Nate Magazine - February 2024

TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION FOR THE HVACR INDUSTRY \ FEBRUARY 2024

Keeping Pace with New Technology

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SERVICETITAN HVAC NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

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In This Issue FEBRUARY 2024

LETTER FROM THE NATE PRESIDENT YOU ASKED/WE ANSWERED NATE NEWS, WORD SEARCH

Photo: Courtesy of ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship

KEEPING PACE WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY

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ATTAINING HVACR EXCELLENCE THROUGH THE NATE TRAINING ACADEMY

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EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS PROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS BY WINNING THE 2023 SERVICETITAN HAVAC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

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VIRGINIA COMPANY HELPS EMPLOYEES TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR CAREERS

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SPOTLIGHT ON NATE TECHNICIANS PRODUCT NEWS

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

BY JOHN LANIER

Making Technician Training and Certification More Accessible

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t NATE, we understand that the key to progress and innovation in the HVACR industry lies in recruiting and retaining skilled technicians.

Our commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment sets the stage for technicians entering the field. We strive to broaden the accessibility of NATE, ensuring that all technicians, regardless of their entry path, have equal opportunities to engage and thrive within our HVACR community.

In this issue, we’re focusing on an HVACR technician competition supported by NATE that aims at drawing new talent into the industry and inspiring future generations. Discover more about the 2023 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship, featuring first-place winners Patrick Boldt and Craig Childress, both NATE-certified technicians. Their exceptional performance highlights the importance of prioritizing certification and continuing education.

We also shine a spotlight on technicians new to the industry who used NATE Training Academy’s online courses to prepare for their CHP-5 certification exams. The online platform offers dynamic lessons through 3D simulations and over 100 virtual reality modules, giving technicians a flexible and engaging way to prepare for NATE certification. We interviewed recently certified technicians about how the interactive content helped prepare them for each of the CHP-5 exams as well as real-life challenges they are encountering in the field.

Our Technical Committee recognizes that maintaining NATE exams is key to elevating industry standards, fostering excellence, and maintaining our commitment to providing cutting-edge certification that reflects the current demands of the field. In this issue, you can learn more about updates to the Core exam and Heat Pump specialty exams that the Technical Committee is releasing later this year. With these latest updates, we are working to ensure that technicians are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the evolving landscape of HVACR technology.

By making technician training and certification more accessible, we aim to create opportunities for a new generation of technicians to master the HVACR trade. NATE takes pride in celebrating the achievements of technicians, no matter how much experience they have. We value the diverse accomplishments of technicians, recognizing that each milestone contributes to the collective expertise and vitality of the HVACR community. Join us in our journey to develop and recognize the talented professionals at the core of our industry. Together, we can better equip ourselves to meet the evolving needs and challenges of this ever-changing field. l

NATE OFFICES 2311 Wilson Blvd., #410 Arlington, VA 22201 P: 877/420-6283 F: 703/527-2316 THE NATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Immediate Past Chairman: Kevin Dier Johnstone Supply, Portland, Oregon Chairman: Quan Nguyen Lennox Residential, Richardson, Texas Secretary/Treasurer: Dave Kyle II Trademasters, Lorton, Virginia Parliamentarian: John Lanier NATE President, COO of AHRI TRUSTEES Ed McFarlane Sila Services, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania David Meyers Carrier Enterprise, Indianapolis, Indiana Randy Roberts Rheem, Atlanta, Georgia Brad Snyder Goodman Global, Houston, Texas Rhonda Wight Refrigeration Sales Corp., Valley View, Ohio Terry Tanker HVACR Business, North Ridgeville, Ohio Luke Wrona Cardinal Heating, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Jon Hirsch Auer Steel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Steve Widhalm Thermal Services, Omaha, Nebraska Don Brenneman Portland, OR ADVISORY COUNCIL Scott Boxer Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC, Lennox International, Plano, Texas Laura DiFilippo DiFilippo’s Service Co., Paoli, Pennsylvania Don Frendberg Phase 3 Insights, Naples, Florida John Garvelink Commercial Design Engineers Ltd., Colorado Springs, Colorado Ray Isaac Isaac Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Rochester, New York Wade Mayfield Thermal Services Inc., Omaha, Nebraska David McIlwaine HVAC Distributors Inc., Mount Joy, Pennsylvania Randy Tice APR Supply Co., Lebanon, Pennsylvania

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QUESTIONS

BY NATE STAFF

You Asked, We Answered QUESTIONS ASKED BY NATE-CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS, ANSWERED BY THE NATE TEAM AND SHARED WITH YOU.

Have a question for NATE? Please email us at asknate@natex.org!

A CANDIDATE AT MY TEST SESSION DOES NOT HAVE A NATE ID. WHAT SHOULD I DO? If candidates are new to NATE and taking their first exam, then they may not have a NATE ID. When administering a paper exam, please leave the NATE ID number field blank. When setting up an online test session, please leave the NATE ID number blank and enter the candidate’s email address.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE FOR MY NATE EXAM? Achieving NATE certification is no small feat, but the rewards are great. NATE offers several different resources to help technicians prepare for their certification exams: • Review your exam Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (KATE). For training and testing information, first review NATE’s KATEs. Each KATE contains a detailed list of references. The KATEs enable you to cross-reference information with the index of any HVACR reference book to locate the correct information to study. No question will be on a NATE-developed test unless it is referenced in a KATE. All KATEs are available on NATE’s website on the NATE Exams – Exams Offered page.

• Attend a NATE-Recognized Class. While not hosted by NATE, these classes were reviewed by the NATE team and meet NATE certification standards. You may also ask your NATE testing provider you choose whether any preparatory training is offered.

• Read NATE Study Guides. NATE offers study guides to help technicians prepare for their NATE exam. All guides are concise, graphics-heavy, and have practice questions at the end of each chapter. All guides are available for purchase in the NATE Online Store.

• Subscribe to NATE Training Academy. NATE has partnered with Interplay Learning to create NATE Training Academy, a comprehensive online training program. The on-demand courses allow technicians to prepare for the CHP-5 certification exams at their own pace and from the comfort of home.

Have more quest ions about prepa r i ng for you r NATE ex a m? Contact us at askNATE@natex.org.

HOW DO I SHARE MY NATE CERTIFICATION WITH OTHERS ONCE I EARN MY CERTIFICATION? Once you’ve become NATE-certified, you’ll receive a digital badge that you can share on social media, your email signature, or website. Your digital badge is verification that you’ve passed NATE certification exams. We will create a badge for each certification you’ve earned and email it to you directly from Badgecert. You can find more information about how to share your Badgecert credentials at www.NATEX.org,or contact Badgecert directly at support@badgecert.com.

