Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Trade Schools near Boise ID 83701

Heating and Air Conditioning Training Boise ID

How to Select the Right HVAC Training Program near Boise Idaho

air conditioner condensers in Boise IDNow that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Boise ID. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the ideal one to receive the training that you require? A number of future students will make their choice based entirely on the price of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Although these are necessary concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. A few of the other factors that you need to look into are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional criteria will be covered in more detail later within this article. But before we tackle how to choose an HVAC technical school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c specialist does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Professional

Boise ID HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Attaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative means for Boise ID HVAC techs to prove that they are highly skilled and experienced in their area of expertise. There are multiple acknowledged certifications within the industry that are offered. Below are a few of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is attained by passing a competency exam and can be earned 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 needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience together with a passing result on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for techs that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing could be required in your location, and you may also intend to acquire certification, it’s important that you select an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will most likely be handling refrigerants, make sure that the school you select preps you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Courses

radiator heater in Boise ID homeThere are a number of options offered 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 minimum amount of time, typically accomplished in as little as 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree programs may provide a competitive edge in the job market and will furnish more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short description of each credential offered near Boise ID.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a solid foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more detailed understanding of heating and a/c systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to complete, a number of degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 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 future career objectives are, as well as the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Boise ID, later returning to earn 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 Schools Online

Boise ID student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC school online is one option in getting your education and earning a certificate or degree. Most schools will require some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. A number also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes may be participated in online, this alternative may be a more practical solution for some Boise ID students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even commuting expenses from Boise 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 online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Training Classes

Questions to ask Boise ID HVAC training schoolsAfter you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you desire to attain, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are numerous HVAC trade schools in the Boise ID area and throughout the USA to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a list of important qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier stated in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will probably be the initial 2 factors you will look at. Following are several additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs in the Boise ID area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping ensure that you obtain an excellent education, it can help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Also, many states require that the HVAC training course 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 percentage or portion of students who enroll in and finish the program. A lower completion rate could indicate that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It may also mean that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly important that the schools have high 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 employ for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the industry, but also that it has the network of Boise ID HVAC employers to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Numerous HVAC training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have working partnerships with local Boise ID HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by furnishing practical training, but it also provides job opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC specialist you are working under concerning what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Boise ID HVAC contractor if they can give you some tips. Also bear in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Boise ID home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there might be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much personalized training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can see how big they are and witness first hand the interaction between instructors and students. Talk with some of the students and get their opinions relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are assessing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Boise ID, verify that the schools you are comparing offer those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Additionally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Boise ID?

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

Boise, Idaho

Boise (/ˈbɔɪsi/ (listen)[4]) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, and is the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, the population of Boise at the 2010 Census was 205,671, the 99th largest in the United States. Its estimated population in 2016 was 223,154.[5]

The Boise-Nampa metropolitan area, also known as the Treasure Valley, includes five counties with a combined population of 709,845, the most populous metropolitan area in Idaho. It contains the state's three largest cities; Boise, Nampa, and Meridian. Boise is the 80th most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States.

Accounts differ regarding the origin of the name. One account credits Capt. B.L.E. Bonneville of the U.S. Army as its source. After trekking for weeks through dry and rough terrain, his exploration party reached an overlook with a view of the Boise River Valley. The place where they stood is called Bonneville Point, located on the Oregon Trail east of the city. According to the story, a French-speaking guide, overwhelmed by the sight of the verdant river, yelled "Les bois! Les bois!" ("The woods! The woods!")—and the name stuck.

Heating and Air Conditioning Training Boise ID

Choosing the right HVAC school course is a crucial beginning toward a fulfilling career in the heating and air conditioning industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Heating and Air Conditioning Training. However, as we have addressed in this article, you need to choose an HVAC trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC field. Other features to search for are plenty of hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to explore the campus and talk with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to inquire about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC contractor in Boise ID.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Idaho

  • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Schools Troy ID
  • HVAC Night School Fairfield ID
  • HVAC Colleges Bliss ID
  • HVAC Certification Course Emmett ID
  • HVAC Class Online New Plymouth ID
  • HVAC Degree Programs Homedale ID
  • HVAC Technician Training Online Montpelier ID
  • Degree Air Conditioning Horseshoe Bend ID
  • Air Conditioning Classes Online Kellogg ID
  • Heating and Cooling Trade Schools Melba ID
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 76

    Capital City Heating & Cooling
    26 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    420 N Curtis Rd, Boise, ID 83706

    Diamond Heating & Cooling
    14 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Environmental Testing
    Phone:
    5090 N Sawyer Ave, Garden City, ID 83714

    SHANCO Heating and Air
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    590 N Maple Grove Rd, Ste 7, Boise, ID 83704

    Snowflake Air
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    585 W Christopher St, Meridian, ID 83642

    Western Heating & Air Conditioning
    20 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4980 Bradley St, Boise, ID 83714

    Flash Heating and Home Repair
    15 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    3016 W Neff St, Boise, ID 83703

    Mac's Idaho Radiator & AC
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4500 W Chinden Blv, Boise, ID 83714

    Tvr
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2925 S Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83709

    Boise Valley Heating & Air
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3114 Rose Hill St, Boise, ID 83705

    Ashley Heating, Air & Water Systems
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    8243 W Westmark St, Boise, ID 83704