by christheacman | Aug 10, 2018 | HVAC Classes, HVAC Technician
Are you looking to build better study habits? Whether you’re a college student or are taking steps to receive your HVAC certification, studying is crucial to your success. You’ve paid for the education, so it’s not wise to waste the investment by failing to prepare.
Study Habits That Work
If you feel like your daily routine isn’t as effective as it could be, maybe it’s time to change things up. Forming new study habits will help you retain material, manage your time and improve your concentration and focus. Here are 5 tips to help you maximize your study time:
- Make a Plan
- Be Consistent
- Prioritize
- Find Your Best Learning Style
- Review
1) Make a Plan
Successful students develop a plan and routines that reinforce that plan. A student who devotes a certain number of hours to reading and reviewing each week will see greater success on exams or certifications. This doesn’t mean that you have to do everything immediately, but cultivate and maintain an awareness of exactly what needs to be done and when.
2) Be Consistent
Many people struggle to develop a consistent study routine. Developing good habits takes time and repetition, so being consistent is crucial to make studying time automatic.
3) Prioritize
The best plan won’t help you if you don’t prioritize your study time. Once you’ve made a list of upcoming exams and assignments, rank them in order of importance. This will help you prepare, manage your time and never let anything fall through the cracks.
4) Find Your Best Learning Style
This may seem like a no-brainer, but many students are not in tune with how they learn best. You could learn best with visual, auditory, reading-based or kinesthetic learning. Some people may learn better using a mix of various styles. For example, a hands-on HVAC training may teach you much more efficiently than an online course.
5) Review
Weekends are precious to those who work Monday-Friday, but they’re also a good time to do some review. This will help you retain the information you’ve learned and be ready when it comes time for your next class.
Find What Works For You
There are no universal rules for studying. What works for you may not work for someone else. Everybody is different, so the best way to establish effective study habits is to try different things and see what works best for you, then modify your routine accordingly.
Contact us to learn more about hands-on HVAC training classes to prepare you for the Texas HVAC Technician Certification Exam.
by christheacman | Aug 3, 2018 | HVAC Classes, HVAC Technician
Have you decided that the HVAC industry is the right career path for you? Then you might be wondering what to do next. There’s so much information (and misinformation) out there that it can be challenging to pick a path.
The Average HVAC Technician Timeline
Each method of becoming an HVAC technician is different, but if you enter a hands-on training program, most will take around 14 weeks. Following your training, you will need to become licensed in your state and acquire an EPA certification. If you decide to get state certified, you’ll need 2 years of experience, and will probably want to take a prep course to ensure that you pass the rigorous exam.
What You Need to Start
- High school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 for most programs
- The ability to speak, read and write in English
Pick The Right Program
A reputable HVAC training program should provide practical knowledge and experience through a combination of classroom learning and the use of modern equipment and tools used in today’s HVAC industry. Training should be conducted by seasoned HVAC technicians with insights into the industry. In addition to looking for hands-on training, you should look ahead to obtaining state certifications and other necessary credentials. When looking for an HVAC training class, remember that if something sounds like a gimmick, it probably is. Avoid programs that are entirely online or that claim to give you the expertise you need in a few short weeks.
Get Certified
The state of Texas now offers an exam to become a state certified HVAC technician. This will allow qualified technicians to sit for a class A or B contractors license after only 3 years instead of the current 4-year requirement. Becoming state-certified isn’t a substitute for training, just as training is not the same as being certified. The 2 complement each another, with one providing information and the other exhibiting expertise of that information.
A Great Career Path
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the HVAC industry is a great choice for those entering the workforce or looking for a career change. The average annual wage for HVAC mechanics and installers was $47,080 in May 2017. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,120, and the highest 10% earned more than $75,330. The more training, experience, and certifications you earn, the more you’ll make!
Contact Us to learn more about starting HVAC training in Houston, Texas.
by christheacman | Jul 20, 2018 | HVAC Technician
Beginning in September, the state of Texas will offer a Certified Technician Exam to become a state certified HVAC technician. This exam will allow qualified technicians to sit for a class A or B contractors license after 3 years instead of the current 4-year requirement. The Training Center of Heating & Air Conditioning is now providing prep classes for this new exam, as well as the Class A and B exams.
