The Need for R-410A Certification
Mainstream Engineering is proud to offer many certification programs, all of which provide heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) training in key areas. One of the main certifications offered by Mainstream is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 certification. While this EPA certification gives some preliminary insight into the use of the refrigerant R-410A, many HVAC/R experts believe that many technicians should have more training in the use of this refrigerant.
Today, we will discuss the R-410A certification offered by Mainstream Engineering. Read on to learn more about obtaining this certification and how it can further your knowledge as a HVAC/R technician.
What Is R-410A Certification?
To understand what R-410A certification is, we should first clarify what exactly R-410A itself is. Since January 1, 2010, air conditioner and heat pump manufacturers have not been able to use the refrigerant R-22 in new units. R-22 is a refrigerant that has particularly negative effects on our planet’s ozone layer, and thus the EPA has slowly been phasing it out of use since the Montreal Protocol in 1994. R-410A is the refrigerant that has been used to replace R-22 in most of the world because it does not deplete the ozone layer of the planet.
After January 1, 2020, the EPA will no longer allow R-22 to be manufactured to service existing air conditioners and heat pumps. At this point, R-22 will essentially be entirely phased out, and R-410A will be the refrigerant most widely used in the HVAC/R industry. For that reason, it is crucial that technicians are fully trained on the use of R-410A.
R-410A certification from Mainstream Engineering is designed to provide technicians with additional training on the use of R-410A. Those who have completed EPA Section 608 certification will know the basics of using R-410A, but our additional certification program provides much needed additional training.
The Need for Additional Training
In order to use R-410A, systems must use much higher pressures than they would use for other refrigerants, such as R-22. As a result, residential and commercial air conditioners or heat pumps that utilize R-410A as a primary refrigerant operate at higher pressures than systems designed to use other refrigerants. This means that additional training in the use of R-410A is necessary in order to ensure that these systems are serviced in a safe way.
While most HVAC/R technicians – particularly those with their Section 608 certification – will know how to properly install and service most units, training in the use of R-410A is essential. This additional training helps ensure that services are performed in a way that does not harm the technician or the customers that the technician serves. While additional training may seem silly at first, it is a simple way to make sure HVAC/R technicians and the environment they work in are kept safe.
How to Receive R-410A Certification
Receiving your R-410A certification from Mainstream Engineering is straightforward. Simply study for the certification exam using our free, online R-410A manual, and then take the open book test. The exam costs $24.95, and can be retaken for only $5.95 per attempt. Once you have been certified, you will receive a wallet-sized certification card.
A R-410A certification from Mainstream can help propel your career as an HVAC/R technician. It proves that you are prepared to service R-410A systems in a safe way. Choose Mainstream Engineering for your certification today.