Hiring qualified and reputable vendors and maintenance partners is a critical component of owning commercial property or operating a successful business. Relying on handymen, in-house maintenance or inexperienced technicians for HVAC service can result in frequent system repairs and an increased risk of malfunctions that can disrupt critical operations.

One way you can verify that the commercial HVAC company you’re hiring is worth their salt is to check their certifications. When you’re vetting potential HVAC service providers for your commercial property, be sure to ask what certifications they have, what types of coverage and bonding they possess and whether their technicians have any additional manufacturer training or experience with the types of systems you have in your commercial property.

What Certifications Are HVAC Contractors Required to Have?

Every contractor is legally obligated to have a Texas Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license and an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 608 certification in order to perform commercial HVAC services.

The state license verifies they’ve had professional training. The EPA 608 certification, on the other hand, is a federal requirement for those handling refrigerants that ensures they know how to safely handle and properly dispose of them.

Because refrigerant contains hazardous chemicals, improper disposal can result in everything from groundwater contamination to the continued depletion of the ozone layer. Responsible disposal is critical, hence why HVAC technicians must receive certifications to reassure the state they know how to properly dispose of them or recycle them if they’re not contaminated.

While these are the only certifications contractors are legally required to obtain before working, many commercial heating and cooling technicians choose to pursue additional certifications to showcase their exceptional commercial HVAC capabilities to potential clients.

Types of Supplemental Commercial HVAC Certifications

NATE Certification

Possessing the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification shows that technicians have passed rigorous exams based on modern HVAC technology.

Only technicians who have worked in the field for at least two years are eligible to sit for the NATE exams. The NATE certification tests their general HVAC knowledge, real-world application of that knowledge and their specialized skills in areas like heat pumps and air balancing. Test takers must have a minimum passing grade of 70 percent to obtain NATE certification.

There are a few variations of the NATE certification:

●      Traditional certification, in which the technician takes one core NATE exam and one specialty exam (e.g., heating and cooling, electrical and controls, comfort and airflows, installation and service)

●      Professional certification, in which the technician takes five specialty exams

●      Senior Efficiency Analyst certification, the highest certification possible, can only be sought after a technician has passed the heating and cooling exam

The certification lasts two years, after which technicians will need to be retested.

HVAC Excellence Certification

The HVAC Excellence Certification, which is available to technicians at levels ranging from entry-level to seasoned technicians, is only available to HVAC professionals who have met certain experience requirements. Two years of real-world HVAC experience is standard, with a three-year minimum for those at the master specialist level. Applicants must take multiple exams to showcase their expertise and skills.

ACCA Quality Installation (QI) Standard

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Quality Installation certification can only be earned by technicians who are proficient in HVAC system design and installation, duct design, load calculations and other critical aspects of climate control technology. Certified ACCA QI technicians can be depended upon to design and install commercial HVAC systems that will perform optimally for many years to come.

ASHRAE Certification

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers certification validates that a technician is equipped to design energy-efficient commercial HVAC systems and has the sophisticated knowledge and skills required to maintain the system’s energy-efficient features. 

At Tom’s Commercial, everyone on our team has decades of experience maintaining commercial HVAC units. The technicians we dispatch to your commercial property have been thoroughly vetted to meet our high standards.

Our trust is not freely given – it must be earned by the technicians we hire. Maintaining high standards allows us to confidently tell clients that they will enjoy long-lasting and efficient system performance.

What Other Qualifications Should I Look for in a Commercial HVAC Company?

Aside from standard licenses, bonding, insurance and additional certifications, you should also ensure the HVAC company is specialized in commercial HVAC systems. While there are some similarities in residential and commercial heating and cooling methods, maintaining, designing and repairing commercial systems often involve entirely separate knowledge and skillsets. Some systems, like chillers or industrial-grade boilers, have no real analogs in the residential HVAC space.

At Tom’s Commercial, we have everything you could need in a commercial HVAC company. We’re licensed, bonded, certified, insured and ready 24/7 to provide emergency services to prevent your business from grinding to a halt due to climate control disruptions.

Fort Worth Businesses Have Relied on Us for Specialized Commercial HVAC Services for Over 50 Years

At Tom’s Commercial, we work hard to deliver first-rate HVAC commercial services to businesses and properties throughout the Fort Worth area. Receive a service or a system replacement estimate from one of our experienced technicians today by calling (817) 857-7400.