HVAC Tech School Eleele HI

How to Enroll In the Right HVAC Degree Program near Eleele Hawaii

air conditioner condensers in Eleele HIOnce you have decided on a career as a heating and cooling specialist, the next step is to find an HVAC vocational school near Eleele HI. But with so many to pick from, how do you choose the best one to get the training that you require? A number of future students will make their decision based exclusively on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their residence. While these are significant concerns, they are not the only ones to take into account. Just some 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 other benchmarks will be addressed in more detail later in this article. But before we explore how to choose an HVAC vocational school, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning contractor does to become a licensed skilled tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Professional

Eleele HI HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is extensively used in the industry that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs specialize in the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Obtaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative means for Eleele HI HVAC technicians to establish that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are a number of respected certifications within the field that are available. Below are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a competency examination 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 professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive exam are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience as well as a passing result on the professional level examination. As with NATE, certifications are provided in several specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is mandatory for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be mandated in your location, and you may also desire to earn certification, it’s imperative that you pick an HVAC technical school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the school you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Classes

radiator heater in Eleele HI homeThere are several alternatives offered for HVAC instruction in a trade or technical school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the least period of time, usually completed in as little as 6 months, however some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification relevant to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will provide more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each credential offered near Eleele HI.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more extensive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to finish, a number of degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more towards a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your long term career objectives are, in addition to the time and money that you have to commit. One option is to begin with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Eleele HI, subsequently returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Schools Online

Eleele HI student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC school online is one option in obtaining your training and receiving a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. A number also sponsor internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the remainder of the classes can be participated in on the web, this alternative may be a more practical solution for many Eleele HI students that are pressed for time. And many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even commuting expenses from Eleele and study materials may be minimized, helping to make schooling more affordable. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family responsibilities have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it easier to accommodate school into your hectic schedule.

Questions to Ask HVAC Schools

Questions to ask Eleele HI HVAC training schoolsOnce you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you wish to earn, either on campus or online, you can start to decrease your selection of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are many HVAC vocational schools in the Eleele HI area and all over the United States to pick from. That’s why it is essential to have a list of important qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will most likely be the initial two aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you need to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC technical programs in the Eleele HI area have acquired either a regional or a national accreditation. They may acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Verify that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization, which includes the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you obtain an excellent education, it can assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases unavailable for non-accredited programs. Also, many states require that the HVAC training program 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 percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It could also indicate that the instructors were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential 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 utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the trade, but also that it has the network of Eleele HI HVAC employers to help graduates obtain apprenticeships or employment.

Apprenticeship Programs.  A large number of HVAC vocational programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and trade schools 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 considering have working partnerships with local Eleele HI HVAC professionals. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by supplying hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the school facilities and the equipment that you will be instructed 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, talk to the HVAC tech you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Eleele HI HVAC contracting company if they can give you some tips. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are able to relocate, the school must be within commuting distance of your Eleele HI home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there may be increased tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much one-on-one training as possible, which can be difficult in larger classes. Ask if you can monitor a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with some of the students and get their comments relating to class sizes and instruction. Last, speak to some of the teachers and learn what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Eleele HI, confirm that the programs you are comparing provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Additionally, ask what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Eleele HI?

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

Eleele, Hawaii

ʻEleʻele (literally, "black" or "black water" in Hawaiian[1]) is a census-designated place (CDP) on the island of Kauaʻi in Kauaʻi County, Hawaiʻi, United States, with the ZIP code of 96705. Glass Beach, that is made of sea glass, is a local attraction. The population was 2,390 at the 2010 census.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) of it (18.63%) is water.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,040 people, 626 households, and 500 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,463.5 people per square mile (949.0/km²). There were 652 housing units at an average density of 787.4 per square mile (303.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 9.5% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 61.8% Asian, 5.3% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 22.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.2% of the population.

HVAC Tech School Eleele HI

Selecting the right HVAC training course is an important first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding HVAC Tech School. However, as we have discussed in this article, you should pick an HVAC trade school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to look for are lots of hands-on training and modern facilities. You should check out each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the teaching 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 assistance and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for comparing 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 commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC specialist in Eleele HI.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Hawaii

  • Online HVAC Degree Kihei HI
  • HVAC Online Courses Hickam Afb HI
  • HVAC Associates Degree Waianae HI
  • HVAC Training Cost Haiku HI
  • How To Become a HVAC Technician Makawao HI
  • Air Conditioning Classes Kailua Kona HI
  • Learning HVAC Kealakekua HI
  • Air Conditioning Courses Kilauea HI
  • HVAC Online Classes Waikoloa HI
  • HVAC Training Classes Captain Cook HI
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 8

    Island Wide HVAC
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3-2600 Kaumualii Hwy, Ste 1300, Lihue, HI 96766

    Aloha Fix It
    6 Reviews
    Appliances & Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Koloa, HI 96756

    Cool It Kauai Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Kapaa, HI 96746

    Kauai Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1702 Haleukana St, Lihue, HI 96746

    AC R Solutions
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    6137 Kolo Pua St, Kapaa, HI 96746

    Island Comfort
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4337 Rice St, Lihue, HI 96766

    Rutan Refrigeration
    7 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    3148 Oihana St, Ste 14, Lihue, HI 96766

    Continental Mechanical of the Pacific Fbs Hawaii
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2146 Puuhale Pl, Honolulu, HI 96819