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Beyond the Fundamentals

Specialty Certifications

Most assessments address basic air conditioning and refrigeration knowledge. HVAC Excellence Specialty Certifications go beyond — system design, system performance, and maximizing the energy efficiency of HVACR equipment.

8
Specialty Exams
None
Prerequisite
All
Levels Eligible
[ 01 ]   Why Specialty

Exceed the average industry job requirements.

Progressive levels of certification — student, technician, instructor — help identify the scope and level of one's competency. Specialty exams address system design, system performance, and maximizing the energy efficiency of HVACR equipment.

Possessing the knowledge required to pass these exams verifies that one has exceeded the average industry job requirements, improving their value to their employer or potential employer.

Prerequisite
None

Specialty Certifications are available to students, technicians, and instructors alike — no prior certification required to sit for the exam.

[ 02 ]   The Exams

8 Specialty Certification exams.

Click any exam to expand its full description and competencies.

The safe use of refrigerants is one of the most critical responsibilities of today's HVACR technicians. This exam addresses the safe handling of A3 (highly flammable) refrigerants.

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Competencies Covered
General flammable refrigerant safety knowledge
Core ACR knowledge
Flammable system service safety
Flammable system installation safety
Flammable refrigerant transportation & handling safety

The Low GWP Refrigerant Safety exam addresses the safe handling of A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants, central to the industry's low-GWP transition.

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Competencies Covered
General flammable refrigerant safety knowledge
Core ACR knowledge
Flammable system service safety
Flammable system installation safety
Flammable refrigerant transportation & handling safety

HVAC equipment is only as good as the installation. Studies show most residential HVACR equipment is not installed to manufacturer specifications, costing the consumer and the installation company money.

This certification validates that one has the knowledge required to properly set up an air conditioning or heating system to achieve the equipment's desired efficiency ratings.

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Four Parts
Refrigerant charging
Psychrometrics
Combustion efficiency
Airflow

Residential energy studies show that 72% of systems are improperly sized. Determining the proper heating and cooling load for a structure is one of the most important processes before installing a new HVAC system.

A system that is too large or small can greatly impact the occupant's comfort and health, as well as the energy consumption of the structure and equipment life. This 100-question exam measures one's ability to properly understand and determine what is required to perform a heating and cooling load for a structure.

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Outcomes Validated
Optimal system performance
Less energy consumption
Longer equipment life
Greater customer satisfaction

When it comes to mechanicals (HVAC, plumbing and electrical), "Green" means fuel and energy efficiency, renewable and sustainable fuel sources, and water conservation.

The four-part exam covers concepts, terminology, systems, and the latest in green mechanical technology, including energy efficiency, energy management, comfort heating and cooling combination systems, HVACR, electrical, and plumbing.

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Areas Covered
Energy efficiency & management
Comfort heating / cooling combos
HVACR systems
Electrical & plumbing

To comply with the International Energy Code, most states now require duct and building envelope testing for both new construction and retrofits.

Consisting of a written and a hands-on exam, persons who pass prove their ability to set up equipment and perform duct and envelope leakage testing — skills that set them apart.

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Exam Covers
Understanding of the envelope
Duct leakage testing procedures
Envelope (structure) testing procedures
Methods of expressing results
Terminology

The R-410A Certification exam addresses the issues of safe handling with the use of R-410A refrigerant. This AC&R Safety Coalition exam validates that a person possesses the knowledge to safely work with this high-pressure refrigerant, helping to reduce liability.

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Exam Covers
Proper safety
Handling
Application of R-410A

Persons with energy auditing skills are among the most sought-after technicians in the HVACR industry. This certification is a series of written and performance exams that add skill sets to HVACR students and technicians, making them more valuable to future employers.

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Topics Include
Heat transfer & building envelope analysis
Heat gain/loss calculations, airflow
Blower door & duct blaster lab
Infrared imaging; health & safety (CO, mold, lead, asbestos)
Combustion analysis, electricity, water auditing
[ 03 ]   For Educators & Proctors