THERMAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMFORT ASSOCIATION

TECA's superior training courses were developed as minimum standards for the residential and light commercial heating and ventilation trade. Over the years, TECA's Certified Heating Technician courses have gained national attention for their technical accuracy, simplicity, inspectability and low cost.

The Thermal Environmental Comfort Association is a BC-registered, not-for-profit society started in 2006. It is the successor organization to HVCI and RHWHA. TECA represents forced air and hot water (hydronic) contractors in the residential heating, ventilating and cooling industry. The association's volunteer board and technical committees have a 20-year history of training, participation in provincial policy issues, and commitment to standards and certification through their involvement as former HVCI and RHWHA members. Through TECA, the goal of a provincially accredited, Certified Heating Technician training program and credential for residential heating, ventilation and cooling industry professionals has been realized.

The two associations began a dialogue with the provincial Industry Training Authority (ITA) and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) regarding the need for training in the residential heating trade. The establishment of a provincial certification, training program and apprenticeship (Certified Heating Technician) was proposed for trade members who install heating and ventilation systems in BC. Moving this goal forward was one of the primary reasons for the amalgamation of the two associations into one organization representing both the forced air and hydronic sides of the industry. With the creation of the Thermal Environmental Comfort Association (TECA) in 2006, the proposal for the Certified Heating Technician (CHT) was approved and the pilot initiative began, with the predecessor associations' respected training manuals – now all under TECA's Quality First™ brand – as the foundation of the new apprenticeship program.