If you’re looking for air conditioner repair in Chicago Loop or anywhere else, you might be surprised, and perhaps a little frightened, to know that there are very few certification requirements for HVAC technicians in Illinois. What that means is that when you’re evaluating HVAC companies to decide which should be the one to service your home, you’ll run into many companies that have very little experience in the HVAC industry. And unless you’re an HVAC expert yourself, it may be hard to differentiate between the real players and the pretenders
Fortunately, there are some national certifications that indicate that an HVAC technician is qualified. For example, at Deljo Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, all of our technicians hold NATE certifications. So, to help make sure you know how to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to HVAC companies, here are a couple of certifications to look out for during your evaluation.
North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Certification
As the Advanced Technology Institute puts it, “The North American Technician Excellence certification is the gold standard for technicians.” The reason for this is that, to be awarded the NATE certification, you’re required to complete and pass exams designed by experts who know how to ask questions that will weed out any technicians that aren’t prepared. Generally, you’ll find that if your technician is NATE certified, he or she will keep their job longer and they’ll know how to develop a relationship with their customers.
EPA 608 Certification
This certification is designed to ensure that a technician is educated and skilled enough to work with equipment that contains refrigerant, such as a window air conditioner or heat pump. This is an important certification because refrigerant is a hazardous substance and you don’t want just anyone handling this dangerous chemical in your home when they’re conducting air conditioner repair in Chicago Loop. It’s worth noting that this certification is broken down into four different types related to the types of appliances the technician is certified to work with.
Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Depending on your scenario, if you’re shopping for air conditioner repair in Chicago Loop, you may actually want to consider replacing your air conditioner. If that’s the case, it’s helpful to work with heating and cooling professionals who are Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers because they can help select the equipment that is best suited to your unique needs.
