Tag Archives: Accredited Local HVAC Trade Schools near Brimfield IL 61517

How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs Brimfield IL

How to Pick the Right Heating and Cooling Training Program near Brimfield Illinois

air conditioner condensers in Brimfield ILOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next action is to choose an HVAC trade school near Brimfield IL. But with so many to select from, how do you decide on the right one to obtain the training that you require? A number of prospective students will make their selection based exclusively on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Even though these are important considerations, they are not the only ones to evaluate. A few of the other things that you need to research are the graduation completion rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. Those and additional benchmarks will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to pick an HVAC training program, let’s look at what a heating and air conditioning professional does to become a licensed qualified tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Specialist

Brimfield IL HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though each state and regional municipality has its own criteria. Acquiring professional certification is not compulsory, but an alternative way for Brimfield IL HVAC techs to demonstrate that they are exceptionally skilled and accomplished in their area of expertise. There are many respected certifications within the industry that are offered. Here are a few of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination and may be received in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. Two years of professional experience in addition to passing a comprehensive examination are required for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience along with a passing score on the professional level exam. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for technicians that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification offered, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing may be required in your location, and you may also desire to obtain certification, it’s imperative that you pick an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will more than likely be working with refrigerants, make certain that the program you choose readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree Schools

radiator heater in Brimfield IL homeThere are several options available for HVAC training in a technical or trade school. You can attain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Earning a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically achieved in just six months, however some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will provide more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short explanation of each credential offered near Brimfield IL.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among entry level commercial or residential HVAC specialists. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program delivers a more detailed background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally requiring two years to finish, some degrees include an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more towards a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a conventional 4 year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the right credential program will be dependent on what your future career objectives are, in addition to the time and financial resources that you have to invest. One approach is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Brimfield IL, eventually going back to earn a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Schools Online

Brimfield IL student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC school online is one possibility in attaining your education and receiving a certificate or degree. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete practical training. Many also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or as an alternative to practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes may be participated in via the internet, this alternative may be a more accessible solution for many Brimfield IL students that are short on time. And many online degree programs are less costly than other on campus alternatives. Even driving expenses from Brimfield and study supplies can be lessened, helping to make schooling more budget-friendly. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with limited time to attend classes, perhaps an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to fit school into your hectic schedule.

Questions For HVAC Trade Schools

Questions to ask Brimfield IL HVAC training schoolsWhen you have decided on the type of degree or certificate that you want to acquire, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your list of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC technical schools in the Brimfield IL area and all over the Country to select from. That’s why it is imperative to have a list of key qualifications when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 factors you will take into consideration. Following are several additional ones that you will want to explore before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational programs in the Brimfield IL area have attained either a regional or a national accreditation. They may receive Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, such as HVAC technology. Verify that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you receive an excellent education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are in many cases not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, some states mandate that the HVAC training program be accredited for it to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are considering what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate might suggest that students were unhappy with the course and quit. It may also mean that the teachers were not competent to train the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only affirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Brimfield IL HVAC employers to assist graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC training programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and technical schools will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC businesses or trade unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Brimfield IL HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only offers a valuable experience by providing hands-on training, but it also furnishes employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are already in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC specialist you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Brimfield IL HVAC contracting company if they can give you some pointers. Also bear in mind that unless you can move, the school needs to be within commuting distance of your Brimfield IL home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to relocation costs there may be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you receive as much personalized instruction as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can monitor some of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and witness first hand the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their opinions concerning class sizes and instruction. Finally, talk to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they hold.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Brimfield IL, confirm that the schools you are looking at provide those choices. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Finally, check out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, sickness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Brimfield IL?

Perhaps you are considering enrolling in an HVAC training program in the Brimfield Illinois area.  If so, you may find the following background information about the location of your new school campus both interesting and informative.

Brimfield, Illinois

According to the 2010 census, Brimfield has a total area of 0.785 square miles (2.03 km2), of which 0.78 square miles (2.02 km2) (or 99.36%) is land and 0.005 square miles (0.01 km2) (or 0.64%) is water.[4]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 933 people, 362 households, and 245 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,238.7 people per square mile (480.3/km²). There were 369 housing units at an average density of 489.9 per square mile (190.0/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.50% White, 0.32% Native American, 0.21% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 362 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.18.

How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs Brimfield IL

Enrolling in the ideal HVAC training program is an important first step toward a rewarding career in the heating and air conditioning industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding How to Choose HVAC Degree Programs. However, as we have covered in this post, you should choose an Heating and Cooling technical school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC profession. Other features to search for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to visit each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to inspect the campus and speak with both the current students and faculty. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options too. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have laid out in our guidelines for evaluating schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the right training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC technician in Brimfield IL.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Illinois

  • HVAC Training Courses Lyndon IL
  • Air Conditioning Course Williamsville IL
  • HVAC Service Technician Schools Bedford Park IL
  • HVAC Program Sycamore IL
  • HVAC Tech School Lacon IL
  • HVAC Certification Courses Online Hometown IL
  • Air Conditioning Repair Training East Peoria IL
  • HVAC Technician Program Oneida IL
  • Online HVAC Degree Livingston IL
  • Trade Schools for HVAC Apple River IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 31

    Morris Heating and Ac
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Home Cleaning
    Phone:
    6616 Kramm Rd, Brimfield, IL 61517

    AirAce Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    1186 Carolyn Ct, East Peoria, IL 61611

    Montefusco HVAC
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2200 W Altorfer Dr, Peoria, IL 61615

    Fritch Heating & Cooling
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1004 NE Adams St, Peoria, IL 61603

    Staats Service Today
    3 Reviews
    Appliances & Repair, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    601 S Main St, Creve Coeur, IL 61610

    A & A Air Conditioning & Heating
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4030 SW Adams St, Peoria, IL 61605

    Armstrong Heating & Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    827 E War Memorial Dr, Peoria Heights, IL 61616

    Tri County Heating & Cooling
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Peoria, IL 61614

    Danco Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    100 Pinecrest Dr, East Peoria, IL 61611

    Meister Heating & Air Conditioning
    2 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    711 S Kickapoo Creek Rd, Peoria, IL 61604