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What is NATE? HVAC Education NATE Certification - NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence and NATE is a certification group that oversees the training, testing, and certification of HVACR technicians throughout North American. NATE is highly respected throughout the HVACR industry and an HVAC technician who achieves NATE certification is considered very knowledgeable and skilled in the HVAC trade or HVAC certification specialty. It is a step up in heating and cooling education for HVAC Techs.
HVAC Education NATE Certification
NATE Certification specialties include the following categories:
Service Category
- Core Service
- Air Conditioning Service
- Air Distribution Service
- Air Source Heat Pump Service
- Gas (Air) Heating Service
- Oil (Air) Heating Service
- Hydronics Gas Service
- Hydronics Oil Service
- Light Commercial Refrigeration Service
- Commercial Refrigeration Service
Installation Category
- Core Installation
- Air Conditioning Installation
- Air Distribution Installation
- Air Source Heat Pump Installation
- Gas Heating (Air) Installation
- Oil Heating (Air) Installation
- Hydronics Gas Installation
- Hydronics Oil Installation
Additionally, NATE offers an HVAC Efficiency Analyst Senior certification if you meet additional requirements.
HVAC Education NATE Certification
To become a NATE certified technician a technician must pass the core and at least one specialty category to become NATE certified. Testing and retesting are stringent for technicians before they are allowed to become certified.
Certification can pay big dividends in many ways including a higher pay rate for you in your HVAC Career.
NATE Certification and the HVAC Industry | HVAC Education NATE Certification
Some HVAC manufacturers support NATE testing for their dealer technicians and this is very good for the industry as a whole. It is important that qualified technicians perform the service and installation duties of installing and servicing HVAC air conditioning and heating equipment. Comprehensive testing along with the training on specific equipment ensures that you will get a good HVAC system installed and serviced when the time comes for you to replace your air conditioning and heating equipment.
A recent study done by the HVAC air conditioning and heating industry shows that more than 35% of the air conditioning and heating systems installed are installed improperly. This results in poor performance of the heating and cooling equipment. Getting a company that has NATE certified technicians almost ensures you will get knowledgeable technicians who know what they are doing and take pride in their work. Someone who takes pride in their work will have a reputation for getting the job done right. This equates to a properly installed air conditioning and heating system for the end-user consumer and that helps the HVAC industry as a whole.
NATE Certification and Recertification - HVAC Education NATE Certification
NATE requires technicians to be re-certified every five years. This is necessary because of changing technology and to make sure the technicians remain up to date on the latest technology. To re-certify a technician must have a minimum amount of qualified continuing education credits before they are allowed to take the re-certification tests. Once the technician proves they have the continuing education credits and after they have filled out the proper forms they are allowed to take the re-certification tests.
NATE Certification is good for the HVAC industry as a whole and it is even better for the consumer because it nearly ensures the consumer will get a qualified professional who takes pride and installing or service air conditioning and heating equipment. That equals quality service and installation.
Find a rewarding career in HVAC by getting a good foundation with an HVAC education.
To study for NATE courses and exams check out this resource.
More about NATE can be www.natex.org found here.
HVAC Education NATE Certification
Technical Resource: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology