Consumers look to utilities for advice on which units save energy and money, which method of heating or cooling is the cleanest and safest, and they expect technicians employed by the utility or recommended by them to be knowledgeable and proficient. Moreover, if a consumer buys equipment which is energy efficient, he expects the full benefits of the system, and improper installation may mean the system functions with less than optimum efficiency.

Because NATE-certified technicians are skilled in the proper installation and service of HVAC equipment which means equipment that operates at peak efficiency. This helps you achieve load shape and energy goals. Moreover, in the EPA's Energy Star booklet, A Guide To Energy Efficient Cooling and Heating, page fourteen states:

"Ask whether a contractor's service technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) to professionally install and service cooling and heating systems. For a list of contractors that employ NATE-certified technicians in your state, visit www.natex.org."

Over 110 million readers saw a Public Service Announcement in a newspaper about NATE in 2004. Over 304 million aggregate listeners heard a NATE Public Service Announcement telling them how to save on heating or cooling bills, how to find a contractor, or how to choose an Energy Star compliant piece of equipment when replacing a home unit. With 13-Seer coming in January 2006, having well-trained technicians is more important than ever.

NATE Certifications are available for Installation and Service technicians working on residential and light commercial Air Conditioning, Air Distribution, Gas Heating, Heat Pumps, and Oil Heating equipment and systems. Many utilities offer NATE testing. Alabama Power sends users reminders that technicians with NATE certification can properly install and service units.

Because NATE-certified technicians are skilled in the proper installation and service of HVAC equipment which means equipment that operates at peak efficiency. The result? Everyone saves.

Certifications are available for Installation and Service technicians working on units of 35 tons or less, and 400,000 BTU's or less.  These certifications are for:

• Air Conditioning,
• Air Distribution,
• Gas Heating,
• Heat Pumps, and
• Oil Heating equipment and systems.

Many states have utilities involved in NATE testing: Alabama, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Nebraska, to name only a few. NATE certification is a requirement for a contractor license in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Testing Organizations
Any utility can apply to become a testing organization (See Tests and Testing Organizations) by filling out a testing organization application and by agreeing to follow the Testing Organization guidelines, policies, and procedures. Testing Organizations can offer the NATE test and training for the NATE test or recertification testing to both their employees and to technicians working for contractors in their area.

Proctors
Testing Organizations must have proctors to administer the tests, and utility employees can become proctors. All NATE testing sessions, whether electronic or paper and pencil must have a proctor administer the test. Proctors do not have to be skilled technicians, but they must be good administrators who can follow NATE guidelines and who will read the proctor script to technicians at every testing session.

There are three conflict of interest situations with which all proctors must comply.  Proctors should not :

• Be an employer or co-worker who can hire or fire any candidate in he testing session
• Be a relative of anyone in the testing session
• Receive direct financial gain from the outcome of any candidate's testing.

Many organizations may have two or more trainers who are proctors, and this is so candidates can be tested by a proctor who has not trained them. It is not a conflict of interest if Proctor A trains Group A and proctors the test for Group B, nor is it a conflict of interest for Proctor B to administer the test to Group A.

Training and NATE Recognized Training
Utilities can provide training for the NATE test, can offer Recertification CEUs that are NATE Recognized, or can offer CEUs that are not NATE Recognized. Utilities have a unique position in that they directly work with consumers and contractors and are highly visible to both groups. For consumers they are a resource for energy saving ideas; for contractors they can provide training and continuing education.

Training for the NATE tests is not always suitable for continuing education, especially if the material in the course primarily covers what are fundamental or basic entry-level skills. Courses submitted will be evaluated and will earn NATE Recognition depending upon subject areas derived from the KATEs (Knowledge Areas of Technician Expertise) that they cover.

Courses which earn NATE Recognition are suitable for use as CEU’s for Recertification by continuing Education. These courses are referred to as NATE-Recognized Training.

To earn course recognition, the course material must be submitted with an Alignment Recognition document (available on the Forms & Data page) that contains a checklist of skills, topics and items covered by each KATE. By checking the boxes, the training provider shows how his course’s curriculum relates to the NATE test knowledge base, the KATEs. It costs $50 per course to submit them for approval. NATE Recognition process may take four to six weeks.

After a course earns NATE Recognition, it is listed as a Recognized Training Provider on NATE’s website and issued a course identification number, and information about how many CEU’s it gives the recertification candidate, how many specialties it counts toward, etc…

Candidates can take courses which have not earned NATE Recognition, but the burden of proof for showing how it directly relates to the KATEs lies with the candidate who should submit a 25-50 word description of the course which specifies its relevance.

Utilities Speak Out
Bob Hawkins (Alabama Power): "When compared to peer utilities, Alabama Power Company is always in the top quartile of Customer Satisfaction. We have done this by going the extra mile for our customers. One of the ways that we have accomplished this goal is to promote NATE certification and to encourage additional NATE training for dealers and their technicians. We genuinely feel that a NATE certified technician is able to provide a higher level of expertise that leads directly to increased customer satisfaction."

Alabama Power (a Southern Company) consumer flyer: “Rely on NATE. For all of your heating and cooling needs, be sure to rely on a technician certified by the North American Technician Excellence Certification Program. Alabama Power supports the NATE program, which is an independent, non-profit coalition of representatives of the heating and cooling industry and governmental bodies.”