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Mike Hellmann, Director Building Infrastructure mhellmann@endeavorb2b.com, 978-289-0098 Mike Eby, Senior Director of Content—Buildings meby@endeavorb2b.com, 913-209-9884 Steve Spaulding, Editor-in-Chief—CONTRACTOR sspaulding@endeavorb2b.com, 702-848-4703 Terry McIver, Director of Content—Contracting Business tmciver@endeavorb2b.com, 216-346-8978 Contributors: Michael Keating, Neal Lorenzi, Terry Persun, and Elaine Yetzer Simon

Joe Agron, Sales Manager jagron@endeavorb2b.com, 941-200-4778 Bill Boyadjis, Account Manager, Midwest bboyadjis@endeavorb2b.com, 973-722-2048 Brian Sack, Senior Manager, Business Development, East + Northeast bsack@endeavorb2b.com, 732-629-1949 Randy Jeter, Senior Manager, Business Development, South & West rjeter@endeavorb2b.com, 512-263-7280 David Sevin, Key Account Manager dsevin@endeavorb2b.com, 401-246-1903 Jay Thompson, Account Sales Manager jthompson@endeavorb2b.com, 913-707-0468 Steve Suarez, Media Account Executive ssuarez@endeavorb2b.com, 816-588-7372 Beverly Beckert, Endeavor Business Media Marketing Solutions bbeckert@endeavorb2b.com, 941-208-4308 Greg Araujo, Senior Production Operations Manager garaujo@endeavorb2b.com; 941-203-3722 Randy Schirz, Art Director, 773-259-7253

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FEBRUARY 2024

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CHP-5 CERTIFICATION Technicians can now earn their NATE Certification with five thirty-question exams designed to mirror the ways they learn and grow in the field.

Online exam options available.

www.NATEX.org

NEW: NATE TRAINING ACADEMY NATE has teamed up with Interplay Learning to create a new online platform with on-demand interactive courses that prepare technicians for the CHP-5 exams.

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NATE NEWS

BY NATE STAFF

NATE News 2024 SERVICETITAN HVAC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

TWO WAYS TO BECOME NATE-CERTIFIED

NATE is proud to announce that the ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship is back for a third year! Technicians that have what it takes to make it through two qualifying rounds will receive an all-expense paid trip to West Palm Beach, Florida.

In the Sunshine State, the top technicians will compete to win a share of over $100,000 in cash and prizes and the well-deserved bragging rights of being crowned the 2024 Champion.

The Round 1 Qualifier is a five-minute digital quiz with questions provided by NATE. Technicians can take the quiz as many times as they want. The top apprentice and professional who score the highest each month will automatically qualify for Round 2. This digital quiz will launch February 15, 2024.

From the Round 1 Qualifier, the top 38 apprentices and 38 professionals will advance to the next round in the ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship. Visit the competition webpage HVACNationals.com to keep up with all the latest updates about the ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship!

NATE now has two certification pathw ay s for H VACR tech n ic ia n s, t he C e r t i f i e d H VAC Professional (CHP5) and t he Tradit i o n a l P a t h w a y.

NATE’s goal w ith t h e C H P- 5 i s t o offer technicians different pathways to NATE certification so they can choose the exam pathway that best fits their level of experience and learning st yle. With the CHP-5, technicians can earn their NATE certification through a series of five 30-question exams, each on a different subject domain: HVAC Fundamentals, Electrical and Controls, Comfort and Airflow, Installation, and Service. Technicians can take the exams in any order they choose and can take up to six months between each exam to study and prepare.

The NATE Traditional Pathway consists of the 50-question Core Exam and a 100-question Specialty exam. Technicians can choose between 13 specialty exams with an emphasis on installation or service.

You can learn more about NATE Certification Pathways at www.NATEX.org.

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NATE is interviewing a new technician every Tuesday about their work and what NATE means to them in a new #TechnicianTuesday series. The series celebrates NATE-certified technicians and highlights one technician and their work each week. You can nominate technicians you know for a future #TechnicianTuesday by emailing NATE’s marketing manager, Daisy Weill, at dweill@natex.org. To see past interviews, visit NATE’s Facebook page or Instagram.

FEBRUARY 2024

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BY NEAL LORENZI

EXAM UPDATES

KEEPING PACE WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY NATE IS DEVELOPING NEW CORE AND HEAT PUMP SPECIALTY EX AMS WITH THE HELP OF ITS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE.

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ver the past year, NATE has been working on a comprehensive update of the Core exam and Heat Pump Installation and Service Specialty exams. These assessments are part of the Traditional Pathway exams that technicians can take to earn NATE certification. The new exams w ill be released during the first quarter of 2024, along w ith new study guides. This is part of NATE’s mission to ensure that its exams are rele-

vant and effective. “As the HVACR industry changes, our exams need to change with it, so any topics covered are relevant to technicians and the exams do their job validating competency through certification,” says Tony Spagnoli, NATE director of testing and education.

NAT E rev iew s a nd ed it s ex a m questions regularly, but the 2024 update is part of a full job task analysis where the NATE Technical Committee evaluates each exam question to

ensure that the content of the exam accurately reflects the current skills needed for HVACR technicians. NATE does a full job task analysis every five years or so. “The full job task analysis can change the distribution of questions and the exam topic domain areas,” Spagnoli adds. “The regular item review looks at exam questions t hat are not performing well and replaces those.”

NATE involves industr y professionals and educators in each step

Photo: Dreamstime.com / © Andrey Popov / ID: 281955404

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EXAM UPDATES

BY NEAL LORENZI

PROFESSIONALS RELY ON NATE EXAMS TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS IN MANY SEGMENTS OF THE HVACR INDUSTRY.

of the exam revision process. NATE’s Technical Committee, which reviews the job task analysis, is made up of indust r y ex perts and representatives with significant experience in HVACR. Once they have completed their exam review, NATE then sends out the updated exam questions to industry members for a validation sur vey. The technical committee also w rites and rev iews the exam questions.

Chuck W hite and Bob Feathers, two members of the Technical Committee, are now working on the new exam form and study guides for the Core ex a m a nd Heat P u mp specialty exams. Both men agree that a primary motivation for updating the exams is to keep pace with new technologies.

I nc rea sed tech n ic a l sk i l l s a re needed for understanding new technolog ies, says Bob Feat hers, who has more than 40 years’ experience

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in HVACR in both field service and education. “It’s essential to obtain a better understanding of why our i ndu st r y requ i res cha nges f rom traditional methods and practices.

We a re mov i ng i nto a new era of equipment efficiency and reliability to meet our energy goals.” Feathers recently retired from Emerson Climate Technologies as a technical training specialist.

White, who joined the NATE Technical Committee in 2002 and has served as its chairperson for several years, notes that the HVACR indust r y is consta nt ly cha ng i ng—a nd that products and technologies are very different from when he started working with HVACR systems. “NATE must keep up with these changes, especia l ly t hese days when heat pumps are poised to become t he in-demand climate control system,” he says. “Technicians are the key to proper installation and operational

maintenance to achieve the highest system efficiencies; NATE validation of their skills must keep up with the advances in the industry.”

KEEPING UP TO DATE Updates to the Core and Heat Pump Specialty Exams are different from typical test “maintenance” where the committee is looking to clarify and improve the test, White notes. “This Core and Heat Pump Specialty work is really taking a broader look at heat pump products and new, emerging technologies. It is really setting the stage for the next generation of technicians, not to disparage the existing certifications or techs but recognizing that the heat pump world is going through some rapid developments to promote a greener environment.”

