Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Trade Schools near Washington MI 48094

Heating and Air Conditioning Classes Washington MI

How to Pick the Right Heating and Cooling Certificate Program near Washington Michigan

air conditioner condensers in Washington MIOnce you have made a decision on a career as a heating and cooling technician, the next action is to look for an HVAC vocational school near Washington MI. But with so many to choose from, how do you select the best one to get the training that you require? Many prospective students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. While these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. Some of the other details that you need to research are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and additional criteria will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we examine how to select an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and cooling specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Technician

Washington MI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, although each state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Acquiring professional certification is not required, but an optional means for Washington MI HVAC technicians to establish that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are several recognized certifications within the trade that are offered. Below are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a competency exam and may be earned in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience as well as a passing result on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be mandated in your location, and you may also intend to acquire certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC vocational school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be handling refrigerants, make certain that the school you pick preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Courses

radiator heater in Washington MI homeThere are several alternatives offered for HVAC instruction in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the lesser period of time, often accomplished in as little as six months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will provide more extensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short description of each credential offered near Washington MI.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more extensive background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to finish, some degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be based on what your future career aspirations are, in addition to the time and financial resources 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 field in Washington MI, eventually going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Training Online

Washington MI student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one possibility to obtaining your education and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in practical training. Some also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes can be participated in on the web, this option may be a more practical solution for many Washington MI students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even travelling expenses from Washington and study supplies can be reduced, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And numerous online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family responsibilities have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic schedule.

Questions For HVAC Training Programs

Questions to ask Washington MI HVAC training schoolsWhen you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you would like to attain, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Washington MI area and all over the United States to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of key qualifications when making school comparisons. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the initial 2 variables you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC technical schools in the Washington MI area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping make certain that you acquire an excellent education, it may help in securing financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also mean that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader directory of graduates, which may produce more contacts for the school to employ 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 trade, but also that it has the network of Washington MI HVAC employers to help graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling contractors or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with local Washington MI HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Washington MI HVAC contractor if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Washington MI home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk to several of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Washington MI, verify that the schools you are comparing provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Washington MI?

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

Washington Township, Macomb County, Michigan

Washington Charter Township, located within Metro Detroit, is a charter township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 25,139 at the 2010 census. The suburb of Washington Township is bordered by the village of Romeo as well as Ray Township, Shelby Township, and Oakland Township and is 18 miles north of Detroit. The historic Octagon House and Stony Creek Metro Park are popular destinations for visitors.

The Township has a Supervisor-Board style township government with elected supervisor, clerk, treasurer and four trustees. School district serving the Township residents are Romeo Community Schools and Utica Community Schools and Rochester Schools from Oakland County.[9]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.8 square miles (95.3 km²), of which 36.0 square miles (93.1 km²) is land and 0.9 square mile (2.2 km²) (2.34%) is water.

Heating and Air Conditioning Classes Washington MI

Selecting the right HVAC training course is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the heating & cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Heating and Air Conditioning Classes. However, as we have covered in this article, you should select an Heating and Cooling training program and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC field. Other things to search for are ample practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the right questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Washington MI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Michigan

  • HVAC Courses Programs Conklin MI
  • HVAC Certification Courses Online East Lansing MI
  • HVAC Colleges Vassar MI
  • Schools for HVAC Iron River MI
  • HVAC Technician School Standish MI
  • What Is HVAC Training Watervliet MI
  • HVAC Training Online Drayton Plains MI
  • How To Become an HVAC Technician Tecumseh MI
  • HVAC Training Cost Goodells MI
  • Colleges That Offer HVAC Oxford MI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 317

    Main Heating & Cooling
    14 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    5650 Jamestown Rd, Shelby Charter Township, MI 48317

    McCarver Mechanical Heating and Cooling
    72 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    32486 Dequindre, Warren, MI 48092

    Dedicated Mechanical
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    46711 Vandyke, Shelby Charter Township, MI 48317

    Noble Heating and Cooling
    25 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    95 W Square Lake Rd, Troy, MI 48098

    Prime Time Heating and Cooling
    43 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    36953 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

    Active Energy Engineering
    4 Reviews
    Insulation Installation, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Home Energy Auditors
    Phone:
    49964 Becher Dr W, Macomb, MI 48044

    Pilot Mechanical Heating and Cooling
    8 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    1025 John R Rd, Rochester, MI 48307

    Ferrara Heating & Air Conditioning
    5 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    33070 Venetian Pointe Dr, Harrison Township,, MI 48045

    Johnson Heating and Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    59363 Van Dyke, Ste 2, Washington, MI 48094

    R&R Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    58818 Lind Rd, Washington Township, MI 48094