What Does NATE-Certified Mean?

What Does NATE-Certified Mean? Photo of a technician holding a device to test HVACs

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is the nation’s largest certification organization for HVAC and refrigeration technicians.

It’s important to note that almost everyone in the HVAC and refrigeration industry recognizes and supports a NATE certification, although not everyone is NATE-certified. It’s a discretionary certification, and technicians can service equipment without being NATE-certified.

At Wm. Price Heating Co, our technician team is NATE-certified. We only send the most qualified technicians to your home to ensure that you have that extra level of comfort knowing your technician meets all NATE certification guidelines.

Why NATE Certification Matters

According to their website, “NATE tests represent real-world working knowledge of HVACR systems. With NATE certification, technicians can differentiate themselves from the competition and demonstrate why they are among the finest in the industry.”

NATE tests technicians at all levels of experience, starting with the CORE exam and moving on to the SPECIALTY exam in their chosen field. The CORE exam covers a candidate’s general knowledge, construction knowledge, and HVACR-specific knowledge in the areas of:

  • Safety
  • Tools
  • Basic Construction
  • Using Basic Science
  • Achieving Desired Conditions
  • Taking Temperature and Humidity Measurements
  • Basic Electrical

HVAC Installation Expertise

Once the CORE exam is passed, it does not have to be retaken as long as our Wm Price Heating Co,  technicians maintain their certification and do not allow it to lapse.

SPECIALTY exams cover a candidate’s knowledge of the installation, service maintenance, and/or repair of HVACR systems.

SPECIALTY certifications will either be in installation or service:

Installation technicians prepare installation sites (including removing existing HVACR equipment) and fabricate and assemble systems. They should be able to properly power up and set control positions to cycle equipment through primary heating, cooling, and blower operations under on-site or off-site supervision.

The installation technician may take specialized readings, such as temperatures, refrigerant circuit pressure, and basic VOM electrical readings, of both operating and non-operating equipment.

Service technicians must be able to complete the same tasks as installation technicians and independently power up and adjust control settings to cycle equipment through all designed-for sequences. They must also be able to acquire, evaluate, and interpret necessary readings to determine the adequacy and acceptability of meeting system operation specifications.

These technicians must also be able to perform sufficient field diagnostic procedures to determine causes of inadequate performance and identify corrective actions as necessary. The following specialties award a two-year certification.

INSTALLATION SPECIALTY

  • Air Conditioning Installation
  • Air Distribution Installation
  • Air-Source Heat Pump Installation
  • Gas Heating (Air) Installation
  • Oil Heating (Air) Installation

SERVICE SPECIALTY

Air Conditioning Service

Air Distribution Service

Heat Pump (Air to Air) Service

Gas Heating (Air) Service

Oil Heating (Air) Service

Hydronics Gas Service

Hydronics Oil Service

Light Commercial Refrigeration Service

Commercial Refrigeration Service

Hire the Best HVAC Contractors in Warren

At Wm. Price Heating Co, we take pride in the fact that our technicians are NATE-certified. We are confident that we are sending only the best, most qualified people to your Warren, OH home to install or service your HVAC equipment. For a free consultation on your next home improvement project, call us at 330-545-3722 or request service online.

Need HVAC Service?

Contact the experts at Wm. Price Heating and Cooling.

Call us at 330.545.3722!