Feathers says that changes to the Core and Heat Pump Specialty Exams will help HVACR professionals gain a better understanding of how the industr y is always evolving to meet new standards and reach new efficiency goals. “This also brings new technologies, refrigerants, and system components to the forefront moving into the future.”

T he evolv i ng la ndscape of t he H VACR i ndu st r y i n f luenc ed t he decision to update t hese ex a ms, both men agree. “This is required by not only government regulation, but our customers are more energy conscious than ever before,” Feathers says. “As we move away from fossil fuel applications into new electrification systems, technicians need to be up to date.”

THE EXAM PROCESS Although heat pumps are a newer technolog y, the process for updati ng t he e x a m s fol low s t he sa me t radit ional steps. The k nowledge assessment update is the first phase of updating questions. Old and outof-date material is removed, and new

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BY NEAL LORENZI

technologies are incorporated into exam Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise (K ATEs). New questions are provided by a group of subject mat ter ex per t s. T hese quest ions are then reviewed by the Technical Committee and approved for use in new test versions.

“The K ATEs are reworked, and new questions and job task analyses are developed,” Feathers says. “This allows one to be proficient and gain the knowledge needed to install and maintain new equipment and understand the applications’ changes.”

The exam rev iew process relies on subject matter experts (SMEs) to create new questions and to evaluate the existing question bank. “It is actually a difficult process; writing the questions seems easy, but the submitter must have thick skin. Once a

question is proposed it is thoroughly dissected,” White says.

“The SMEs are critical evaluators,” continues W hite. “Their multiple points of view help to see questions from all sides, which help remove ambiguity from the process. At times, the discussion can get lively when considering a question, and consensus must be reached by the SMEs. The questions must be accurate and defensible. The committee looks for the science or industry reference to support the correct answer.”

Some questions are found through statistical analysis, White adds. “The data points to questions may have been correct once before, but new practices have either changed the question or the answer. Sometimes, a group of SMEs will assess content and add new topics or suggest edits.

EXAM UPDATES

At the end of the day, the process relies on numerous industry experts coming to consensus on the applicability and validity of the question bank.”

The goal of updating the Core exam and Heat Pump Installation and Service specialty exams is the same as updating other exams. Professionals rely on NATE exams to accurately deter m i ne t hei r k now ledge a nd skill levels in many segments of the HVACR industry. The exams also help technicians and instructors identify areas that need reinforcement either through additional study or training. Consumers can rely on a NATE-certified technician to make the best decisions when installing or maintaining today’s sophisticated heat pump systems. l

Neal Lorenzi is a contributor to the NATE Magazine.

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TRAINING

BY TERRY PERSUN

Attaining HVACR A Excellence through the NATE Training Academy AS A GROWING FIELD, HVACR CONTINUALLY NEEDS HIGHLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS. WHETHER YOU COME THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT OR TRANSITION FROM A DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL DOMAIN, NATE TRAINING ACADEMY OFFERS THE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS REQUIRED FOR NEXT-LEVEL SUCCESS.

career in HVACR can provide men and women with a stable and secure way to make a living, advance in a growing field, and be a stable part of their community. Many technicians enter the industry to begin their career, while others come from diverse professional backgrounds to expand their technical expertise or transition to a new career path.

Regardless of their motivations or reasons for wanting to delve into the HVACR trade, it is crucial for interested individuals to seek out training resources to ensure they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to safely work in the field. Finding the right training opportunities is key to bringing technicians up to speed in the dynamic and ever-evolving HVACR industry.

NATE offers technicians training courses through its online platform, NATE Training Academy. The platform offers a range of courses that prepare technicians for NATE’s different certificates and certification exams.

The platform includes intensive instruction such as virtual reality (VR) modules, videos, and knowledge checks to ensure that users have all the tools needed for their work in the field.

NATE launched NATE Training Academy in 2021 with courses that prepared technicians for the Certified HVAC Professional (CHP-5) exams, a new pathway to NATE certification. These courses remain some of the most popular on the platform to date. The online classes cover five subject areas that correspond to each of the five CHP-5 exams: HVAC fundamentals, electrical and control systems, comfort and airflow, installation, and service.

The CHP-5 certification pathway was designed especially for technicians new to the industry. In conjunction with practical field experience, dedicated study, and the online Training Academy’s specialized courses, technicians can pursue NATE certification with confidence and speed.

JOINING THE RANKS

Chris Aitkek on the job making important repairs.

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HVACR professionals enter the industry from a variety of paths and backgrounds. While Deoran Ferguson was introduced to HVACR through his high school, Mayckol Carrillo learned about the field while attending a local job fair. Eric Church came through his workplace. When asked to elaborate, Church explains, “We commonly use HVAC and refrigeration units on chemical storage buildings we manufacture. I started my work as an electrician installing and wiring the HVAC units in or on the storage buildings. Now, I work as an electrical engineer and HVACR technician for our entire facility. Part of my role is designing, sizing, and installing the HVACR units.”

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TRAINING

do to represent his or her knowledge as a technician. His instructor told him that with NATE certification, he knew that any of the local HVACR companies would hire him with little to no questions asked because he had already taken the steps necessary to prove his skills.

NATE TRAINING ACADEMY

Eric Church showing a wall-mounted AC unit he installed.

Similarly, Chris Aitkek worked in the RV manufacturing industry after leaving the military. When that field slowed, he looked for something more stable and felt that HVACR was the right option for him.

Michael Miller graduated with a degree in manufacturing engineering and worked as a plant engineer for a company that manufactured HVACR equipment. During that time, he was also involved with warranty claims and realized that a lot of the problems customers experienced were due to installation issues. “This told me there was a definite training gap that needed to be addressed,” he says.

“In addition,” he explains, “my son has shown interest in the skilled trade field and is currently enrolled in the HVACR program at his high school. He and I are working to build our own HVACR business with an emphasis on quality comfort solutions for our customers.”

While their day-to-day jobs vary, these HVACR professionals have one thing in common: They are NATEcertified, thanks to taking advantage of the NATE Training Academy.

PURSUING CERTIFICATION There are many reasons to pursue certification, but the one most often cited is career advancement. Carrillo says, “I’m always looking to get better in my field,” while others note they want to achieve a higher standard in their trade, advance their career, and expand career opportunities.

Miller hopes to leverage his and his son’s future services as best-in-class providers when it comes to service and installation.

After signing up for night classes at his local community college, Church talked with his instructor, who had been in the field for 40+ years. The instructor told him that he had been NATE-certified for many of those years and that NATE certification was one of the best things that one could

Homeow ners a nd bu si nesses seek i ng prompt a nd high-quality service rely on the expertise of experienced and skilled HVACR technicians. Since HVACR best practices and technologies are always evolving, it’s vital that technicians keep up to date with training. Online training programs, such as NATE Training Academy, are perfect for the busy technician.

According to Church, “The online training modules are highly appealing because I work a full-time job and have a family with a very busy lifestyle. Being able to work online any time and at my own pace was perfect.”

Miller concurs. “I chose the online modules,” he explains, “because they fit my schedule. Since I had a lot of HVACR knowledge, I used the courses to refresh my understanding, particularly in sections I hadn’t worked in as often. The program is great for my son, too, as he gains certification.”

