Step Two: Online Training

There are dozens of options for online training, a lot of which are free. I take many of these courses myself and I always learn something.

Many online training courses also offer Professional Development Hours that are accepted by some states and organizations for annual CEU requirements. The point is, investing your time in these courses extends beyond just what you learn.

Here are several online training courses to consider:

• Taco Comfort Solutions offers webinars, online courses, and training videos
• IMI Hydronic Engineering offer’s Hydronic College that provides webinars and courses on subjects such as Balancing Fundamentals, Pump Optimization and Pressure Independent Balancing and Control Valves
• A few others include Lochinvar University, Armstrong Fluid Technologies (over 130 webinars), Thermal Tech, Inc., and Emerson Swan. There are multiple others out there, too many to list. If you go to any manufacture of hydronic system components, 90% will have some sort of training
• Finally, NEBB has recently updated the NEBB Learning Center to provide a wider variety of TAB training options.

Step Three: Attend Live Training

Another complaint that I hear is that there simply is no classroom/hands-on training available. Well, there is more than you realize, if you simply look.

For example, there is a two-day hydronic TAB course offered by the National Comfort Institute (NCI) called, “Hydronic Testing, Adjusting and Balancing.” This class is solely dedicated to hydronic TAB and is capped at 12 students to ensure optimum hands-on training. It is offered at both the NCI California and Ohio training centers.

NEBB offers multiple Testing Adjusting and Balancing Seminars around the country at various locations including the NEBB headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland or the IMI Training Center in Irving, TX.

Their current TAB Training team are some of the best TAB professionals in the country.

Engineered Air Balance in Houston, TX, offers classes in TAB Fundamentals and Air & Water Systems Procedures. I’ve toured their AABC-Endorsed training center, sat in on classes, and have been highly impressed.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the apprenticeship training opportunities offered by both the Sheet Metal Workers and Fitters Unions in various areas.

Union Training

This past winter, I got to tour most of the training centers for Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 in Central California, and it was like Disneyland for TAB Geeks. They have amazing training centers with very capable and experienced trainers.

In general, people don’t know that many of the Pipefitter/Steamfitter Locals offer TAB training, and who better to teach hydronic systems? I’ve recently had multiple conversations with the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16, regarding TAB training.

District 16 represents 13 Locals in Southern California. However, if interested in either the Sheet Metal or Pipefitter’s programs, you’ll need to contact the local in your area to find out what options are available.

Click Below for the Next Page: