When you need heating or cooling assistance, you will find there are many technicians out there who are qualified to help. However, not all of these technicians are actually certified. You may be wondering if certification even matters. Check out these common questions and answers to uncover the difference between a qualified technician and a certified one.
What Is a Qualified HVAC Technician?
Qualified HVAC technicians usually have several years of experience in the HVAC industry. Many of them develop their skill sets through on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs. However, despite being qualified to work in the heating and cooling industry in various settings, these technicians can lack certification if they fail to complete the certification process.
What Is a Certified HVAC Technician?
Certified HVAC technicians showcase their knowledge of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning by completing an accredited training program followed by scoring well on an industry-recognized certification test. Technicians with certification are more likely to keep up with the newest developments in their field because maintaining certification typically requires ongoing training and education.
Which Type Is Better?
A certified HVAC technician has gone above and beyond the minimum requirements for competence in their sector by completing an intensive training program, passing a rigorous examination, and earning industry-recognized certification. Employers and consumers both tend to see certified technicians as more reliable.
Does Certification Improve HVAC Safety?
Improved safety is the top reason to hire a certified HVAC technician. Certified technicians know what they’re doing; therefore, there’s less chance of a fire, a gas leak, or an electrical problem. The certification attests to their proficiency in all areas of HVAC knowledge, proving their ability to safely install and maintain HVAC systems.
Accurate sizing and installation of HVAC systems are essential for preventing problems like inadequate ventilation and overloading circuits, both of which may pose serious risks if not handled by certified professionals. It’s also important for certified technicians to handle anything related to your gas lines. This drastically decreases the likelihood of gas leaks. In homes with gas heating, hiring a certified technician can literally save your life.
Does Certification Improve Professionalism?
By meeting and maintaining industry standards, certification helps HVAC technicians highlight their dedication to professionalism. When you hire Meade’s Heating and Air to handle an HVAC installation or repair, you can rest assured that our certified technicians will act with the utmost integrity at all times. We always make sure to clean up after ourselves and to address all of our customers with politeness and kindness.
Does Certification Increase Access to Modern Technologies?
Today’s newer HVAC systems use incredibly advanced technologies to deliver extremely efficient heating and cooling. However, not every HVAC technician has the skills to work with these modern tools.
Certification training often covers the latest HVAC technology and equipment, allowing certified technicians to offer you the newest and most efficient heating and cooling options. Three of the newest technologies that certified HVAC technicians can help you explore are variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, geothermal heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems with inverter technology.
Geothermal heat pumps use the earth’s steady temperature to heat and cool your home as well as to provide hot water. Since the ground temperature is stable year-round, this method is efficient. While installation is more expensive, correctly installed geothermal systems save energy over time.
VRF systems use cutting-edge heat pump technology to precisely regulate temperatures in various rooms and areas of your home by moving energy from heat between their indoor and exterior units. Because the systems can adjust to varying load circumstances, they produce substantial energy savings.
Inverter technology allows ductless mini-split systems to adapt compressor speed to heating and cooling demands. They use less energy and maintain a more steady temperature than on-off cycle systems. As an added benefit, they also reduce energy loss from ducting when installed properly, further enhancing their efficiency.
What Services Do Certified HVAC Technicians Offer?
Certified HVAC technicians typically offer a wide range of heating and cooling services, including installation, repair, and maintenance. Many certified workers will also provide an assortment of other services, like air duct sealing, water heater installation and repair, ductwork cleaning, and commercial HVAC.
One of the areas that Meade’s Heating and Air specializes in that many qualified technicians don’t is ductless heating and cooling. If you want to use zoned heating and cooling in your home, you need a ductless system, which means you need a certified technician to handle the job.
Ductless heating and cooling systems have notable advantages, including enhanced energy efficiency, precision in temperature regulation, and a simple installation process. These systems effectively mitigate energy loss via the elimination of ductwork while also enhancing indoor air quality.
No matter the type of heating and cooling installation that you want in your home, hiring a certified technician to perform installation and maintenance will improve your systems’ durability and efficiency. Ideally, you should have a certified technician perform annual maintenance on your furnace and air conditioner.
Although HVAC maintenance from a certified technician may seem like a costly expense, it’s actually a wise investment that can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. It can also improve your home’s indoor comfort, ensuring you stay cool and comfortable during the hotter parts of the year and warm and cozy during the colder parts.
How Do You Find Certified HVAC Technicians?
There are several helpful tips you can follow to find certified HVAC technicians in your area. The first thing you’ll need to do is research the certification requirements that apply to your region. By knowing which certifications HVAC workers in your area must possess, you’ll know which ones to ask about when talking to different HVAC companies.
Websites run by organizations like NATE (North American Technician Excellence) and the EPA make it simple to locate HVAC technicians who have an active and valid certification. These sites usually have directories of certified technicians that you can explore to find workers in your city.
You can also ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations. However, before settling on a certain contractor to hire, make sure to verify its certification. You can do this by contacting the organization that issued the certification and verifying the validity of the certificate number.
Request a Certified Technician Today
Are you searching for a certified HVAC technician in Sterling? If so, Meade’s Heating and Air is here to meet all of your HVAC needs. We offer many types of heating and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance services, as well as emergency services, indoor air quality improvement, and more. We are committed to always doing things the right way, not the easy way. Our team will go above and beyond to ensure the reliability of your system, and you can count on us to communicate quickly and thoughtfully. Read more about us here!
Give us a call today to speak with a certified HVAC technician about the different steps you can take to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency and performance.