Benefits gained from the online training are widespread. Carrillo points out that the course was extremely user-friendly and easy to navigate. Ferguson says that the training platform was very robust with the amount of information it offered. The fact that the classes could be accessed anywhere—on a desktop, laptop, or phone—was also key.

Church used the VR simulation on his children’s VR headset and recalls, “The content was easy to access and enjoy on all levels.” He adds, “The online platform was particularly helpful—even over a regular in-person class setting—in that it allowed me to review areas repeatedly, as needed. Plus, the videos allowed me to pause and take notes whenever I had to.”

The consensus of those enrolled in the NATE Training Academy is that the training provided a well-structured pathway to successfully complete and pass the NATE CHP-5 certification exams. Technicians consistently highlighted the easy-to-follow structure of the program, built from lesson to lesson, as helping them maintain retention of the materials.

Technicians also frequently pointed out the high user interaction of the platform, particularly through the videos and simulations. Church explains, “The CHP-5 pathway modules were very helpful because most of the material I needed to pass the NATE exams was present. Short content-filled videos with key information and a few questions afterward helped me to engage with the content.”

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TRAINING

BY TERRY PERSUN

NATE TRAINING ACADEMY IS POWERED BY INTERPLAY LEARNING, A LEADER IN ONLINE TRAINING

Mayckol Carrillo getting ready to go out on another job.

Carrillo notes, “What helped me the most was that the course gave you the formulas you would need so that you didn’t have to memorize each one. The tool I used the most, though, was the online book and highlighter, where I could highlight important information to go back to later.”

Miller adds, “I really liked the virtual diagnosing of the equipment. It was not just a single page that was easy to complete. Moving from room to room for different pieces of equipment simulated what technicians will see and must do in the field.”

CAREER IMPACT According to Miller, “Going through the certification program by passing timed exams that used critical thinking and problem-solving skills was a great way to build troubleshooting capabilities that help in the day-to-day service work we do.”

NATE certification helped Carrillo with his overall knowledge in the HVACR world and allowed him to take the next step in his career. Church says, “I feel like my career path and choices have grown since I got NATE-certified and that it helps me show my skill and value as a technician.”

Whether driven by a passion for the trade, a desire for career advancement, or a background in related fields, finding the right training opportunities is key to bringing technicians up to speed in the dynamic and ever-evolving HVACR industry. NATE Training Academy helps technicians gain a deeper understanding of the industry and become certified in a field where the greatest knowledge provides a better career path, better salary, and greater value to employers and employees alike. l

There’s a major change under way in how people train in the trades, according to Doug Donovan, president, Interplay Learning, Austin, Texas.

“While the effectiveness of one-on-one mentorship is undeniable, it can fall short in terms of efficiency and scalability. That’s where online platforms like Interplay Learning come in, boosting skill acquisition with training that’s consistent and scalable across people and locations.”

Using advanced technologies helps the company deliver a host of interactive learning modules to HVACR technicians. “We’re using technologies like 3D simulations, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence so that users can practice hands-on techniques while troubleshooting hundreds of real-world situations that would otherwise take years to see in the field. This makes training more valuable and efficient.”

Online training is successful because it teaches the foundational knowledge and troubleshooting skills technicians need for their jobs.

They gain access to expert-led courses on-demand and are offered unlimited practice using hands-on simulations. The platform ensures accessibility for a diverse audience of HVACR technicians. Because all technicians learn, explore, visualize, and retain information differently, the program provides a range of learning options. Online courses span basic to advanced topics to accommodate all experience levels.

Further, technicians can access the courses anytime, regardless of their location or schedule.

According to Donovan, the partnership between Interplay Learning and the NATE Training Academy serves as a cornerstone in their joint mission to elevate the skills and knowledge of HVACR technicians.

“By aligning our courses with NATE’s certification domains, we ensure technicians not only receive targeted and industry-relevant education but also contribute to their success in certification exams.”

Interplay Learning’s on-demand courses, hands-on 3D simulations, and knowledge checks allow technicians to gain the skills they need to pursue certification. On-demand flexibility enables them to customize their learning for convenience, while the structured pathways covering key domains ensure comprehensive CHP-5 preparation.

Terry Persun is a contributor to the NATE Magazine.

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and connected.

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10/23/23 3:25 1/16/2024 12:52:21 PMPM

CERTIFICATION VALIDATION

BY TERRY PERSUN

Experienced Technicians Prove their Knowledge and Skills by Winning the

2023 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship

Photo: Courtesy of ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship

NATE CERTIFICATION HELPS THE SERVICETITAN HVAC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD.

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echnicians across the country p a r t ic ip at e d i n t he 2 0 2 3 ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship, vying for the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes totaling over $100,000.

After competing in an opening round online quiz with questions provided

by NAT E a nd a prac t ic a l sk i l ls challenge, the top 15 apprentices and top 15 professionals were invited to an all-expenses-paid trip for a chance to win the title of National

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Champion. Both the top apprentice and professional division winners are NATE-certified, highlighting the significant impact and value that NATE certification brings.

COMPETITION GOALS The Ser v iceTitan H VAC Nat iona l Championship celebrates the dedicated and indispensable workforce in the trades. The competition puts the spotlight on technicians’ skills and inspires a new wave of individuals to

enter the industry. The goal is to inspire and cultivate the next generation of HVACR technicians, addressing the shortage of skilled professionals in the industry’s current and future projected landscape.

The competition unfolds across multiple qualifying rounds and culminates in the top apprentices and professionals being flown to Tampa, Florida, in an all-expenses-paid trip for a cha nce to w in t he Nat iona l Champion title and to share in over

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BY TERRY PERSUN

$100,000 in cash prizes. Beyond the allure of the substantial reward, this championship serves as a beacon— drawing attention to the industry’s talent, innovation, and the crucial role played by these skilled technicians in shaping the future of HVACR. The competition began last spring with technicians nationwide completing an online quiz with questions provided by NATE. Top contestants were then invited to a practical skill set round, where competitors were ma i led mater ia ls for a tech n ica l challenge they had to film themselves completing. The top 15 apprentices and top 15 professionals were then invited to compete in the finals. The final competitions were live to give these top technicians well-deserved recognition and a national platform to showcase their skills and expertise.

A sig nif ica nt hig h lig ht in bot h 2022 and 2023 was t he broadcast of the competitions on CBS Sports Network, amplifying the exposure of this top-tier talent to audiences across the nation. The competition not only celebrates the accomplishments of these technicians but also serves to set a benchmark for excellence within the HVACR industry. National attention helped to legitimize the competition, causing the number of entrants to grow significantly from year to year.

This means the bar for excellence grew significantly, too.

Along those lines, Ben Evans, one of the competition organizers from Intersport Global, says “Our fundamental advice for aspiring technicians eyeing next year’s competition is to maintain a thirst for learning. Whether you’re an apprentice beginning your journey or a seasoned professional with decades of experience, the key is to embrace ever y opportunit y to acquire new skills and knowledge. Our primary objective revolves around discovering and celebrating the nation’s finest HVACR technicians.”

