A cold snap hits your area and you change your thermostat setting to “Heat” for the first time this season. If you do not have warm air blowing out of your vents, it may be time to call a NATE certified Charlotte HVAC contractor for a furnace repair. Why NATE certified? This certification stands for “North American Technical Excellence” and is given to professionals who have completed testing and are proven to be the best in the industry for HVAC services. Patterson Heating and Air’s HVAC technicians are NATE certified, and are committed to providing high quality services, such as furnace maintenance, installation and repairs, for customers in Charlotte and surrounding areas.
Learn About the NATE Certification
There are four important aspects of NATE certification that are helpful to know about before hiring a trained heating and cooling technician to complete a Charlotte HVAC repair. To help you learn more about this certification process, www.bestpickreports.com lists the four main things about NATE that will help you to become more familiar with the certification:
“1. NATE started in 1997 to improve the service and installation of HVAC equipment.
North American Technician Excellence, more commonly known as NATE, is a nonprofit organization that develops and administers certification tests that mimic real world working knowledge of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. NATE certifications are highly regarded in the HVACR industry because technicians who can successfully pass a NATE exam demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about installing and servicing HVACR systems.
Before NATE was established, HVACR manufacturers, distributors, and contractors expressed that some technicians lacked the knowledge and experience needed to properly install and service HVACR equipment, which was costing both manufacturers and homeowners unnecessary time and money. Later, NATE was founded to provide a standard examination to certify that technicians were indeed knowledgeable and able to install and service HVACR systems.
2. Individuals can be certified as an installation and/or service technician.
Every technician that applies for NATE certification has to pass a core exam—a test of the candidate’s general knowledge—as well as a specialty exam that covers how to install, service, maintain, and/or repair specific systems. It’s important to know the specifics of your technician’s certification so you can be sure he/she is best suited for your needs. Technicians are only required to be certified in either installation or service, but they may choose to become certified in both.
3. There are ten specialty certifications.
Before hiring a company to service or install your HVAC system, make sure you ask for a NATE-certified technician that specializes in the job you need done. Technicians can choose from the following specialties: air conditioning, air distribution, heat pumps, gas furnaces, oil furnaces, hydronics gas, hydronics oil, light commercial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration, and Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst.
4. Certified technicians have to recertify every two years.
NATE recently changed its certification period from five years to two to ensure that technicians stay up-to-date with changes to the industry. Technicians with a Ground Source Heat Pump Loop Installer certification recertify every three years.
Using a NATE-certified technician ensures that your installation or service will be performed by a person who is knowledgeable about home comfort systems. Since technicians can specialize in different types of systems and services, specify your exact needs and the system you have before scheduling an appointment in order to get a NATE-certified technician who can help you with your situation.”
So, after two years of having the NATE certification, technicians will need to undergo more testing to be re-certified. Intensive training, superior knowledge and excellent skills all go into qualifying a technician to become certified. Patterson Heating and Air hires dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who maintain a high level of customer service and ongoing training. When you hire an experienced technician from Patterson Heating and Air, you can trust that your Charlotte HVAC repair will be completed with outstanding results. Call our office today at (704) 288-4535 to find a Charlotte HVAC contractor who can help you with your furnace repair or replacement.
