When the air conditioning stops working in your Massachusetts home, you have no choice but to hire a contractor to perform air conditioning repair and maintenance .
But how do you know which companies have experienced and knowledgeable service technicians?
One way to separate the serious HVAC service professionals from the rest of the pack it so see if their technicians are NATE certified (at Needham Oil, all our technicians are certified as installers, service technicians, or both).
Here are some NATE basics to help you understand why this certification is so important.
Q. What does NATE mean?
A. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence; it is the largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians in the U.S.
Q. Who owns / runs NATE?
A. NATE is owned, operated, developed and supported by the entire HVAC/R industry and participation is strictly voluntary.
Q. How do technicians get NATE certified?
A. NATE rigorously tests applicants on their working knowledge of HVAC systems. The tests NATE administers measure a candidate’s hands-on understanding of all types of home comfort equipment, including gas furnaces, air conditioning, heat pumps, oil furnaces and hydronic / air distribution systems.
Q. How long do NATE certifications last?
A. Most NATE certification lasts five years; to re-certify, a technician either needs to complete 60 continuing education hours or retake the test. This ensures that all NATE certified technicians are up-to-date on the latest heating and cooling systems and technology.
Q. Why look for NATE certified technicians?
A. When you need a furnace installed or your A/C fixed, you want it done right the first time so you don’t have to hassle with return visits by repair teams. You also want to make sure your family is safe; poor service can put your family’s health at risk. When you hire a NATE-certified technician, you know the job will be done right.
Q. Will a NATE-certified technician know how to fix the problem?
NATE certification tests are comprehensive and difficult; if a technician is NATE-certified, you can rest assured knowing that he has worked hard to prepare for any scenario he encounters. NATE constantly evaluates its educational program to make sure the testing process is always evolving to the needs of customers and the industry.
As you can see, NATE certification is pretty important – so don’t settle for less! To learn more about NATE, please visit their website.
Choose Needham Oil and Air for qualified technicians and quality work every time. Contact us for expert service on your central air system, ductless A/C, or any other home comfort equipment!