Intersport Global has extensive experience in trades competitions and organizes national championships spanning multiple industries, including the IDEAL Electrical National Championship, the U.S. Auto Tech National Championship Driven

by Yokohama, and The Plumbing National Championship. Intersport Globa l hosts live cha mpionships annually for all of its competitions, including t he Ser v iceTitan H VAC National Championship, in Tampa, Florida, every September.

Beyond the competitive aspect, Intersport Global’s aim is to forge a community—a gathering of like-minded, high ly mot ivated indiv idua ls who share a passion for their craft.

Through competition, top technicians not only compete against each other but also foster a supportive network where excellence is encouraged and celebrated. “Participants feel t he support from each other as well as the competition staff and ServiceTitan,” Evans says. “A common theme we hear from the technicians is how the competition is the first time they have truly felt recognized and celebrated for the talented work they do.”

Putting together the ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship comes w ith its ow n intricate challenges.

Partnering with industry leaders like NATE and having a title sponsor like ServiceTitan has been instrumental in spreading awareness and engaging participants nationw ide. Another hurdle was ensuring that the competition provides an even playing field for all 30 competitors who make it to the final rounds.

According to Evans, “That means having the exact same setup for each competitor. Every tool has to be the same brand, the number of screws or fittings each competitor gets on their tool cart has to match, and each of the units these competitors are working on has to be the same. To navigate this

CERTIFICATION VALIDATION

challenge, we’ve partnered closely with Johnstone Supply, Trane, and American Standard Heating and Air Condit ioning. Their suppor t and product donations enable us to ensure a level playing field, maintain consistency across the board, and ensure a fair and competitive arena for all contestants.”

Just like ServiceTitan is the standard for software in the trades, NATE sets the standard for training and knowledge in the HVACR industry. Therefore, the first round of the competition is an online quiz using a question bank provided by NATE. Since these tech n icia ns go t h roug h mu lt iple rounds to prove they are the best in order to become the Ser v iceTitan HVAC National Champion, it only makes sense that many of these highly motivated technicians are NATEcertified. NATE certification serves as a significant indicator of their expertise and competency in the field. It’s not just a certification: It’s a validation of their comprehensive knowledge and practical skills.

FIRST PLACE WINNER IN THE PROFESSIONAL DIVISION C r a ig C h i ld re s s, t he Fi r st Pl ac e Winner in the professional division of the competition, used to replace H VACR systems regularly, hav ing worked for small residential HVACR companies. Ever y day was always somet h i ng d i f ferent . Now, he i s t he lead worker of t he plu mbi ng shop at Boston Universit y, where some days are completely hands-on while others are spent completing necessar y paper work.

Childress learned of the competition through the winner of the 2022 ServiceTitan HVAC Championship, Mack Shwert. “I was ver y excited about the opportunity to enter the compet it ion for 2023,” Ch i ld ress says. “When I won this year, it was unbelievable. The fact that I won the

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Photo: Courtesy of ServiceTitan HVAC National Championship

CERTIFICATION VALIDATION

BY TERRY PERSUN

Childress obser ves that ServiceTitan did a great job picking challenges for the competition. He felt that keeping a clear focus on the task at hand helped him win.

Time management was very important in every round. He completed one task at a time at a steady pace. “You don’t want to go too fast and sacr if ice qua lit y,” he explains, “but you also don’t want to go too slow because it’s a compet it ion. There were so many great technicians in the competition that you really needed to be aware of the clock.”

Craig Childress proudly holds both trophies he won, the plumbing competition and the HVACR competition.

Part of the strength of the competition was to competition took quite a long time to push a technician’s experience forset in. It was a very exciting time for ward, to strengthen the expertise with the entire family.” certain tools. For example, Childress Childress continues, “Every tradessaid that he was able to use the battery person puts long hours in attics or bender at the competition for the first basements to help their customers. time. “I have used benders before, but To have all that time spent in the field they were always hand benders. It is or in training come together to win a definitely a tool I will have to add to competition was amazing. ServiceTimy set based on how well it worked tan did an amazing job putting the during the competition.” competition on, and I was so happy to For aspiring HVACR technicians, be a part of it. But the icing on the cake Childress has this advice: “Never stop was having my wife in the audience learning, whether it’s a new system watching the competition.” just released, a new tool, or fine-tunAccording to Childress, NATE certiing something you’re already doing. fication contributed in a positive way Also, sign up for as many training to his performance in the championclasses as possible so you can get up ship. “NATE holds very high standards to speed quickly. Whatever else hapfor the industry, which helped to push pens, don’t be afraid to put yourself me to be better and learn more.” He out there. said that NATE training was what kept him up to date in the field, which also THIRD PLACE WINNER helped with the competition. “I have IN THE PROFESSIONAL never been around so many people DIVISION who wanted to celebrate the trades.

As t he t hird-place w inner in t he The competition makes you feel great competition, Lee Morris is also NATEabout what you do for a living.” certified. He currently works in the

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H VACR indust r y as an A merican Sign Language interpreter. “As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I do volunteer work repairing and maintaining the H VACR systems on our K ingdom Ha l l s, a s wel l a s helpi ng i n t he construction of new buildings.” Two years ago, he became aware of the competition through a trade magazine and thought it seemed like a cool challenge. “Luckily, since this was my second year participating, I had a good understanding of the overall feel of the competition, which took the edge off of the nervousness I felt.”

Morris believes that NATE certification contributed to his performance in the championship, along with the many continuing education opportunities he has had over the years. “Being able to learn and use different tools than what you are used to, under a time crunch, was challenging, he says. “In fact, the whole thing—unknown tools or equipment challenges, a strict time limit, and camera operators all around—was ner ve-w rack ing. W hen presented with a tool I wasn’t familiar with, I had to consider similar devices and t hen apply t hat k nowledge to t he latest challenge.”

Morris says that he was shocked to win. “You’re competing with some of the best,” he explains, “so you never know how it’s going to turn out. It was great to show the skills I had acquired over almost 30 years of experience in the field. It’s validating.”

For aspiring HVACR technicians, Morris has this advice: “Remember not to focus only on book knowledge and technology. Learn basic principles about how things work, and you’ll be able to apply those principles to a variety of situations. I’ve always found that thinking about, planning, and v isualizing what you want to accomplish is key.” l

Terry Persun is a contributor to the NATE Magazine.

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Advancing Sustainability and Innovation

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE

BY ELAINE YETZER SIMON

Virginia Company Helps Employees Take Charge of Their Careers NATE CERTIFICATION DEMONSTRATES EMPLOYEES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THEIR CAREERS.

G

rowing a successful HVACR business takes more than buying a van and slapping a sign on the side or taking over an existing company and maintaining the status quo. Technology transforms, marketing techniques change, generations and how they learn shift.

Sonny Swann, president of Climatic Heating & Cooling, Middleburg, Virginia, has faced all of these changes and more during his career in HVACR. His journey began following military service.

“After I left the Marine Corps,” he says, “I got a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland and went to work in IT. But the father of the woman I fell in love with owned an HVACR company. I went to work for him and learned so much. He passed recently, so I had to step into the owner role. When I joined, there were five people.

