Many heating and air conditioning companies advertise that their technicians are certified. However, few consumers know exactly what HVAC certified actually means. To become certified, the technician undergoes training and then proves his or her level of knowledge through a standardized examination.
HVAC Certifications
Several professional society and trade organizations provide certification for heating and air conditioning technicians. These organizations include:
NATE
The North American Technical Excellence organization is the largest certification body for heating, air conditioning and ventilation, or “HVAC,” technicians. Refrigeration is also included as an area of study. Therefore, the acronym is sometimes stated as “HVAC-R.” The non-profit organization was founded in 1997with the mission of standardizing the skills within the industry. Technicians earn certification in installation and service of equipment by taking one or more of the following exams:
– Air Conditioning
– Air Distribution
– Oil Furnaces
– Gas Furnaces
– Hydronics Oil
– Hydronics Gas
– Heat Pumps
– Commercial Refrigeration
– Ground Source Heat Pump Installation
– Commercial Refrigeration
– Light Commercial Refrigeration
– Senior Efficiency Analyst
NATE certification is the most popular and widely attained certification in the industry. When a heating and air conditioning company indicates that all technicians are NATE-certified, the technicians have proven their skills by taking one or more of these exams.
HVAC Excellence
This non-profit organization was founded in 1994 with the same objectives as NATE. The certification process and the areas of study are similar to those utilized by NATE, though this organization covers the Electrical aspects of heating and air conditioning with separate examinations. The certifications are the second-most popular among employers and technicians.
Both of the major certification agencies are accredited, with proven acceptance among the heating and air conditioning industry. Other, lesser known certifications are available, as well. HVACCertificate.com and Ed2Go, among others, provide an online certification training and exams that are not accredited, nor have they gained universal acceptance in the industry. The two major certification bodies are the accepted industry standards.
The Value of Certification
When you hire a technician who is certified by one of the major accredited organizations, you know that the technician has proven his or her proficiency in servicing and/or installing heating, air conditioning, ventilation or refrigeration equipment. When all technicians who represent a company are certified, you know that the company highly values proven skill and ability in its employees. To ensure you receive the highest quality service, contract with a company that insists on hiring only certified technicians.
Gentry Service Group upholds the highest standards in the industry for our employees. Gentry Service Group hires only highly skilled, certified technicians. All Gentry technicians are NATE certified and will provide you with the highest quality of service. In addition, our technicians are insured, licensed and bonded. Gentry provides residential and commercial service, equipment installation and maintenance for the greater Swannanoa area and surrounding communities. Our company has served these communities since 1963. Gentry also offers duct cleaning service and maintenance agreements. Keep your system in peak operating order with an annual system tune-up. Call today to schedule your tune-up.
