Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Classes near Dardanelle AR 72834

Air Conditioning Program Dardanelle AR

How to Pick the Right Heating and Cooling Training Class near Dardanelle Arkansas

air conditioner condensers in Dardanelle AROnce you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next action is to choose an HVAC trade school near Dardanelle AR. But with so many to choose from, how do you select the right one to get the training that you need? Many potential students will make their choice based solely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. Even though these are important factors to consider, they are not the only ones to investigate. A few of the other details 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. Those and additional benchmarks will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we tackle how to choose an HVAC trade school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c contractor does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Specialist

Dardanelle AR HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively 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 professional tradesmen, they are generally mandated to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Acquiring professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative means for Dardanelle AR HVAC specialists to establish that they are highly skilled and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are multiple respected certifications within the field that are available. 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 examination 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 professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience in addition to a passing score on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are provided in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 types of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing could be required in your location, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s essential that you select an HVAC trade school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make sure that the program you select preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Schools

radiator heater in Dardanelle AR homeThere are a variety of choices offered for HVAC training in a vocational or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the least amount of time, usually completed in just six months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will deliver more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short explanation of each credential offered near Dardanelle AR.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more comprehensive background of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Generally taking 2 years to finish, some degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your long term career goals are, in addition to the time and financial resources that you have to commit. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the field in Dardanelle AR, subsequently going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Dardanelle AR student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC program online is one option to getting your training and receiving a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to participate in hands on training. A number also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be participated in online, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for some Dardanelle AR students that are short on time. And a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other traditional choices. Even commuting expenses from Dardanelle and study supplies can be lessened, helping to make education more budget-friendly. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family responsibilities have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it less complicated to fit school into your busy schedule.

What to Ask HVAC Training Classes

Questions to ask Dardanelle AR HVAC training schoolsAfter you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you would like to attain, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your selection of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are many HVAC technical schools in the Dardanelle AR area and all over the United States to select from. That’s why it is essential to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the first two aspects you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC trade schools in the Dardanelle AR area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance 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 guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it may help in acquiring financial aid 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 in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate might indicate that students were disappointed with the course and dropped out. It might also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to train the students. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list 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 a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Dardanelle AR HVAC employers to assist graduates secure apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC training programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Dardanelle AR HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by supplying practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. Otherwise, ask a local Dardanelle AR HVAC contracting company if they can provide some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Dardanelle AR residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be higher 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 a few of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Speak to some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Dardanelle AR, verify that the programs you are reviewing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make certain that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, 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 Dardanelle AR?

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

Dardanelle, Arkansas

Dardanelle is a city in Yell County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 4,745 at the 2010 census. Along with Danville, it serves as a county seat for Yell County.[4] It is located near Lake Dardanelle.

Dardanelle is one of the oldest cities in the state of Arkansas. Officially incorporated in 1855, Dardanelle celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2005. However, the area had been settled for years before that, first being established as a river town in the mid-18th century. It is Yell County's dual county seat, sharing that title with Danville.

The Treaty of Council Oaks was signed on June 24, 1823 on what is now Front Street beneath two huge oak trees (102 feet high and 400–500 years old). Under orders of President James Monroe, U.S. Army Colonel David Brearly and Arkansas territorial secretary Robert Crittendon met with Chief Black Fox and several Cherokee leaders to determine boundaries. As a result of the treaty, the Cherokees gave up all of their land in Arkansas south of the Arkansas River. One of the trees was destroyed in the early 1990s in a flood, but the other is still standing. The site is now a city park.[6]

Air Conditioning Program Dardanelle AR

Picking the ideal HVAC school program is a crucial beginning toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Air Conditioning Program. However, as we have discussed in this post, you should select an Heating and Cooling trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC profession. Other things to search for are plenty of hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for evaluating 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 ultimately become a licensed HVAC technician in Dardanelle AR.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arkansas

  • School for Air Conditioning Elm Springs AR
  • HVAC Online Schools Plainview AR
  • Air Conditioner Repair Training Dumas AR
  • HVAC Vocational Training Altheimer AR
  • HVAC Certification Online Courses Calico Rock AR
  • Air Conditioner and Heating School Batesville AR
  • HVAC Schooling Mount Holly AR
  • How Long Is HVAC Training Malvern AR
  • HVAC Online Courses Marked Tree AR
  • Diploma in HVAC Dyess AR
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 7

    Arkansas River Valley Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    707 E 4th St, Russellville, AR 72801

    Airtech Heating & Cooling LLC
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Dardanelle, AR 72834

    Dependable Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    3904 S Arkansas Ave, Russellville, AR 72802

    Griffin Electric Heat And Air
    2 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2605 S Knoxville Ave, Russellville, AR 72802

    Rood Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    4810 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801

    Son-Light Electric
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    10 Henry Ct, Russellville, AR 72802

    AR Air Solutions Plus
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Benton, AR 72019