With investors and occupants demanding more energy efficient buildings, the need for quality heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians has never been higher. But with a growing market and a complex discipline, how do you stand out from hundreds of other contractors?
The answer is by attaining the right TAB certification, and this article explores how you can do that.
TAB Certification 101
What is TAB?
Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) is a method designed to ensure a building’s HVAC system is functioning optimally. It features three distinct processes:
- Testing: Using a range of parameters to assess whether the system meets design specifications and functions properly.
- Adjusting: Correcting imbalances and fine-tuning various components to fix issues within the system.
- Balancing: Assessing and optimizing the distribution of heating and cooling throughout all areas of the building.
Three Ways TAB Supports Building Projects
Even relatively small imbalances in the HVAC system can cause a range of problems for buildings, occupants, and owners. As a result, TAB work offers three crucial benefits:
- Increased Energy Efficiency
HVAC is responsible for roughly 39% of all building energy consumption, but many systems use mor energy than they need to operate properly. TAB ensures the system only uses the amount of energy it needs to run, avoiding runaway operating costs and reducing the building’s carbon footprint.
- Improved Occupant Experience
Ineffective or poorly balanced HVAC systems often lead to occupant discomfort. But by maintaining a proper relationship between building pressure and outside environments, TAB creates ideal indoor air conditions and encourages higher occupancy.
- Reduced Delays
Many engineering firms believe TAB systems are “self-correcting” and do not adequately verify or adjust the systems during installation – leading to expensive and time-consuming repair work down the line. But including TAB in the construction process avoids these issues, reduces potential delays and ultimately increases the value of the building.
These benefits have led to ever-increasing demand for TAB work – but will a certification help you win more of those contracts?
The Top Three Benefits to Being a TAB Certified HVAC Technician
Many architects and engineers do not have intricate knowledge of the TAB processes – and therefore rely on the knowledge and skills of their TAB professional. The right TAB certification gives technicians a competitive advantage through:
- Structured Processes
The process of earning and retaining a TAB certification unlocks a level of technical proficiency other contractors lack – and non-experts can immediately sense. This is evident within the first engagement: certified professionals learn a robust onboarding process wherein they request exhaustive documentation and produce a set of marked-up drawings and test sheets.
- Improved Quality
Many architects and engineers wish to cut costs by employing cheaper TAB contractors, but this leads them to see the poor-quality work uncertified professional produce.
For example: Uncertified technicians often prepare their tests without a proper understanding of the sequence of operations, leading to poor systems analysis – mistakes a certified professional simply would not make.
- Ongoing Training
Building owners want to benefit from the latest techniques and technologies – which require their contractor to have up-to-date knowledge. Firms like NEBB include ongoing education in their certification process, helping you stay ahead of industry trends.
How to Attain the Right TAB Certification
As the popularity of TAB has grown, so too has have the number of firms offering certification programs. This puts you in a tough spot: you know the decision is important, but it feels also impossible to evaluate the relative merits of different firms.
The best way to solve this problem is focus on three core factors:
- Firm Reputation: Many architects and engineers will not delve into the nitty-gritty details of your certification process – but they will assess the firm who issued the certification. That is why you must seek certification from a firm with an international reputation for quality and exacting standards, as this will immediately “rub off” on you and improve your own reputation.
- Training Support: Many certification firms simply leave their candidates to study the textbooks, but you should expect practical experience and seminars to be part of the training process – to ensure you are ready to put your certification into practice immediately.
- Discipline Breadth: HVAC systems vary greatly, and your chosen certification should prepare you to deal with all of them confidently. This is best supported by a “Total Systems” approach that covers multiple avenues for the TAB discipline.
Considering these three factors reveals that relatively few certification firms will actually help you gain the professional advantage you want – and just one can deliver everything you need.
Become a TAB-Certified Professional with NEBB
For over 30 years, NEBB has been considered the international gold-standard for building systems testing certifications. Our TAB certification has exacting standards, including an extensive learning period and exams designed and maintained by an expert panel.
Want to learn how our certification could transform your career?