Don’t find out the hard way that the person who installed or serviced your AC or furnace was not a professional HVAC tech after all. Anyone with a toolbox and a truck might well claim to be qualified to handle the job. The fact is, however, that today’s cooling and heating units incorporate advanced technology. This requires both formal technical training as well as on-the-job experience to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.

Fortunately, you can eliminate these unknowns by verifying that the person coming into your home is a professionally trained and certified HVAC tech. Keep reading to learn some of the ways to make sure you’ve made contact with a certified HVAC tech.

In-House Training Facility – Manufacturer Training – Community College Apprentice Program

Many of the larger professional HVAC companies have added an In-House Training Facility and full time trainer. This includes classroom and online courses, onsite hands-on training sessions as well as on the job training. These companies also incorporate ongoing training for their entire service team to keep them abreast of the newest in technology and service trends. HVAC manufactures also offer training programs that cater to their specific brand. Another great program is the Community College Apprentice Program where the student earns a salary while they learn at a state-of-the-art facility and also gain on-the-job training.

Environmental Protection Agency Certification

The EPA requires certification of HVAC technicians that handle air-conditioning refrigerants, including the widely utilized R-22 and R-410. Known as EPA 608 Certification, it allows only certified technicians to purchase or use these refrigerants that are common in AC installation and repair.

State and Local Requirements

Many states, counties, and municipalities impose licensing requirements for persons performing HVAC work.  State or local licenses indicate that an HVAC technician has met the requirements for doing work in your geographical area. To qualify for a license, technicians may be required to show proof of a certain amount of relevant job experience. In some cases, a certain amount of formal technical training and education may also be required. Any HVAC technician or company you deal with should hold the appropriate licensing from state or local agencies.

For all your HVAC needs, contact the professionals at Jackson & Sons.