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NATE is continuing its efforts to educate homeowners about the importance of selecting contractors who hire NATE-certified technicians. Initially launched in 2011, this consumer awareness campaign primarily focuses on educating consumers about NATE through national network radio advertisements, which are currently underway on a mix of news, sports, and entertainment programs. In addition to these radio spots, NATE is also partnering with industry manufacturers who are including NATE in their own ads to help spread the word about the quality assurance offered by NATE certification.

The ad campaign continues in 2012 as ads are strategically scheduled to air during the spring and fall, reaching homeowners when they are beginning to think about preparing their air conditioning and heating systems, respectively. The message of the radio spots explains that NATE certification offers consumer protection and peace-of-mind, driving listeners to the NATE consumer website (www.hvacradvice.com) to find a qualified contractor in their area.

What’s in it for YOU?

In addition to its increased consumer awareness efforts, NATE is also implementing a variety of other marketing initiatives in 2012. For example, NATE is introducing an expanded offering of marketing materials for contractors and other partners to help them promote their affiliation with NATE. From a brochure about the benefits of working with NATE-certified technicians that contractors can leave with prospective customers, to radio ads and online materials that qualified contractors can utilize to highlight their NATE-certified technicians, NATE is providing a wealth of new tools and resources for its contractor partners. In addition, NATE is also offering new marketing materials for its testing and training facilities. The development of new advertisements for use in industry publications will also help to increase awareness and interest in NATE certification among HVACR professionals.

For more information and updates on the availability of these materials, visit www.natex.org.

The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is now accepting NATE certification as one of its eligibility options for accreditation of HVAC contractors. NATE is one of two independent certifications included in the eligibility criteria for HVAC contractors pursuing BPI Accredited Contractor status. In addition to NATE certification in either Oil or Gas specialties, BPI also recognizes independent certification through the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA).

As the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for HVACR practices, NATE certification was further elevated in 2011 upon being recognized with the prestigious ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation. Also setting it apart from other industry organizations, NATE certification applies only to HVACR technicians, with nearly 30,000 technicians nationwide holding an active NATE certification today. BPI’s accreditation of HVAC contractors requires that they employ at least one technician with either NATE or NORA certification, as well as BPI Building Analyst certification.

According to Ray Isaac, president of Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning in Rochester, New York, “This update to BPI’s accreditation program ensures that all accredited contractors have technicians on staff who are trained to get the job done right. NATE certification is one clear way to demonstrate a technician’s ability to perform at the industry’s highest standards.”

For more information, visit www.natex.org.

Women in HVACR will host their ninth annual conference – “Navigating Change” – in Schaumburg, Ill., at the Schaumburg Convention Center, Sept. 18-19 in conjunction with Comfortech & Mechanical Systems Week 2012.

The conference kicks off with a luau reception featuring Polynesian musicians and hula dancers on Tuesday night, Sept. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. The reception is followed on Wednesday, Sept. 19, by a full day of workshops and educational sessions presented by industry leaders.

Some featured speakers include Polly Craighill, first woman Sr. Legislative Counselor, U.S. Senate; Blaine Fox, vice president of business development for Warm Thoughts Communications; and financier Sandy Bluestine. They will discuss the topics of navigating changes in the marketplace, how to take five positive steps to change, and Bluestine will share tips for how to, “Get your cheeseburger in paradise.”

More speakers and topics are being added to the agenda.

Join Women in HVACR for this exciting event as you reconnect with old friends and network with other women leaders in the industry.

Registration is open online at www.womeninhvacr.org.

It’s time to take inventory of your NATE certification. Have you just started the process, are in you in need of recertification? NATE would like to help you assess your progress and get you complete and up-to-date. Take the survey and then let NATE know what they can do to help.

Contact us at DAnaman@natex.org and let us know what we can do to help. We will answer your questions about initial certification, recertification, and anything else that might have you considering NATE certification.

Here’s a hot tip to help you find exactly what you are looking for on www.natex.org. Check out the search box in the upper right hand corner. Type in the topic you want to know more about and click “Submit.”

You will be directly linked to a page of information on the topic of your choice. If you don’t find it the first time, try using a broader search term.

How important is it to keep up to date with NATE? Very! It is important to keep all of your personal information current with NATE including your email, home address, and employer information. This is how we stay in contact and inform you of new information pertaining to NATE such as test results, renewal notifications, and e-newsletters like the NATE Advantage. If your email isn’t up to date, how will you receive this information?

And, if you don’t update your employer information when you switch jobs, we can’t approve you for the consumer contractor technician listing. The NATE certification belongs to you, so make sure you update your information to take full advantage of it.

To update your information, log on to www.natetesting.com, click “Candidates” and use your NATE ID and PIN or log in with your MyNATE username and password.

Technicians
To find a NATE testing organization
 
To find NATE training resources
 
Information on NATE recertification
 
Contractors
To sign up for the free NATE contractor locator as featured on
www.hvacradvice.com click here
 
To update your listing (recommended at least twice a year) click here
 
To visit the NATE consumer web site http://www.hvacradvice.com