Online HVAC Schools Chesapeake OH

How to Find the Right Heating and Cooling Degree Program near Chesapeake Ohio

air conditioner condensers in Chesapeake OHOnce you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioner specialist, the next step is to look for an HVAC vocational school near Chesapeake OH. But with so many to select from, how do you choose the ideal one to obtain the training that you require? Many potential students will make their decision based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Even though these are significant factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. 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 other criteria will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to pick an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and cooling technician does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Professional

Chesapeake OH HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs 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 every state and regional municipality has its own prerequisites. Obtaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative means for Chesapeake OH HVAC specialists to prove that they are exceptionally proficient and experienced in their area of expertise. There are several respected certifications within the field that are available. Following are some 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 received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience along with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be required in your area, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s important that you choose an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make certain that the program you decide on prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Classes

radiator heater in Chesapeake OH homeThere are a variety of choices offered for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the lesser amount of time, typically completed in just six months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will qualify you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs can provide a competitive edge in the job market and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a brief description of each option offered near Chesapeake OH.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more detailed background of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring two years to finish, some degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more towards 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 being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Picking the ideal credential program will be based on what your long term career aspirations are, as well as the time and money that you have to invest. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the field in Chesapeake OH, subsequently going back to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Chesapeake OH student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC school online is one option in attaining your education and earning a certificate or degree. Almost all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical 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 approach may be a more convenient solution for many Chesapeake OH students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Chesapeake and study materials can be reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your career or family responsibilities have left you with little time to attend classes, perhaps an HVAC online training program will make it easier to accommodate school into your hectic lifestyle.

Questions For HVAC Certification Courses

Questions to ask Chesapeake OH HVAC training schoolsAfter you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you would like to earn, either on campus or online, you can start to limit your list of schools. As you are certainly aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Chesapeake OH area and across the USA to choose from. That’s why it is imperative to have a list of important qualifiers when making school evaluations. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will most likely be the initial two aspects you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC trade programs in the Chesapeake OH area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They can acquire Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which relates to an individual program, for example 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 make certain that you acquire a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states require that the HVAC training program be accredited in order 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 or portion of students who enroll in and finish the course. A low completion rate might suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. It might also indicate that the teachers were not qualified 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 directory of alumni, which can mean 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 an excellent reputation within the industry, but additionally that it has the network of Chesapeake OH HVAC employers to help students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC technical 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 companies or trade unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring partnerships with local Chesapeake OH HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies 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 presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, talk to the HVAC specialist you are working with regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Chesapeake OH HVAC contractor if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally keep in mind that unless you can relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Chesapeake OH home. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added relocation costs there can be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much one-on-one instruction as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with some of the students and get their opinions regarding class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to some of the instructors and find out what their level of experience is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Chesapeake OH, check that the schools you are considering provide those choices. If you can only attend part-time, 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 due to work, sickness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Chesapeake OH?

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

Chesapeake, Ohio

A bridge across the Ohio River connects Chesapeake to Huntington's downtown area. At one time, this was the only bridge connection across the Ohio River linking Ohio to Huntington. In recent years, bridges across the Ohio River connecting Ohio to Huntington's East and West sides have been built.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.56 square miles (1.45 km2), of which 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km2) is water.[1]

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 745 people, 345 households, and 195 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,585.1 inhabitants per square mile (612.0/km2). There were 399 housing units at an average density of 848.9 per square mile (327.8/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.8% White, 0.5% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

Online HVAC Schools Chesapeake OH

Picking the right HVAC training course is an important beginning toward a rewarding career in the heating and cooling trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Online HVAC Schools. However, as we have discussed in this post, you need to select an Heating and Cooling school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to search for are sufficient hands-on training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools in person 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 training and the interaction between them. In addition, inquire about scheduling options and whether night or weekend classes are available if needed. And remember to inquire about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have detailed in our checklist for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the right training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC contractor in Chesapeake OH.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Ohio

  • HVAC Certification Courses Online Apple Creek OH
  • HVAC Certificate Programs Crestline OH
  • HVAC Classes Online Burbank OH
  • HVAC Technician Training Online Forest OH
  • Degree Air Conditioning East Liverpool OH
  • Industrial HVAC Training Piqua OH
  • Air Conditioning Schools Campbell OH
  • Top Heating and Air Conditioning Training Schools Mansfield OH
  • HVAC Service Technician Training Northwood OH
  • Training HVAC Technician Jefferson OH
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 15

    Dodrill Heating & Cooling
    5 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Home Energy Auditors, Insulation Installation
    Phone:
    420 Old Goff Mountain Rd, Charleston, WV 25313

    Black's Heating, Cooling & Commercial Refrigeration
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    610 Richmond St, Huntington, WV 25702

    Absten & Sons
    1 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    13465 Winfield Rd, Winfield, WV 25213

    Ashworth Heating & Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1439 Johns Creek Rd, Milton, WV 25541

    DH Jones & Son
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Contractors
    Phone:
    12599 Coal River Rd, Saint Albans, WV 25177

    Lucas Tri State Heating & Cooling
    2 Reviews
    Plumbing
    Phone:
    2523 3rd Ave, Huntington, WV 25703

    Stacy's Refrigeration Service
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1105 Oak St, Kenova, WV 25530

    General Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1401 Argillite Rd, Flatwoods, KY 41139

    TR Johnson & Son
    7 Reviews
    Plumbing
    Phone:
    640 8th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701

    Sears Parts & Repair Center
    1 Reviews
    Appliances & Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electronics Repair
    Phone:
    100 Huntington Mall, Barboursville, WV 25504