What Certifications Do Refrigeration Service Technicians Need?
After you decide to work as an HVAC or refrigeration technician, you have to attend a school or technical college or do an apprenticeship with an experienced professional. This could take several years, but it isn't usually necessary to go into debt because many apprenticeship positions are paid. Even though you're still learning, you'll be able to support yourself.
Once you've qualified, you can gain some industry experience by working with advanced technicians. You can also get additional qualifications, which allow you to work with a wide range of businesses and customers, increase your income, and prove that you have the necessary skills to succeed in this business. Some of the best certifications include NATE, HVAC Quality Installation Standard, HVAC Excellence Certification, and the EPA 608 certification.
The NATE Certification
The North American Technician Excellence certification is one of the most common ones, but it is worth getting because it demonstrates that you have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill. NATE-certified HVAC and refrigeration technicians won't have trouble finding a job, no matter where in the country they work.
In addition to subject-specific knowledge, you'll have to demonstrate practical abilities and technical skills to receive this qualification. You'll pass a general test plus work on at least one specialization. The specialized exam could be on system efficiency, air conditioning, air distribution, geothermal heat pumps, or something similar.
HVAC Quality Installation Standard
The Quality Installation Standard is administered by Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), an important organization that serves over 4,000 businesses and 60,000 individuals in the HVAC industry.
Before starting your studies, you'll have to decide whether you'd like to do residential or light commercial HVAC and refrigeration work. Then, you'll need to learn how to effectively design an HVAC or refrigeration system. The assessment will test your knowledge of industry-specific software and concepts, such as load calculation. This qualification is ideal for people who mostly want to design and construct new systems instead of
maintaining existing ones.
HVAC Excellence Certification
The HVAC Excellence Certification program is offered at two levels. At first, you'll complete the professional level qualification, which requires two years of industry experience. To achieve this, you'll need to pass an exam that tests your knowledge and skills in various HVAC fields. Once you've received your professional-level degree, you can add the master specialist level qualification, which requires three years of industry experience.
The EPA 608 Certification
The Environmental Protection Agency's 608 Certification is crucial for HVAC technicians who regularly work with refrigerants because it allows them to handle substances like R-22 or R-410A, which can't be accessed by the public. There are three sections: servicing small appliances, servicing high-pressure appliances, and servicing low-pressure appliances.
Technicians who want to pass all three need to answer 100 multiple-choice questions during the test, which can be taken either in person or online. Once you've received your certification, it doesn't expire, so you'll be able to work with hazardous substances for the rest of your life.
Certifications Local to Your Area
Before you select an organization and start studying, speak to more advanced technicians in your area and find out what their qualifications are. The certification that will prove most useful to you depends on your specialization and the area you work in. Not all states have the same requirements, and you might have to take a test that is unique to your location.
How Can I Become a Successful Refrigeration Technician?
Getting the right certification is just one step on the road to success for a refrigeration technician looking to start their own small business. Once you pick up your first customers, you'll need to provide them with an excellent service, so they will keep using your service and refer you to others in their network.
Always go above and beyond when working with your customers, for example by offering them an additional service or a small discount for repeat business. It's also important that you remain well-organized at all times, so you never miss an appointment or forget something.
The easiest way to do this is to get home service software, which can handle your schedule, your bills, your invoices, and your work orders for you. A good program will help you to keep track of your employees' work and compile all your customers' information, including their personal data and details about previous interactions.
Do I Need to Advertise?
If you've worked hard to get a great certification, you might believe that you don't need to advertise because customers will automatically see that you are well-qualified. But as mentioned above, the HVAC and refrigeration industries are growing, so it's likely that there will be more competition in the future. To make sure you have enough customers, building up a solid online marketing strategy early on is a good idea.
Create a website that includes details about your certifications and experience, customers you've previously worked with, testimonials, and information about the kind of work you can do. Your home service software can audit your website to make sure it's optimized and help you keep on top of your social media accounts. Remember, the more active you are online, the more well-known you will be in your local community.
People who work in refrigeration service often start by taking part in a training program or apprenticeship. After gaining some industry experience, they can complete certifications that help them demonstrate that they are highly skilled. Having the right qualifications can make it easier for technicians to start their own business and pick up customers.
Call us at ServiceBox to find out more about the refrigeration industry and to test out our home service software.
