Schools for HVAC Maricopa AZ

How to Enroll In the Right HVAC Program near Maricopa Arizona

air conditioner condensers in Maricopa AZOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner specialist, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Maricopa AZ. But with so many to pick from, how do you choose the ideal one to obtain the training that you need? Some prospective students will make their selection based entirely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Although these are important considerations, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Some of the other things that you need to research are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and other benchmarks will be discussed in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to select an HVAC trade school, let’s look at what a heating and air conditioning contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Specialist

Maricopa AZ HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Acquiring professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Maricopa AZ HVAC specialists to prove that they are highly proficient and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are many recognized certifications within the industry that are available. Below are a few of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency 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 together with passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience as well as a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are provided in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for techs that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing may be required in your location, and you may also intend to obtain certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the program you select preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Schools

radiator heater in Maricopa AZ homeThere are a number of options offered for HVAC training in a vocational or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the least period of time, usually completed in just six months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will furnish more extensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief description of each option offered near Maricopa AZ.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They provide a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
  • 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 finish, a number of degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional four year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, together with the time and money that you have to commit. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Maricopa AZ, eventually going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Maricopa AZ student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC program online is one approach in obtaining your education and receiving a degree or certificate. Almost all schools will require some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. A number also offer 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 online, this alternative may be a more practical solution for some Maricopa AZ students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are more economical than other traditional options. Even driving expenses from Maricopa and study supplies can be lessened, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And numerous online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family responsibilities have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to fit school into your busy schedule.

Questions For HVAC Training Programs

Questions to ask Maricopa AZ HVAC training schoolsOnce you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you want to earn, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are a large number of HVAC technical schools in the Maricopa AZ area and throughout the Country to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of important qualifications when making school assessments. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial 2 factors you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC technical schools in the Maricopa AZ area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which involves the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Confirm 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 obtain an excellent education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are reviewing what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It could also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Maricopa AZ HVAC employers to help grads secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling contractors or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have referring partnerships with local Maricopa AZ HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are up-to-date and what you will be using on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Maricopa AZ HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Maricopa AZ residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk to a few of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Maricopa AZ, check that the programs you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Maricopa AZ?

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

Maricopa, Arizona

Maricopa is a city in the Gila River Valley in Arizona. With an estimated 50,024 residents as of 2018[2], Maricopa is the second most populous incorporated city in Pinal County and eighteenth most populous in Arizona.[4] Maricopa forms part of the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Maricopa has had three locations over the years: Maricopa Wells, Maricopaville and Maricopa Junction; the latter gradually became known as Maricopa. It started as an oasis around a series of watering holes eight miles north of present-day Maricopa, and about a mile west of Pima Butte. European-American traders and travelers called it Maricopa Wells. Several of Arizona’s rivers, the Gila, Santa Cruz, Vekol and Santa Rosa provided this oasis in the desert with an ample supply of water during this period of time.

During the late 1800s, Maricopa Wells was one of the most important relay stations along the San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line and the later more famous Butterfield Overland Mail Route. Although little remains of this once bustling community, it played an important part in the progress and development of the Southwest. It was one of the best-known spots in Arizona during this period of time because it had a reliable source of water, and offered an abundant supply of food. The peaceful Pima and Maricopa farmers who lived and farmed nearby sold supplies to travelers and migrants.

Schools for HVAC Maricopa AZ

Choosing the ideal HVAC school course is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating and cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Schools for HVAC. However, as we have discussed in this post, you need to pick an HVAC training program and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other factors to search for are sufficient practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options also. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC professional in Maricopa AZ.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arizona

  • Air Conditioner Schools Snowflake AZ
  • HVAC Training Program Miami AZ
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Training Seligman AZ
  • Air Conditioning Schools Duncan AZ
  • School for HVAC Technician Lake Montezuma AZ
  • HVAC Online Degree Camp Verde AZ
  • Air Conditioning School Online Safford AZ
  • Air Conditioning Repair School Many Farms AZ
  • HVAC Class Online Waddell AZ
  • Hands On HVAC Training Wickenburg AZ
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 824

    Airsurance LLC
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Maricopa, AZ 85138

    Alternative Air Heating & Cooling
    13 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Maricopa, AZ 85139

    911 Air Repair
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    20625 N Ancon Ave, Maricopa, AZ 85139

    Arizona's Dukes of Air
    431 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    6938 E Parkway Norte, Mesa, AZ 85212

    AirTime Cooling and Heating
    69 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Chandler, AZ 85286

    Terrys AC And Refrigeration
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    Maricopa, AZ 85138

    Society's Air
    10 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    41256 W Rio Bravo Dr, Maricopa, AZ 85138

    The Cool Guy
    7 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Maricopa, AZ 85138

    Thermo King Heating & Cooling
    5 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    19598 Ricardo Way, Maricopa, AZ 85138

    Bumble Bee Air Conditioning
    75 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1004 East Vista Del Cerro Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281