Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Courses near Springdale AR 72762

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Schools Springdale AR

How to Find the Right Heating and Cooling School near Springdale Arkansas

air conditioner condensers in Springdale ARNow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next action is to find an HVAC vocational school near Springdale AR. But with so many to select from, how do you select the ideal one to obtain the training that you need? Some prospective students will make their choice based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Although these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to evaluate. A few 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 discussed in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to select an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and cooling professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Tech

Springdale AR HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, maintenance and repair of air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are commonly required to be licensed, though each state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not compulsory, but a voluntary means for Springdale AR HVAC technicians to prove that they are exceptionally qualified and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are many acknowledged certifications within the industry that are available. Here are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a competency exam and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are provided in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing could be required in your area, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s essential that you select an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you decide on readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Training Programs

radiator heater in Springdale AR homeThere are several choices available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the lesser amount of time, typically completed in as little as 6 months, although some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief explanation of each credential offered near Springdale AR.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC technicians. They provide a solid foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more exhaustive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally taking 2 years to complete, a number of degrees include 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 require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the ideal credential program will be based on what your long term career goals are, in addition to the time and money that you have to commit. One approach is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Springdale AR, eventually returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Courses Online

Springdale AR student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one alternative in obtaining your training and receiving a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part in hands on training. A number also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes can be participated in via the internet, this option may be a more practical solution for some Springdale AR students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less costly than other traditional choices. Even driving expenses from Springdale and study supplies can be lessened, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family commitments have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an HVAC online training program will make it easier to fit school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Courses

Questions to ask Springdale AR HVAC training schoolsOnce you have selected the type of certificate or degree that you would like to attain, either on campus or online, you can begin to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Springdale AR area and across the USA to choose from. That’s why it is imperative to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the first 2 aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical schools in the Springdale AR area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Make sure that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you acquire a quality education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might signify that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also indicate that the teachers were not qualified to train the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive list of graduates, which can produce more contacts for the school to employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Springdale AR HVAC employers to help students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC vocational programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or trade unions. Find out if the schools you are considering have referring partnerships with local Springdale AR HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the equipment 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, talk to the HVAC technician you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Springdale AR HVAC contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Springdale AR residence. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be higher 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 monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and instructors. Speak with some of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with some of the teachers and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are evaluating are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes at night or on weekends near Springdale AR, check that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Springdale AR?

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

Springdale, Arkansas

Springdale is the fourth-largest city in Arkansas, United States. It is located in both Washington and Benton counties in Northwest Arkansas. Located on the Springfield Plateau deep in the Ozark Mountains, Springdale has long been an important industrial city for the region.[5] In addition to several trucking companies, the city is home to the world headquarters of Tyson Foods, the world's largest meat producing company.[6] Originally named Shiloh, the city changed its name to Springdale when applying for a post office in 1872.[5] The four-county Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area is ranked 109th in terms of population in the United States with 463,204 in 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau. The city had a population of 69,797 at the 2010 Census.[7]

Springdale has been experiencing a population boom in recent years, as indicated by a 133% growth in population between the 1990 and 2010 censuses.[5] During this period of rapid growth, the city has seen a new Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, the establishment of a Springdale campus of Northwest Arkansas Community College and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals minor league baseball team move into Arvest Ballpark. Tyson remains the city's top employer, and is visible throughout the city. Many public features bear the Tyson name, including the Randal Tyson Recreational Complex, Don Tyson Parkway, Helen Tyson Middle School, John Tyson Elementary and Don Tyson School of Innovation. Governor Mike Beebe signed an act into law recognizing Springdale as "The Poultry Capital Of The World" in 2013.[1][2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 108.9 square miles (282 km2), of which, 108.3 square miles (280 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it, or 0.62%, is water.[7] The city limits extend north into southern Benton County. Springdale is bordered by the cities of Cave Springs, Lowell, and Bethel Heights to the north, by Elm Springs and Tontitown to the west, and by Johnson and Fayetteville to the south.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Schools Springdale AR

Enrolling in the right HVAC training course is a critical first step toward a gratifying career in the heating & cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, you should choose an Heating and Cooling technical school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC community. Other features to look for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You should visit each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to tour the campus and talk with both the current students and faculty. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling options and if night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the right 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 proper training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC contractor in Springdale AR.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Arkansas

  • Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning Courses Forrest City AR
  • HVAC Online Degree Marshall AR
  • Trade Schools for HVAC Corning AR
  • HVAC Programs London AR
  • Learn Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Danville AR
  • Online HVAC School Poplar Grove AR
  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Schools Blytheville AR
  • HVAC Class Lepanto AR
  • How to Choose HVAC Training Courses Huntsville AR
  • Air Conditioning Courses Online Warren AR
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 53

    Clayburn HVACR
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    17857 E Hwy 412, Ste 9, Springdale, AR 72764

    Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric
    19 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Electricians
    Phone:
    280 N Maestri Rd, Springdale, AR 72762

    My Guys' HVAC
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Bentonville, AR 72712

    Air Control
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2114 Dime Dr, Springdale, AR 72764

    Absolute Heat & Air
    1 Reviews
    Insulation Installation, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Home Automation
    Phone:
    1083 E Lowell Ave, Cave Springs, AR 72718

    BurtonWright Mechanical
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1800 S Stirman Ave, Suite 900, Fayetteville, AR 72701

    Brinker Heating & Cooling Services
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2202 S 43rd St, Springdale, AR 72762

    Mayes Plumbing & Heating
    5 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Septic Services
    Phone:
    Springdale, AR 72762

    Sturdivant's Heating & Air Conditioning
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    101 Butterfield Coach Rd, Springdale, AR 72764

    Franklin Heating and Air
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    5301 Bleaux Ave, Ste B, Springdale, AR 72762