WHAT IS NATE?

NATE is an independent organization that certifies installation or service technicians with a knowledge-based test. Organizations that are part of the NATE coalition include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

HOW DO YOU BECOME NATE CERTIFIED?

To become NATE certified installation, you must pass both core and specialty tests with a score of 70 or better. Specialties include heat pump, air conditioning, air distribution, oil heat and gas heat. The NATE test is not easy, and not all technicians pass it the first time. The NATE certification verifies that the technicians who pass are the best in the trade when it comes to knowledge and experience installing or servicing your home heating or cooling system.

Top professionals selected based on exceptional quality, service, and value.

The program awards top rated service professionals in the HomeAdvisor network based on exceptional quality, service and value, as rated by real HomeAdvisor homeowners. Less than five percent of the service professionals in the HomeAdvisor network of 85,000 received the inaugural award.

“The Best of HomeAdvisor winners are among the highest rated service professionals in the HomeAdvisor network,” said Chris Terrill, CEO for HomeAdvisor. “Professionals who receive this prestigious award should be proud and honored as they truly represent the exceptional quality of the HomeAdvisor network.”

To be eligible for the Best of HomeAdvisor Award, professionals must be in the HomeAdvisor network for six months or longer with an average rating score of 4.0. HomeAdvisor rating is on a scale of 1-5 and ratings and reviews can only be submitted by homeowners who have been referred to that professional by HomeAdvisor. To be included in the HomeAdvisor network, service professionals undergo comprehensive criminal and financial background checks.

focus on energy

Focus on Energy empowers the people and businesses of Wisconsin to make smart energy decisions with enduring economic benefits.

Since 2001, Wisconsin’s energy efficiency and renewable resource program has stayed true to that mission statement.

On behalf of 107 Wisconsin electric and natural gas utilities, Focus on Energy’s information, resources and financial incentives benefit all Wisconsinites by implementing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that otherwise wouldn’t happen, or in some cases years sooner than scheduled.

WHAT IS E.P.A. CERTIFICATION?

The U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) offers certification (EPA 608 certification) to technicians who demonstrate knowledge of the multiple laws and rules that are involved in handling HVAC chemicals, such as the refrigerant found in air conditioners and heat pumps, R-22 and R-410A. Any technician who plans to work with building air conditioning and refrigeration systems must pass a written test to receive one of four different certification levels. The highest level of certification is the Universal Certification, which is for technicians who maintain, service, or repair both low and high-pressure equipment and small appliances.

WY IS E.P.A. CERTIFICAITON IMPORTANT?

The EPA currently requires that all people who work with any system that contains refrigerant (such as heat pumps and air conditioners) have an EPA 608 certification. Technicians are not permitted to purchase refrigerants unless they have this credential. In other words, a non-certified technician isn’t someone that who is allowed to work on your home’s heat pump or air conditioner, and they certainly can’t recharge refrigerant if it runs low.