Now we have 47, so we’ve grown a little bit.”

The company growth includes Swann’s teenage sons, who are learning the industry from the ground up from their father. Henry, 16, has even earned his NATE certification with Gas and Furnace Installation specialties and is working on additional certifications.

KEYS TO SUCCESS Swann says his priorities are a big reason for Climatic’s success over the past two decades: “Taking care of our customers comes first, and taking care of our employees comes second.” It’s not all about money or being the biggest or having his company on the most billboards. In fact, the company spends no money on advertising and relies strictly on reputational marketing.

“I constantly say that other HVACR companies are my best salespeople because they talk potential clients into replacing equipment. These potential customers then go to their social networks, families, and neighbors and ask, ‘Who do I use?’ The response is Climatic. Sometimes, I receive 17-20 inquiries. Then, I post and invite potential customers to call me directly. That’s the best thing because the interaction is based on trust—and that’s behind our growth.”

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Swann’s teenage son holds NATE certification in Gas and Furnace Installation specialties and is working on additional certifications.

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BY ELAINE YETZER SIMON

CONTRACTOR PROFILE

“IF THEY BECOME NATE-CERTIFIED, THEY SHOW THEY PUT SOME TIME INTO IT. THAT MATTERS TO ME. IT SHOWS THEY CARE. IT’S DEDICATION. THAT MATTERS TO ME, TOO, BECAUSE IT SHOWS THEY ACTUALLY ARE WORKING AT OUR PROFESSION…I WORK PRETTY HARD AT IT, AND I THINK WE DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB. — Sonny Swann, president, Climatic Heating & Cooling

Climatic’s business is 90 percent residential, mostly add-on replacement, with some remodel, new construction, with commercial thrown into the mix. Swann says the company for the most part guarantees 40-hour work weeks for its employees and that consistency is a huge part in retaining workers. Offering competitive wages is another way Swann has worked to keep strong employees from being lured to competitors.

“We relevel,” explains Swann. “It used to be, ‘Hey, you’ve been here a year, so I’ll give you an extra dollar an hour.’

Now, salary is based on skill level. We’ve had guys that we’ve raised $10 an hour because that’s what I would hire them at today, and that’s what another company would offer. The employees are worth the increase because they’re consistent and they’re already with me. Anyone with me is much more reliable than a new person.”

Swann points out that anyone can interview, but employers don’t really know who their new hires are for the first six months, which makes retention of quality employees all the more important.

capable and ‘clean’—and by clean, I mean no DUI, no drug addiction, no felony. They want to join the trades. I think as an industry we’re all hesitant [to consider hiring] youth because of past experiences. That’s not the case anymore, so I’m trying to support it. If we all take on a few, then it gives us something because we’re going to run out of labor.”

Certification shows that these new employees are serious about their careers and are willing to put the time and effort into being the best they can be.

APPROACH TO CERTIFICATION According to Swann, NATE certification has a definite place in the HVACR industry today and going forward, especially with young people who choose to put skin in the game.

“We’re seeing an influence of very smart kids that could go to college but don’t,” Swann says. “Now I have two rock stars that are under 25, and they’re much smarter than what used to apply for me. We’re seeing a resurgence of those, which I hope to propel. That’s why I’ve been encouraging Henry, because I want to show him and others that younger people can do this. They can pick up an iPad or an iPhone and program a board. It’s a lot easier to teach a 16- or 22- or 23-year-old how to do that than a 45-year-old.”

Swann points out that there’s a knowledge and workforce gap in the industry. With many of the older generation starting to age out and a smaller pool of HVACR workers to fill that gap, the industry needs to adapt quickly.

“We are seeing,” he explains, “a very big push in this area of youth that have intelligence and skill. They’re 2402CB_Nate_Fieldpiece.indd 1

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CONTRACTOR PROFILE

BY ELAINE YETZER SIMON

“If they become NATE-certified, they show they put some time into it. That matters to me. It shows they care,” according to Swann. “It’s dedication. That matters to me, too, because it shows they actually are working at our profession…I work pretty hard at it, and I think we do a pretty good job. We’re not perfect. But keeping up that certification shows me that someone cares about the industry. It demonstrates you have someone that has desire, has heart. It shows me who the person is…You actually care about heating and cooling, which is the hardest trade in the industry.”

When it comes to his son, Swann has encouraged NATE certification because of the sense of pride it gives him, among other things.

“It’s an accomplishment…It sets people apart,” he says.

“My younger son is qualified. He’s worked in the field.

He’s not just a little kid coming in. He is someone who actually knows what he’s doing. Does he know everything?

Absolutely not. It doesn’t make him qualified to run an installation. It doesn’t make him qualified to run service calls on his own. But it legitimizes what he can do, and I hope it makes him safe.”

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT As Swann continues his efforts to be an employer of choice in the region, he often offers advice to those looking to find work or switch companies. His first piece of advice is to do research.

“The company is the important part of the equation, so just like our clients would look us up and check our reviews and customer feedback, that’s what you should do,” he says. “If a company doesn’t have a good reputation or good reviews, then it isn’t going to be a pleasant place to work.”

Key to finding this out is talking to current employees to learn their opinion of the company, according to Swann.

Climatic has three employees whose sons also work for Climatic, which is a testament to his company’s culture.

Getting an interview can be a challenge because of how busy the industry can be, but being persistent is also key.

“It’s tough in our industry because the people running the businesses are so busy running the business,” Swann notes. “Just making the time for one interview is actually difficult for me, even if I love the resume I received. That’s why it has to sparkle. Or, they have to know someone or have to be extremely persistent, like calling three times a week.”

Here is where having NATE certification can make all the difference, advises Swann.

“NATE helps because it legitimizes [your experience], and if you have to do a lateral move through one business or another, it helps get you the interview—without a doubt,” he says. “If I see NATE-certified on the resume, I’m much more likely to call that person back.”

When it comes to business owners, there are several pieces of advice Swann offers that he feels are fundamental to his success. The first may seem basic but has far-reaching impact.

“Always open your own mail,” he says. “The logic of that is no one can rip you off or defraud you. Give no one access.

You are opening the bank statement. You are opening the bills. You are opening everything. It’s the best way to avoid fraud in your company.”

His second piece of advice for business owners is to try to visit your warehouse at least three days a week and just engage with your employees.

“It’s really hard for all of us,” he explains, “because we work so hard and we’re operational. But just talking to your employees tells you a lot about them, and you can see their condition; you can see if they’re having a hard time. I like doing that and am averaging probably 1.5 days a week. The more I see, the more I know if there’s an issue. You can read it.”

Regardless of where one is in his or her career, Swann says HVACR is a great option for those who are ready to work hard and are willing to keep learning. “The sky’s the limit,” he concludes. l

Elaine Simon is a contributor to the NATE Magazine.

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BY NEAL LORENZI

SUPERIOR SERVICE TECHNICIANS

Spotlight On NATE Technicians

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here are many traits that describe great leaders. A great leader is ambitious, has vision, and is resourceful. Great leaders are well-educated and know that in order to be successful in a career, the learning process never ends.

