North American Technician Excellence is an independent, third-party organization that develops tests for HVAC professionals. Think of N.A.T.E certification as a doctorate in air conditioning—it’s a big deal, and not everyone has it. At Larson, all of our technicians are required to earn and maintain N.A.T.E certification. We pay for it ourselves to ensure everyone we employ is among the best in the business. This comes with many benefits to our customers, including the assurance that we always send the best professionals for the job.
Here’s why you should always work with N.A.T.E certified technicians for your air conditioner repair, replacement, or maintenance needs.
1. N.A.T.E certification requires rigorous testing
A technician can only earn N.A.T.E certification after passing both core and specialty tests. These tests measure their skill in areas that include:
- Cooling and heating diagnostics
- Installing indoor and outdoor equipment
- Regular A/C maintenance
- Proper tools and safety considerations
- Airflow, air balancing, and comfort considerations
- And more
It goes without saying that the N.A.T.E exams are difficult, and many technicians may not pass the first try. Passing the tests is an endorsement of their skills and their status as best in the trade.
2. N.A.T.E certification must be renewed
N.A.T.E. certifications expire after a period of time. Most certifications last two years, at which point technicians must complete a certain amount of continuing education hours or re-take the test to renew their certification. This helps keep technicians up to date on their knowledge in the field, so you can trust that they they’ll find the right solution for your home.
3. N.A.T.E certified technicians can install your equipment correctly
The most important day in the life of your air conditioner is the day of installation. N.A.T.E certified technicians have the experience and knowledge to install your equipment correctly, taking into account the details of proper sizing and fit for your home. Many homes in Arizona are fitted with air conditioners that are too large, and an oversized system can lead to problems and poor efficiency down the line. Working with a N.A.T.E certified technician ensures that your system will be perfectly fitted to your home.
N.A.T.E certified installers also ensure that your system will have:
- Proper ductwork: N.A.T.E technicians understand that a properly designed, installed, and maintained ductwork system is essential for optimal cooling.
- Proper refrigerant charge: With N.A.T.E technicians on the job, your air conditioner will have refrigerant levels that are accurately adjusted and analyzed.
- Optimal airflow configuration: Airflow has a direct relationship with the refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner and plays a very important part in achieving the designed system performance. That’s why N.A.T.E technicians take special care to ensure airflow is configured properly at the time of installation.
4. N.A.T.E certification separates the best from the rest
There are endless air conditioning contractors in Phoenix who claim that they can fix your system and offer you the best service. But, how can you know who’s telling the truth and who’s the right choice? The A/C industry doesn’t have a certification requirement to be a technician. This means it’s left up to the employers to determine if a technician has sufficient experience to join their organization. By looking for only N.A.T.E certified technicians, you can guarantee that you’re working with the best.
5. Experience counts with N.A.T.E certifications
To even begin to qualify for N.A.T.E certification, technicians are recommended to have at least two years’ experience. Prior to that, the HVAC Support Technician Certificate can provide the fundamentals that will be needed for certification down the line. By the time a technician has earned N.A.T.E certification, they have real-world experience and years of knowledge to back up their skills. In other words, it won’t be the first time they’ve worked on an air conditioner like yours—so you can rest easy that they know what they’re doing.
6. N.A.T.E technicians create a better experience for you
The internet is full of horror stories of incompetent A/C technicians showing up late, fumbling a job, and creating more problems than they solve. In contrast, our N.A.T.E certified technicians strive to deliver the best possible service by:
- Arriving promptly to respect your schedule
- Educating you about the most practical, cost-effective repair option
- Selling & installing equipment built to last
- Treating flooring & furnishings with care
- Guaranteeing products & workmanship
N.A.T.E technicians have fewer callbacks and warranty returns than other technicians. This means the job will be done right the first time, and you can feel good about knowing that your equipment will be set up to work at its best for years to come.
N.A.T.E certification and more: How Larson ensures excellence
Beyond ensuring that all our technicians earn and maintain N.A.T.E certification, Larson lives up to a foundation of excellence by exhibiting our core values each and every day—including:
- We put forth 100-percent effort toward every task. We “hoe to the end of the row.”
- We are passionate, honorable and do the right thing.
- We are achievers who take initiative and are solution-rich.
- We say what we do and do what we say.
- We are team players and treat others as we want to be treated.
- We are calculated and future-focused.
Whether you’re dealing with an air conditioning problem or need any assistance in the world of home comfort and cooling, we’re here to be your one-stop shop. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.