HVAC Training Programs Burkburnett TX

How to Find the Right HVAC Training Program near Burkburnett Texas

air conditioner condensers in Burkburnett TXNow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and cooling professional, the next action is to look for an HVAC vocational school near Burkburnett TX. But with so many to select from, how do you select the ideal one to obtain the training that you need? Some future students will make their decision based entirely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. While these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other factors that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other criteria will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we examine how to choose an HVAC vocational school, let’s look at what a heating and air conditioning professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Pro

Burkburnett TX HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are typically mandated to be licensed, however each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not mandatory, but a voluntary means for Burkburnett TX HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are exceptionally skilled and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are a number of respected certifications within the field that are offered. Below are a few of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved by passing a competency examination and may be earned in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are provided in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three types of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing could be required in your location, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s important that you choose an HVAC vocational school that will prepare you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you pick readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Schools

radiator heater in Burkburnett TX homeThere are a variety of alternatives available for HVAC instruction in a technical or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the least period of time, often accomplished in as little as 6 months, though some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs can provide a competitive edge in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a short summary of each option offered near Burkburnett TX.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They furnish a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more extensive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally taking 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 suited more for a career in management as well as 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 future career aspirations are, along with the time and money that you have to commit. One option is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Burkburnett TX, later returning to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Burkburnett TX student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC school online is one option to obtaining your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Nearly all schools will require some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. Some also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes can be attended on the web, this option may be a more accessible solution for many Burkburnett TX students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus alternatives. Even driving expenses from Burkburnett and study materials can be reduced, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Training Classes

Questions to ask Burkburnett TX HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you wish to obtain, either online or on campus, you can begin to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Burkburnett TX area and throughout the United States to choose from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of important qualifications when making school assessments. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you need to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational programs in the Burkburnett TX area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping ensure that you receive a superior education, it may assist in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A low completion rate could suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also indicate that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which may result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of Burkburnett TX HVAC employers to assist students obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC technical programs are taught in conjunction with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are comparing have working relationships with local Burkburnett TX HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing practical training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Burkburnett TX HVAC contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Burkburnett TX home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are reviewing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Burkburnett TX, verify that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, ask what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Burkburnett TX?

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

Burkburnett, Texas

Burkburnett is a city in Wichita County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Wichita Falls, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,811 at the 2010 census. The community newspaper, the Burkburnett Informer/Star, is published each Thursday.

Originally settled by ranchers as early as 1856, this community was known by some locals as Nesterville. By 1880, the town had a small store with a population of 132. From 1882 until 1903, a post office operated there under the designation Gilbert, named after the North Texas pioneer Mabel Gilbert. In 1906, a nearby wealthy rancher named Samuel Burk Burnett sold more than 16,000 acres (65 km²) of his land in northern Wichita County to a group of investors who were seeking to extend into the wheat-growing area of Western Oklahoma the Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway, one of the Frank Kell/Joseph A. Kemp properties based in Wichita Falls.[4]

Within Burnett's former land near the railroad, lots were auctioned off the following year and a post office was established. The town was named Burkburnett by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who visited the area for a wolf hunt that was hosted by the wealthy rancher Burnett.[5] In 1912, oil was discovered west of the town, attracting thousands to the area, and by 1918, about 20,000 people had settled around the oilfield. This part of the town's history was chronicled in the film, Boom Town with Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. The Great Depression had a negative impact on the town's population, which was boosted again in 1941 as Sheppard Air Force Base was established nearby.

HVAC Training Programs Burkburnett TX

Selecting the right HVAC school program is a critical beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Training Programs. However, as we have discussed in this post, you should pick an HVAC trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC trade. Other features 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 inspect the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Burkburnett TX.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Texas

  • Training HVAC Technician Gillett TX
  • Air Conditioner Diploma Course Garden City TX
  • HVAC Online Course Itasca TX
  • How to Choose HVAC Training Programs Rockdale TX
  • HVAC Training and Certification Strawn TX
  • HVAC Tech School Jasper TX
  • HVAC Course Cost Porter TX
  • Air Conditioner Training College Station TX
  • HVAC Associates Degree Laredo TX
  • HVAC Service Technician Schools Angleton TX
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 14

    Ellett Air Conditioning & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    613 S Red River Expy, Burkburnett, TX 76354

    Shawn's Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Contractors, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    901 Aztec Dr, Burkburnett, TX 76354

    Dalorem Heating & Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1630 Kell Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

    Mike Graham Heating And Air Conditioning And Plumbing
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Insulation Installation
    Phone:
    910 Dana Dr, Burkburnett, TX 76354

    Guyette Air Conditioning & Heating Company
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1331 Sunset Dr, Iowa Park, TX 76367

    Redhawk HVAC Services
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3130 Northeast Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76306

    James Lane Air Conditioning and Plumbing
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection Services
    Phone:
    5024 Jacksboro Hwy, Wichita Falls, TX 76302

    Quality Glass Company
    4 Reviews
    Auto Glass Services, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    501 Burnett St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301

    Absolute Comfort
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3512 Mcniel Ave, Wichita Falls, TX 76308

    Evans Doug Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1314 Kell Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76301