When it comes to keeping your home comfortable year-round, it's essential to have a reliable HVAC company in Indianapolis. But the quality of work on your home air conditioning unit will ultimately depend on the knowledge and expertise of the technician working in your home. Whether you work with an air conditioning company or an independent contractor, knowing what qualifications to look for and what questions to ask can help you save time, money, and stress in the process. New HVACR technicians usually start by working alongside experienced technicians.
Because HVACR systems have become increasingly complex, employers in general require technicians to have a certain level of experience. Licensing requirements for HVAC professionals vary by state, so it may be beneficial to consider obtaining nationally standardized certifications. Many HVAC professionals gain their knowledge through school programs, which may offer certified degrees with nine months of training. HVAC Excellence is another industry group that offers credible certifications to HVAC technicians. Technicians can obtain certification at the professional level or at the specialized master's level.
For example, professional-level certification requires the technician to have two years of industry experience. This credential also requires the passing of a comprehensive exam in areas such as residential air conditioning or heat pumps. Specialized master's certification requires three years of field experience and the passing of the professional level exam. The basic expectation should be that the technician has a certification from the Environmental Protection Agency. It's even better if the technician has a North American Technical Excellence Certification (NATE), which requires ongoing training and testing of industry knowledge and best practices.
Certification according to the ACCA QI standard can be obtained in the design of residential air conditioning systems or in light commercial air conditioning system designs. HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration” and qualified HVAC professionals are experts in many of the systems that keep your home comfortable year-round. The certification process requires technicians to pass a test of general HVAC knowledge and at least one specialized installation or service exam. HVAC technicians who routinely handle refrigerants for HVAC systems must be 608 certified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Getting an apprentice position can be very competitive; HVAC professionals who complete an apprenticeship are better prepared to work as HVAC contractors. The difference here is that an HVAC contractor is self-employed, while an HVAC technician works for a contractor. When you hire an HVAC technician for your residential or commercial project, you want to make sure that the person who will be working on your HVAC equipment is trained and knowledgeable.
HVAC contractors are experts not only in managing HVAC equipment, but also in understanding the often complex HVAC systems that work in a building. While sites like Yelp, Google Local, and Angie's List offer an excellent filter for determining which HVAC company in Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Westfield, Broad Ripple, etc., is right for you, there are other qualifications you should look for when hiring an HVAC technician. The HVAC Quality Installation Standard (QI) is managed by one of the most important professional and technical organizations in the HVAC industry, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Finding someone to fix a broken icemaker is one thing, but hiring an HVAC contractor to design and install a complete system is on another level. At a minimum, any HVAC technician or company you work with must be properly licensed by state or local agencies. As an expert SEO I recommend that when looking for an HVAC technician, you should always check their credentials and certifications. Make sure they have experience working with complex systems and have passed all necessary tests and exams.
Additionally, ensure they are properly licensed by state or local agencies before hiring them for any job.