The Chris Walters Advantage
Using the proven Chris Walters Method of air conditioning training, a one of a kind study guide was created and will be provided to each class. Chris is uniquely qualified to develop this course since he is a subject matter expert for the State of Texas and helped draft questions for the new Certified Technician Exam.
Who
Anyone qualified to take the Texas Certified Technician Exam, or the Class A or B contractors license exams. The class covers all three, and the study guide can be reused for each exam, so there’s no need to take separate prep courses anymore.
When
The prep class lasts 3 hours and will be held on select Saturdays. Reservations are required and classes WILL fill up, so don’t wait.
Where
The Training Center of Heating & Air Conditioning
4727 Strack Rd, Houston, TX 77069
Why
The technician exams have become increasingly difficult in recent years. Gone are the days when you could skip studying and still manage to pass. If you’re serious about getting your Class A or B contractors license or want to become state certified, a prep course is the best (and fastest) way to pass on your first try.
Reserve Your Spot Now
This prep course is not designed to help you beat the test or utilize any shortcuts, but will help you learn how to prepare properly in order to get the best results possible. The prep class is $399 and includes your study guide.
Contact Us to find out when the exam is being offered and to reserve your spot before classes reach capacity.
by christheacman | Jun 8, 2018 | HVAC Classes, HVAC Technician
HVAC training serves at an important foundation to your HVAC career. It teaches you the basic repair and installation methods, terminology, tools, and best practices. However, with rapid advances in technology, it’s important to continue your education and strive to learn more.
HVAC Certification vs. Training
Becoming a state-certified HVAC technician isn’t a substitute for good training, just as training is not the same as being certified. Think of your training diploma as graduating, and your certification as graduating with honors. It’s that distinction that will set you apart.
Expertise
Becoming state-certified conveys a level of expertise that HVAC training courses alone can’t offer. This also offers employers and customers peace of mind, and can be a real benefit to business.
Intent
In addition to establishing your expertise, state certification shows a clear intent to better yourself and advance your skills. This can mean a lot to employers and shows that you’re in it for the long haul.
Potential
Once you’ve received training and become certified, your potential is limitless. This shows potential employers that you’re going places, and they should offer upward mobility if they want to keep you. There should always be opportunities for advancement when someone has shown a desire to grow.
The Right Balance
Like most things in life, it’s important to maintain an appropriate balance when it comes to education, experience, and certifications. This is why most professional certifications require a certain amount of experience and education and may require recertification.
Contact Us to learn more about preparing for your state certification exam.
by christheacman | Apr 20, 2018 | HVAC Classes
You’ve heard it here first–The state of Texas will soon be rolling out a new HVAC Technician Certification Exam! Being state certified will allow technicians to be elevated in status, and will enable cutting a year from the usual time it takes to qualify for the air conditioning contractor exam.
Why Take the HVAC Technician Exam?
Certification programs ensure the professionalism and competence of HVAC technicians by providing a measurement of skill and knowledge. Employees who seek certification learn to appreciate the importance of adhering to certain professional standards, which makes them more attractive to employers and customers alike.There are many additional reasons to become a certified technician, but here are the top 3:
Stay Competitive
Becoming state certified makes you a more attractive candidate for a new job or in-house promotion. Employers like to see ambition and dedication since these traits often translate to hard work and efficient workflow.
Stay Relevant
The training you received years ago may not be so relevant anymore, or may be perceived as outdated. Becoming state certified shows that you have the knowledge and expertise necessary for even modern technology.
Make More Money
Getting certified shows a level of seriousness that can motivate employers to invest more in you. It’s expensive to train new employees, so if you show that you’re pursuing avenues of self-improvement, your employee should offer incentives to keep you with their company.
Exciting Things Ahead
Currently, it takes 4 years of experience to sit for a contractors license exam, but soon a technician with 2 years of experience will be able to take the state certification exam. After holding that for 1 year, technicians will be eligible to take the contractors exam on the 3rd year. This exam will streamline the certification process and enable motivated technicians to get to work faster.
Learn More
Chris Walters has worked in the HVAC industry for more than 40 years and now teaches HVAC training classes. He was proud to help develop the new state exam and study guide, and he looks forward to helping technicians prepare for this milestone event.
To learn more about becoming an HVAC technician or preparing for the new state certification exam, Contact Us.
