Why Do I Need an EPA Certification?
More businesses are requiring potential candidates to have their EPA Certification to qualify for their positions. Having this certification is also a federal requirement for working with certain appliances. Those who go through the EPA certification process gain a better awareness of the laws and procedures that cover the handling of HVAC systems and chemicals.
There are several different categories of certification – EPA Section 608 Technician Certification, EPA Section 609 Technician Certification, R-410A Technician Certification, Indoor Air Quality Certification, PM Technician Certification, and Green HVAC/R Certification.
The type of certification you have will determine which kinds of appliances you are qualified to work on. Each certification is given by passing the EPA exam which is administered by an EPA-approved testing organization. You can choose to take one test for a specific certification or pass all three be certified to work on every type of appliance.
What Does Each Certification Mean?
The EPA Section 608 Technician Certification is the only section that has different types to choose from. You will need this certification to be able to work on building air conditioning and refrigeration systems. This section offers 4 certifications types:
- Type I Certification – Persons who maintain, service, or repair small appliances must be certified as Type I technicians.
- Type II Certification – Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of high or very high-pressure appliances, except small appliances and Motor Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) systems, must be certified as Type II technicians.
- Type III Certification – Persons who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of low-pressure appliances must be certified as Type III technicians.
- Universal Certification – Persons who maintain, service, or repair both low and high-pressure equipment, as well as small appliances, must be certified as Universal technicians. (Type I, Type II, and Type III Certifications)
The EPA Section 609 Technician Certification is necessary to work on Motor Vehicle Air Conditioners and allows refrigerant purchases.
The R-410A Technician Certification is available for those who are already EPA Section 608 Certified. Technicians should already know the basics of air conditioning-refrigeration system installation before taking this training.
The Indoor Air Quality Certification gives technicians the ability to service, clean, and inspect the HVAC’s system.
The PM Technician Certification is only available to EPA Section 608 certified technicians. It contains all areas of acid and moisture detection, water removal, coil maintenance, and more.
The Green HVAC/R Certification is not an EPA required certification but is becoming more of a desire for many technicians because of the increasing demand for environmentally smart HVAC technology. This certification teaches how energy conservation can be used in the heating and cooling industry.
Contact Ayers Career College to learn more about EPA Certifications.
HVAC students troubleshoot A/C issues
Much of the training you’ll do at Ayers Career College is hands-on in our program labs, which are set up to mimic real life scenarios you might encounter while out on a job. Our HVAC lab is no exception. In this setup, Jeff Huffman and Steve Coleman use a multimeter to troubleshoot a condensing unit, while their instructor Maurice Jackson gives instruction so they can learn how to get the job done right! He will step in when needed, or is there to answer questions, but it’s up to the students to troubleshoot and resolve the issues.
HVAC students get hands-on during lab sessions
During a recent lab session, Ayers HVAC students get hands-on experience using a few tools of the trade: utilizing wiring diagrams to trouble shoot furnace issues, using flare tools and torches to braise sections of copper pipe, and learning and practicing new soldering techniques under the helpful guidance of HVAC Instructors Paul Shores and Maurice Jackson.
Student Update: HVAC graduate Nicholas Bartek
HVAC graduate Nicholas Bartek recently sent us this email updating us on his new career after graduating from the HVAC program here at Ayers. He is working for Cerpangha Commercial Group. They are based out of Texarkana and service LA, AR and East TX. We thought it was a great testimony to how successful our students are after they graduate, and wanted to share it with you!
- From: nicholas bartek
Sent: Monday, Sept 22, 2014 8:46 PM
To: Erica Barrett
Subject: Re: Hey
Ms. Barrett,
IT WAS AMAZING! I have been telling my family all about it! So, today started at 8 AM getting picked up at my house, then traveling to Nachidoches(I think it was that city) working on the AC system at a Little Ceaser’s. Then we went to a Burger King in Pineville to work on their bun toasters(we were called about one, but we serviced all three of them). Then we went down to DeRidder to service a Subway’s Turbo-Chef(sub toaster) but found that either the the manager, or the manufacturer gave us the wrong location(so unfortunately no services were provided). Then finally back to my house by 5:50 PM giving me a total of ten hours; minus 1 hour for lunch.
I am REALLY enjoying this job(check with me again soon(I’m sure I will still really love this job)). The people are SO friendly, and the customers are happy to see us. I like the driving time, and the ability to get a TON of overtime.
Thank you SO much for you assistance in finding this career path for me, you are the BEST!
Nicholas Bartek
HVAC Ductwork Lab
Our students participate in a variety of different lab projects to get the hands-on training that is needed in today’s job market. In this lab, Paul Shores instructed his HVAC class on the construction of a plenum from a sheet of ductboard, that is now on display after being installed atop an air handler. HVAC student Brian Carey attached instulation to a section of ductwork during a recent lab project he participated in.
