If you’re considering a career in HVAC, you should have basic knowledge of the ESCO HVAC Excellence program. It offers some of the most popular HVAC certifications available to technicians.
You can start a career in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration field (HVAC-R) by completing a short training program. You don’t need to earn additional HVAC certifications to secure a job, but there are some advantages to doing so.
For example, some level of EPA certification is required if you want to handle and/or purchase refrigerant for air conditioning systems. Employers can assign you more advanced tasks with each level of certification completed, so you may become more in demand when applying for jobs. NATE certification can prove to employers and later customers that you understand HVAC systems and are competent for the job.
Many HVAC companies are now paying for certification courses for new technicians. It’s a way to invest in skill development while ensuring the company remains competitive with the credentials offered by other services in the area. Some of the most popular HVAC certifications available today fall under the category of HVAC Excellence certification.
What is HVAC Excellence Certification for a Technician?
HVAC Excellence certification is offered by the ESCO Group. The group is in charge of accrediting HVAC training programs, credentialing HVAC educators, and testing students in educational programs to ensure they fully understand the material presented. As one of the most well-respected leaders in the field, they make sure that educational programs and instructors keep up with industry changes.
We’ll touch on HVAC Excellence accreditation and credentialing in a moment. For technicians working in the field, there are multiple certifications available. You can work your way through each certification over time, building your career and positioning yourself for higher earnings. If you present the benefits of each certification to your employer, you may convince them to pay for your HVAC Excellence test and training.
Types of HVAC Excellence Certifications for Technicians
You don’t have to accomplish all HVAC Excellence certifications available. The longer you stay in the field, the more likely you are to build a resume with most if not all courses completed. Each certification has its own HVAC Excellence test and training program.
- Student Outcome Assessments – Designed for secondary students completing HVAC-R programs in high school. The assessments allow instructors to determine if students have mastered the material or need more training.
- Employment Ready Certifications – Designed for students in adult HVAC-R programs and companies validating knowledge of potential job candidates. Each certification assessment allows instructors and employers to determine the level of knowledge mastery before a student passes a course or secures a job in the field.
- Professional Certifications – Designed for HVAC professionals already working in the field. This category of HVAC Excellence certifications includes a series of courses and assessments designed to prove knowledge in specific areas like heat pump installation, gas heat, and light commercial refrigeration. The more certifications you complete, the more jobs you may qualify to handle.
- Master Specialist Certification – Designed for HVAC technicians with 3 years of field experience, minimum. The training is hands-on and proves that a professional has fully mastered all elements of HVAC-R and can safely carry out all tasks required to work through a variety of field experiences. This is the level of certification that can take you to the highest pay rates in some local markets.
HVAC Excellence Certification vs HVAC Excellence Accreditation & Educator Credentialing
HVAC Excellence certification programs are designed to test the knowledge of technicians in the field. The ESCO HVAC Excellence program also offers verification services and products to educational programs teaching HVAC and the instructors leading those training programs. ESCO ensures that the programs include the most up-to-date material and are thorough enough to properly train new technicians for safe, successful entry into the field.
The ESCO Group offers HVAC Excellence accreditation plus premium training resources for training programs. They take each program through a rigorous examination to identify potential weak points in the program or even the equipment, tools, and facilities. They can also test instructors through the educator credentialing program. Credentialed instructors must take courses annually to stay on top of the industry.
Achieving Excellence accreditation allows a training program to stand out from competitors that may not offer the highest quality instruction. Students often choose accredited programs to ensure they obtain the knowledge they need to pass licensing and knowledge tests after course completion.
How to Get HVAC Excellence Certification
You can take HVAC Excellence certification courses and assessments on your own or through your employer. Each state has its own organizations and schools that offer courses at select times throughout the year. There are fees required for each training class and the associated HVAC Excellence test.
If you’re already working in the field, check with your employer to see if they’re willing to enroll you in a local certification course that will help you grow in expertise. They may pay for enrollment upfront or agree to reimburse you after you pass the course and/or test.
If you want to grow your HVAC knowledge on your own, then search for courses in your local area. You can find some HVAC Excellence practice tests online, so course materials aren’t your only resources when educating yourself.
With each new certification, you may open yourself up to more job opportunities in your local area. You may also find yourself in hot demand in other areas, giving you the opportunity to relocate and grow your career faster. Start by identifying skills and knowledge sets that are listed often in job listings online. If you complete the HVAC Excellence certification that relates to those skills, you can position yourself to qualify for more jobs.
HVAC is an exciting career field for someone who wants to grow over time. Think of certification as a way to become a master professional capable of handling any type of HVAC-R job. It takes time, but it can also improve your earning potential for years to come.