In the HVACR industry, technicians continue the education process by gaining NATE certifications. The NATE Magazine would like to put the spotlight on the following NATE-certified technicians who are leaders in the HVACR industry.

LED YOU TO A CAREER IN HVACR? I began my HVACR career four years ago and came into the profession by chance.

I am a U.S. Marine Corp veteran.

Once I completed my tour of active dut y, I returned to my home in Columbus, Ohio, and began attending Oh io St ate Un iver sit y to pu r sue a bachelor ’s deg ree i n busi ness.

During the summer of my second year, I sought out local contractors to find seasonal employment. I met with the owner of AQS, Larry Titus, a nd bega n work i ng t here for t he summer. Larr y worked around my college schedule and gave me the opportunity to finish my degree and still grow in the H VACR industr y.

Once I graduated, I began working for AQS f ull-t ime and have loved working in this industry ever since.

1. WHAT IS YOUR TITLE? EMPLOYER? WHAT LOCATION DO YOU SERVE? Lead service technician at Air Quality Solutions (AQS) Heating and Cooling. Serving Grove Cit y, Oh io, a nd Sout hwest Columbus.

3. WHAT NATE CERTIFICATIONS DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE? WHEN DID YOU GE T YOUR CERTIFICATIONS? I am a NATEcer t i f ied tech n icia n a nd went through the CHP-5 Pathway, which consists of five core sections: HVAC Fundamenta ls, Comfor t and A irf low, Electrical and Controls, Installations, and Service. I completed the sections and obtained my certification in July 2023.

2 . HOW M A N Y Y E A RS H AV E YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE HVACR INDUSTRY? WHAT

4. WHAT VALUE DO YOU FEEL THAT THE N AT E CE R T IF IC AT IONS H AV E ON YOUR

NICK BUTSKO

CAREER IN HVACR? NATE certification ha s been v a luable to my c a reer.

First, it is a great resource to find my st reng t hs a nd wea k nesses as a technician, and I feel more well rounded because of the time spent getting t he certif ication. Second, obtaining my certification qualified my company to become NATE-certified, which has been valuable to us and our ser vice customers. Third, I am the lead trainer for new technicians coming into my company.

They see that I am NATE-certified and are encouraged to pursue that certification themselves, which has made our training program more effect ive and measurable. Last ly, visually displaying the NATE patch on my ser v ice bag gives me more credibilit y as a ser vice technician in the eyes of customers. They see me as someone who is competent and k nowledgeable to solve t heir problems.

5. HOW DID THE DIVISION OF THE CHP-5 EXAM (INTO FIVE DISTINCT SUBJECTS) IMPAC T YOUR PREPAR ATION PROCESS COMPARED TO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE, SINGLE-EXAM STRUCTURE? The division of subjec t s a l lowed me to foc u s heavily on each one before taking the test for each one. I also found it motivational when I started to pass the exams one at a time. By the third

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SUPERIOR SERVICE TECHNICIANS

BY NEAL LORENZI

and fourth exam, I was excited to cont inue passing t hem a nd keep the momentum going; sometimes, with large comprehensive exams, so much time is devoted to preparation and studying that you get distracted or lose motivation, so you may never take the exam at all. I was studying for exams and taking them on my own time and at my own pace, so it was easier to fit one test in at a time (worked with my schedule) rather than a large block of time for one comprehensive test.

6. DID YOU FIND THAT BREAKING DOWN THE TOPICS INTO DISTINC T SUBJEC TS MADE IT EASIER TO FOCUS ON SPECIFIC A R E AS OF K NOW L EDGE? Absolutely.

With the breakdown of subjects, I was able to go further into depth, knowing I was only concerned with a cer tain subject rat her t han t he “knowing a little about a lot” style of studying for comprehensive exams.

Additionally, I was able to take all of the exams online through a virtual proctored service, which made taking the exams more accessible a nd c om for t able. Remov i ng t he extra considerations (having to go to a physical proctor location) is the main reason why I was able to get the certification when I did (during our busy season).

7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEWCOMER LOOKING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE HVACR INDUSTRY? My adv ice is: First find a company where professional development is encouraged and where the only limiting factor of the skills you obtain is yourself and not someone else limiting you to fit their business model. Second, a n a bu nd a nc e of r e s ou r c e s a r e available over different mediums, so there is no excuse, other than lack of personal motivation, for being a below average HVACR technician.

Every day is a learning opportunity.

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NATE certifications: HVAC Fundamentals, Comfort and Flow, Elect r ica l a nd Cont rols, I nsta l lat ion a nd S er v ic e. I re c ei ve d t hem i n November 2023.

ABRAHAM RAMOS

4. WHAT VALUE DO YOU FEEL THAT THE NATE CERTIFICATIONS HAVE ON YOUR CAREER IN HVACR? Having NATE certifications increases my value because it shows that I have the knowledge and skills to excel in this industr y. It shows employers and customers that I have met the industr y’s standards and am committed to prov iding great service. Obviously, it can open up more opportunities for career advancement or higher pay ing jobs and help me if I ever decide to start my own business.

1. WHAT IS YOUR TITLE? EMPLOYER? WHAT LOCATION DO YOU SERVE? I am a Service Tech II for Stan’s Heating and Air in Austin, Texas. On a daily basis, I i nspec t a nd ma i nta i n heat i ng , cooling, and ventilation equipment; troubleshoot issues; and do repairs and replacement of parts, making sure that all equipment is running properly.

5. HOW DID THE DIVISION OF THE CHP-5 EXAM (INTO 5 DISTINCT SUBJECTS) IMPACT YOUR PREPARATION PROCESS COMPARED TO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE, SINGLE-EXAM STRUCTURE? It helped because I could focus more on one subject and then move on to the next without worrying about all five subjects and possibly failing a test at the first try.

2. HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE HVACR INDUSTRY? WHAT LED YOU TO A CAREER IN HVACR? I have worked in the HVACR industry for six years.

I wanted a better life for my family and myself. Before entering this field, I was working at a dry cleaner as a delivery driver while attending an Austin Communit y College HVAC program. I was blessed to be part of an education program that helped me accomplish what I have today.

After graduation, I started working at Su nbelt Renta ls on pack ag i ng projects before I was hired by Stan’s Heating and Air.

6. DID YOU FIND THAT BREAKING DOWN THE TOPICS INTO DISTINCT SUBJECTS MADE IT EASIER TO FOCUS ON SPECIFIC AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE? Yes. It made it easier to focus on specific areas of knowledge.

It helped me study more efficiently, allowing me to build a strong mental focus, and a more comprehensive understanding on what I needed to do to achieve NATE certification.

3. WHAT NATE CERTIFICATIONS DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE? WHEN DID YOU GE T YOUR CERTIFICATIONS? I have t hese

7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEWCOMER LOOKING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE HVACR INDUSTRY? Make sure you are ready to focus and stay ready for new things to come. Achieving success in this field is not easy, but if you truly desire to move up in life and in this field, then work hard and focus as much as you can. l

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BY THE NATE MAGAZINE STAFF

PRODUCT NEWS

Product News is backed by Amana brand’s Lifetime Unit Replacement Limited Warranty and 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty. amana-hac.com.

