Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Courses near Petersburg MI 49270

HVAC Schools Online Petersburg MI

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

air conditioner condensers in Petersburg MINow that 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 Petersburg MI. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide on the ideal one to receive the training that you require? Some prospective students will make their selection based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Even though these are relevant concerns, they are not the only ones to investigate. Just 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. These and additional benchmarks will be discussed 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 professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Professional

Petersburg MI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC professionals specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, although each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Acquiring professional certification is not mandatory, but a voluntary way for Petersburg MI HVAC techs to establish that they are highly proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are a number of respected certifications within the trade 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 earned by passing a competency exam and can be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience together with 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 techs that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing may be required in your area, and you may also desire to obtain certification, it’s imperative that you pick an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the program you select prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Courses

radiator heater in Petersburg MI homeThere are a variety of choices offered for HVAC instruction in a trade or technical school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the minimum period of time, typically completed in as little as 6 months, though 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 edge for securing employment and will furnish more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each option offered near Petersburg MI.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level residential or commercial HVAC specialists. They provide a solid foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program provides a more extensive knowledge of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Typically taking two 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 as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional 4 year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also learn how to design them.

Choosing the appropriate credential program will be based on what your future career aspirations are, together with the time and money that you have to commit. One option is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the trade in Petersburg MI, later going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Courses

Petersburg MI student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one approach to obtaining your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Most schools will require some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Many also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes can be attended on the web, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Petersburg MI students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less costly than other traditional alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Petersburg and study supplies may be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family commitments have left you with minimal 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 Schools

Questions to ask Petersburg MI HVAC training schoolsWhen you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you desire to attain, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Petersburg MI area and all over the USA to pick from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 factors you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you should research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Petersburg MI area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited schools. Also, some states require that the HVAC training program be accredited for it 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 complete the program. A lower completion rate could suggest that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It could also mean 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 broader directory of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Petersburg MI HVAC employers to assist graduates obtain apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC technical programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating trade and vocational schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Petersburg MI HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only provides a valuable experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also supplies job opportunities and helps to build relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC technician you are working under regarding what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Petersburg MI HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to move, the school must be within commuting distance of your Petersburg MI residence. Take note that if you decide to attend 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 important that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Talk with several of the students and get their comments concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to meet your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Petersburg MI, verify that the programs you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Additionally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Petersburg MI?

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

Petersburg, Michigan

Petersburg is named after Richard Peters, who sold the land necessary to found the town in 1836. It was originally called Summerfield and Peters was its first postmaster, but it was later named Petersburgh in honor of Peters and was eventually shortened to Petersburg.[6]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,146 people, 449 households, and 315 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,387.5 inhabitants per square mile (921.8/km2). There were 476 housing units at an average density of 991.7 per square mile (382.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 449 households of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.8% were non-families. 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

HVAC Schools Online Petersburg MI

Choosing the right HVAC school program is a critical beginning toward a fulfilling career in the heating and air conditioning trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Schools Online. However, as we have covered in this article, you need to pick an Heating and Cooling school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other factors to search for are lots of practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and talk with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, inquire about scheduling options and whether or not night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the right questions as we have detailed in our guidelines for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC professional in Petersburg MI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Michigan

  • Air Conditioning Training School Ypsilanti MI
  • HVAC Technician Training Online Bloomfield Hills MI
  • HVAC School Online Sawyer MI
  • Air Conditioner Course Clinton Township MI
  • HVAC Online Training Sandusky MI
  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Course Centreville MI
  • Heating and Refrigeration Courses Owendale MI
  • HVAC Training Remus MI
  • HVAC Tech Training Allen Park MI
  • How to Choose HVAC Training Programs Escanaba MI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 154

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

    Thompson Plumbing & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    170 Petersburg Rd, Petersburg, MI 49270

    Whitcher Plumbing & Heating
    3 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1500 W Maumee St, Adrian, MI 49221

    Crain Heating and Cooling
    28 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    37493 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150

    Aw Newell S&K Plumbing Solutions
    3 Reviews
    Plumbing
    Phone:
    5201 Wells Rd, petersburg, MI 49270

    Cross Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2731 Morocco Rd, Ida, MI 48140

    Brian Johns Heating & Air Conditioning Inc
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    734 Phillips Ave, Toledo, OH 43612

    Air Doctors Heating and Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    Belleville, MI 48111

    Rawlings Heating & Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    9030 Secor Rd, Ste B, Temperance, MI 48182

    A-Team Heating and Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Environmental Testing, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    Ypsilanti, MI 48198