A contractor’s certifications help homeowners select a reputable, knowledgeable company to entrust with their HVAC system. But how do you separate one certification from another? Choosing a NATE-certified technician ensures that you’ve vetted a professional who can get the job done. 

Here’s what certification from North American Technician Excellence (NATE) means:

• NATE is unbiased. Some certification programs have an alarmingly high pass rate, mostly because certain programs benefit from certifying technicians. NATE has nothing to gain from passing technicians — it’s a non-profit organization — other than developing a nationwide supply of knowledgeable technicians.
• NATE is supported industry-wide. Entities from utility companies and manufacturers to contractors support the NATE program, because it was designed and developed to establish a set of practices to standardize testing across the board. Its tests are based on day-to-day knowledge and expertise technicians must possess, as opposed to the goals of equipment-specific certification programs.
• NATE’s testing is rigorous. In order to gain qualification, NATE-certified technicians have passed rigorous testing procedures in a series of general and specialized tests. Once certified, technicians must recertify every five years to maintain their standing with NATE. The reputable Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) organization participates in developing the standardized tests.
• NATE-certified technicians are knowledgeable. The organization’s certification procedures require that technicians pass a general test, but they also have to choose and pass specialized tests. Why does this requirement ultimately benefit homeowners? When you’re choosing a NATE-certified technician to install a heat pump, you can hire one that holds certification in heat pumps and installation. Need to service your furnace? Choose a technician with service certification in gas- and oil-powered furnaces.
• NATE is easily identifiable. When choosing your technician, look for the NATE badge: large, yellow lettering that says “NATE” with a purple background.

Why put your valuable HVAC equipment in the hands of a technician with questionable certifications? Choosing a NATE-certified technician ensures that you get a good return on investment, with a job well done every time. Contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Air today and find out why we value NATE certification in our organization. We serve homeowners throughout the greater Asheville area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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