Standard Link air handlers and smart thermostats.

A full line of American Standard Link equipment has been available to American Standard’s independent dealer nationwide since Fall 2022. americanstandardair.com

FUJITSU

AMANA Engineered with forward-thinking technology and built to uncompromising standards, Amana brand AVZC20 inverter-driven heat pumps provide up to 10 HSPF heating and 21 SEER cooling performance.

The AVZC20 features high-performing Comfort Speed inverter technology designed for consistent indoor comfort and quiet, variable-speed, energy-saving operation. With integrated ComfortBridge™ communicating technology, technicians can quickly commission, configure, and diagnose using the CoolCloud™ mobile app.

Exceptional heat transfer properties are delivered using a seven-millimeter, refrigeration-grade premium copper tubing and aluminum-fin condenser coil configuration. Contractor-friendly features include Amana brand control algorithmic logic; coil and ambient temperature sensors; sweat connection service valves with easy access to gauge ports; top and side maintenance access; plus, single-panel access to controls.

Designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA, the AVZC20 is available in 2- to 5-ton units with heating capacities of 22,800 - 52,500 BTU/h. It

AMERICAN STANDARD The Platinum 18 heat pump is part of a new lineup of American Standard communicating equipment featuring American Standard Link, an innovative technology to simplify the installation, commissioning, and remote monitoring of variable-speed HVACR systems.

Created to provide technicians with a plug-and-play experience, it assists with installation accuracy through automated configuration, charging, and system testing; it also works with remote monitoring to provide quicker solutions and more efficient service calls.

Link provides the exact data technicians need for installation and troubleshooting on their own smart devices.

These models have the dual capability to operate with all existing AccuLink variable speed indoor equipment and controls, as well as the future American

Fujitsu General America’s multi-position air handler units are now compatible with the company’s extra low temperature heating (XLTH) outdoor units, which provide heating capacity at outdoor temperatures as low as -15°F. Available in four sizes from 24,000 to 48,000 BTU/H, the multi-position air handlers feature all-aluminum indoor unit coils, high static pressure capability, indoor sound levels as low as 24 dBA, and adaptive fan motor control for optimum comfort.

Minimal clearance is needed on three sides of the indoor unit, with only 21 inches clearance needed in the front for service. Down-flow and horizontal right kits come standard with each system. Field-installed electric heat kits up to 15.5kW are factory provided.

External input/output interface for third-party systems is optional.

WiFi compatibility is also optional so that systems can be controlled remotely through Fujitsu’s FGLair mobile app and smart home services such as Amazon Echo or Google Home.

Optional accessories include wired remote controller, simple remote controller, wireless LAN interface, third-part y thermostat converter, external input and output PCB, external connect kit, electric heater kit, combustible floor base, and an external filter box. fujitsugeneral.com

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PRODUCT NEWS

BY THE NATE MAGAZINE STAFF

MITSUBISHI

GOODMAN The Goodman® brand GVZC20 heat pump capitalizes on inverter technology to drive up to 10 HSPF heating and 21 SEER cooling performance.

Goodman’s inverter-driven systems provide tremendous efficiencies, helping reduce compressor wear and tear.

They run at more energy-conserving speeds, reach indoor comfort settings more quickly, balance heat load through continuous dehumidification, and operate at lower sound levels, avoiding the constant on/off cycling compared to single- and two-stage systems.

The GVZC20 is compatible with ComfortBridge communicating technolog y, allowing for easy commissioning and diagnostics using the CoolCloud phone/tablet application.

Contractor-friendly features include Goodman control algorithmic log ic; diag nost ic indicator lig hts a nd seven-seg ment d isplay w it h fau lt code storage; coi l/a mbient temperature sensors; sweat connection service valves; easy gauge port access; and more.

Av a i lable i n 2- to 5 -ton u n it s, with 23,400-52,000 BTU/h heating capacities.

Like all Goodman brand indoor comfort products, the GVZC20 heat pump is designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA. goodmanmfg.com.

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Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US has introduced the Simple Ductless Wired (SDW) remote controller. The SDW remote controller is simple to use and is compatible with existing thermostat wire, allowing for easier installation.

Suitable for multifamily applications, the SDW controller features programmable presets with seven-day scheduling.

The dual setpoint auto changeover and advanced installer setup options can be used to adjust settings to fit the needs of each user. Users can select their preferred humidity level with the new Auto-DRY function, which helps regulate the moisture level of the indoor air.

MitsubishiComfort.com

at one of the quietest sound levels of any furnace on the market. Water can be supplied to the NPF either through an auto-fill ¼- inch water connection or through an easily accessible manual fill water reservoir.

The NPF features industry-leading variable capacity that can modulate down to 15% for an unparalleled level of comfort that allows the unit to meet year-round heating needs.

Navieninc.com

NAVIEN The Navien NPF Hydro-furnace is now shipping. First announced during its virtual launch event on Sept. 26, 2023, the NPF forced air hydro-furnace is Navien’s introduction into the HVACR market.

Available in upflow and horizontal configurations, the NPF comes in two sizes of 60,000 BTU/h and 100,000 BTU/h that both boast 97.0% AFUE, utilize high-efficiency ECM motor technology, and meet the stringent requirements of SCAQMD rule 1111 for Ultra-Low NOx performance.

The NPF uses Navien’s industry-proven stainless steel heat exchangers to heat water in an isolated compartment out of the airstream, which provides sound-reduction and energy efficiency.

The heated water is circulated through a hydronic coil that transfers the heat into the airstream for the ultimate in quiet, forced-air heating comfort. The sealed combustion design allows the NPF to deliver comfortable heat without significantly impacting humidity levels

TRANE The Trane Platinum XV20i heat pump features Trane Link, a revolutionary communication technology that simplifies installation, commissioning, and remote monitoring of Trane’s variable speed systems.

Created to provide technicians with a plug-and-play experience, Trane Link assists with the installation accuracy of the XV20i through automated configuration, charging, and system testing.

Technicians can ensure a speedier setup as Trane Link self-identifies the equipment, provides an automatic connection through Bluetooth mesh, and utilizes standardized color-coated wiring.

Through Trane Link, technicians also can experience more efficient service calls and troubleshooting, as the technology provides the exact data they need on their own smart device.

Trane.com

FEBRUARY 2024

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©2023 American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning

Just what every homeowner wants: water stain wall art.

Your customers have enough problems.

But with a reliable, easy-to-use heating and cooling system from American Standard, they (and you) have one less thing to worry about.

Learn how to become an American Standard dealer

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THANK GOODNESS FOR GOODMAN

WE’VE TURNED HVAC ON ITS SIDE.

Goodman SD

Side Discharge Inverter System Don’t get us wrong, we love our traditional HVAC cube style units, but we know they’re not always “one-sizefits-all.” Introducing the Goodman brand SD (Side Discharge) HVAC system redefining efficiency and convenience.

AVAILABLE FOR AIR CONDITIONER, HEAT PUMP, AND DUAL FUEL APPLICATIONS! A C - U P T O 17. 2 S E E R 2 H P - U P T O 17. 5 S E E R 2 / 8 . 5 H S P F 2

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