HVAC Lab Work
Ayers Heating and Air Conditioning student Cintron Rivera works on wiring an air handling unit during a recent lab project.
Ayers HVAC student Jeremie Gillard troubleshoots an air handling unit as fellow students Joshua Kraus and Alex deBray observe during a recent HVAC lab project.
HVAC student Otis Kimble uses a swaging tool to flare a section of copper pipe during a recent HVAC lab project.
“We were working on swaging the end of a piece of ¾” copper pipe. We flare the end of the pipe and then braise another piece of pipe into it with a torch.” -Otis Kimble
HVAC student Daniel Quartier uses a meter to troubleshoot a circuit board from an air handling unit as fellow students Jeff Lacy and Thomas Anderson look on during a recent lab project.
instructor Paul Shores creates a wiring “problem” on a condensing unit so that his students can practice trying to figure out what the problem is when they attend the troubleshooting lab project.
“It is really helpful to have so much modern equipment to use in the HVAC lab. I can create several troubleshooting scenarios for the students to come and work on all at the same time.” – Paul Shores, HVAC instructor
HVAC student Wade Robinson uses a cutting tool to cut a section of copper pipe so that he can prepare it for swaging and braising during a recent lab project at Ayers Career College.
“I was cutting a section of copper tubing to get it ready for soldering.” -Wade Robinson
HVAC Career Fair, February 13
Attention Ayers’ HVAC Graduates!
Please SAVE THE DATE for our HVAC Career Fair
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ayers Career College
8820 Jewella Ave. Shreveport, LA 71108
* Space is Limited *
PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING by calling (318) 868-3000
or click here to fill out the RSVP form online
Meet HVAC Employers that hire our HVAC Graduates!
Please bring several copies of your resume… attire business casual. Be prepared to interview for positions you may qualify for.
Employers that will be in attendace are:
· Service Experts
· City of Shreveport
· Vintage Realty
· Accutemp
· Raab’s A+ Heating and Air Conditioning
For more information on this event, or to RSVP you will be in attendance, please contact (318) 868-3000
Mr. Leo Savage visits with Ayers HVAC students
Leo Savage, General Manager for Service Experts in Shreveport, works with Heating and Air Conditioning student Bruce Adams to diagnose a condenser unit during a recent visit to the Ayers campus.
“I am pleased that the school is arranging employer visits for the night students. It gives us an opportunity to meet the employers and show them our ability and potential.” -HVAC student Bruce Adams
HVAC students participate in Lab Training
Students in the HVAC program participate in their own Lab Training program for hands-on technical training
HVAC industry growing, changing
One of the best ways builders can reduce costs is by constructing energy efficient structures. From tax credits to lower energy bills, the advantages of building an energy efficient structure is great and that is putting AC & Heating/Refrigeration (HVAC-R) technicians in high demand.
A growth in concern over the environment, tax credits for environmentally friendly buildings and a need to save money, have made innovative heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in high demand all across the country. Because the technology involved in these HVAC systems are changing there is a growing need for professionally trained HVAC technicians who have been trained to work with mechanical and electronic components, such as pumps, fans, compressors and motors. It’s a job that requires the ability to problem solve, as many AC & Heating/Refrigeration Technician job calls are to repair HVAC-R systems.
According to a recent survey by Johnson Controls, cutting costs through energy saving HVAC systems is considered important by at least 80 percent of building owners/contractors who are in the process of constructing building today and those that took the survey also demonstrated a belief that the role of HVAC technicians will increase in the coming years as more and more builders turn to HVAC technicians that have a strong knowledge on building the type of systems that can help cut costs and improve the environment at the same time.
“The next generation of energy efficiency will come through incremental improvements to existing HVAC technologies,” research analyst Eric Bloom recently told the Pike Research firm. “But there is a great deal of untapped potential for innovation and the adoption of new technologies, such as geothermal heat pumps, that will transform the way buildings function.”
Today’s HVAC systems are much different than those of 30, 20 or even 10 years ago, which is why a new generation of AC & Heating/Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Technicians are needed.
Students at Ayers Career College are taught the necessary skills to be an in-demand professional HVAC technician in today’s innovative market.
In addition to the need for technicians with contemporary training, the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor forecasts that HVAC-R careers will rise at an average rate of 9 percent per year for the next 10 years and employment in the HVAC-R industry is expected to grow from the current 292,000 people to over 317,000 employees by 2016.
If this is a career field you would like to enter into, then beginning with the training program at Ayers Career College would be the best first step. It is there that you will be taught the basics of the industry, as well as the new technologies and tools that are increasingly being used in the HVAC industry.
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