Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Trade Schools near Tekonsha MI 49092

Online HVAC School Tekonsha MI

How to Choose the Right HVAC Training Program near Tekonsha Michigan

air conditioner condensers in Tekonsha MINow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and cooling technician, the next action is to find an HVAC technical school near Tekonsha MI. But with so many to choose from, how do you pick the right one to receive the training that you need? A number of future students will make their decision based solely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. While these are relevant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to investigate. Some of the other factors that you need to investigate are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later in this article. But before we discuss how to select an HVAC trade school, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Professional

Tekonsha MI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is widely used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally mandated to be licensed, although every state and local municipality has its own criteria. Earning professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative means for Tekonsha MI HVAC techs to prove that they are exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are multiple respected certifications within the field that are offered. Below are some of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained by passing a proficiency exam and may be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience together with a passing result on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be required in your location, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make certain that the school you select prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

radiator heater in Tekonsha MI homeThere are a variety of choices available for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the least period of time, often accomplished in just 6 months, although some courses are longer. A certificate will qualify you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree training programs can provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each option offered near Tekonsha MI.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more comprehensive background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Typically requiring two years to complete, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your long term career objectives are, in addition to the time and money that you have to invest. One possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the trade in Tekonsha MI, subsequently returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Schools Online

Tekonsha MI student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC school online is one possibility to getting your training and receiving a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. Many also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes can be attended via the internet, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Tekonsha MI students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even driving expenses from Tekonsha and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more economical. And a large number of online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it less complicated to accommodate school into your active schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Certification Classes

Questions to ask Tekonsha MI HVAC training schoolsOnce you have picked the type of certificate or degree that you desire to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC technical schools in the Tekonsha MI area and throughout the Country to pick from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school evaluations. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the first two factors you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you should explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC trade programs in the Tekonsha MI area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can receive Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Confirm that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, many states require that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate might suggest that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but additionally that it has the network of Tekonsha MI HVAC employers to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are considering have working partnerships with local Tekonsha MI HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC tech you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Tekonsha MI HVAC company if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are able to move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Tekonsha MI home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with a few of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Tekonsha MI, confirm that the programs you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Tekonsha MI?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Tekonsha Michigan area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Tekonsha, Michigan

Tekonsha is a village in Tekonsha Township, Calhoun County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 717 at the 2010 census.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.73 square miles (1.89 km2), of which 0.71 square miles (1.84 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[7]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 717 people, 282 households, and 194 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,009.9 inhabitants per square mile (389.9/km2). There were 312 housing units at an average density of 439.4 per square mile (169.7/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.0% White, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

Online HVAC School Tekonsha MI

Picking the right HVAC school program is a critical beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Online HVAC School. However, as we have discussed in this article, you need to choose an Heating and Cooling training program and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other things to search for are lots of practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and talk with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and if evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and dedication, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC professional in Tekonsha MI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Michigan

  • Air Conditioning Training School Baldwin MI
  • Air Conditioner Classes Burlington MI
  • How To Become a HVAC Technician Hart MI
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Course Dollar Bay MI
  • Diploma in HVAC Otisville MI
  • HVAC Training and Certification Houghton Lake MI
  • School for HVAC Twin Lake MI
  • HVAC Certificate Online Bangor MI
  • Heating and Air School Sterling Heights MI
  • Online HVAC Course Harsens Island MI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 30

    Nottawa Gas Company
    1 Reviews
    Pet Stores, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Propane
    Phone:
    100 US Hwy 27 S, Tekonsha, MI 49092

    Advanced Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    Coldwater, MI 49036

    Eric Dale Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    16969 Burlingame Dr, Marshall, MI 49068

    Griffiths Mechanical
    3 Reviews
    Appliances & Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1250 E Chicago Rd, Jonesville, MI 49250

    Anytime Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Camden, MI 49232

    R & M Service
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    387 E Fenn Rd, Coldwater, MI 49036

    All-Pro Mechanical
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    5929 Soaring Eagle Way, Battle Creek, MI 49014

    A W Crooks Plumbing & Heating
    6 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    7 Grand Blvd, Battle Creek, MI 49015

    Sims Heating & Cooling Service
    2 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    855 Golden Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49014

    Bel-Aire Heating & Air Conditioning
    18 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    781 Lenox Ave, Portage, MI 49024