Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Course Glendale Heights IL

How to Pick the Right HVAC Certification Training near Glendale Heights Illinois

air conditioner condensers in Glendale Heights ILNow that you have made a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner specialist, the next step is to choose an HVAC technical school near Glendale Heights IL. But with so many to choose from, how do you select the ideal one to get the training that you need? Some potential students will make their decision based solely on the cost of tuition or how near the school is to their residence. Although these are necessary factors to consider, they are not the only ones to evaluate. A few of the other details that you need to look into are the graduation rates of the HVAC schools, their reputations, and if they are accredited by professional trade organizations. These and other criteria will be addressed in more detail later within this article. But before we discuss how to select an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and a/c contractor does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

How to Become an HVAC Professional

Glendale Heights IL HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is widely 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 professional tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, however each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Attaining professional certification is not compulsory, but an optional means for Glendale Heights IL HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are several respected certifications within the trade that are offered. Here are some of the important ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC technicians. The certification is attained 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 field experience as well as passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have 3 years of experience together with a passing result on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for techs that handle refrigerants. There are three forms of certification available, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Because licensing might be mandated in your location, and you may also desire to acquire certification, it’s imperative that you enroll in an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will more than likely be handling refrigerants, make certain that the school you decide on prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Training Programs

radiator heater in Glendale Heights IL homeThere are a number of alternatives available for HVAC instruction in a vocational or trade school. You can obtain a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Acquiring a certificate will take the lesser period of time, typically accomplished in just six months, although some courses are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification related to the position. The degree training programs may provide a competitive advantage for securing employment and will furnish more comprehensive training than the certificate programs. Below is a short explanation of each credential offered near Glendale Heights IL.

  • Certificate. Generally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level commercial or residential HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for employment within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more detailed background of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring two years to finish, many degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is tailored more for a career in management or even business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a traditional four year program. In addition to being taught how to service and maintain heating and cooling systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career objectives are, as well as the time and money that you have to invest. One possibility is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the trade in Glendale Heights IL, later going back to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your tactic, make sure to ask the HVAC tech school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Training

Glendale Heights IL student attending HVAC school onlineAttending an HVAC program online is one possibility to getting your education and receiving a degree or certificate. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Many also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be participated in online, this option may be a more convenient solution for some Glendale Heights IL students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are cheaper than other on campus choices. Even driving expenses from Glendale Heights and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your work or family obligations have left you with little time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your active lifestyle.

Questions For HVAC Schools

Questions to ask Glendale Heights IL HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you desire to acquire, either on campus or online, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Glendale Heights IL area and throughout the United States to choose from. That’s why it is extremely important to have a list of relevant qualifiers when making school comparisons. As previously mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial 2 aspects you will consider. Following are several additional ones that you will want to investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC vocational programs in the Glendale Heights IL area have earned either a regional or a national accreditation. They may attain Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs as a whole, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to a specific program, for instance HVAC technology. Make sure that the school and program are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping make certain that you receive a superior education, it can assist in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Furthermore, a number of states require that the HVAC training program be accredited in order to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Air Conditioning 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 course. A lower completion rate could signify that students were disappointed with the course and quit. It might also suggest that the instructors were not qualified to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of graduates, which can result in more contacts for the school to utilize for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has an excellent reputation within the trade, but additionally that it has the network of Glendale Heights IL HVAC employers to assist students secure apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC trade programs are taught along with an internship or an apprenticeship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of HVAC contractors or labor unions. Ask if the schools you are comparing have working partnerships with local Glendale Heights IL HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also supplies employment opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make sure that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with on the job. If you are currently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC technician you are working under regarding what you should be looking for. If not, ask a local Glendale Heights IL HVAC contractor if they can give you some suggestions. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school needs to be within driving distance of your Glendale Heights IL home. Take note that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there can be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s important that you receive as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in larger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can observe how big they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak with several of the students and get their feedback relating to class sizes and instruction. Finally, speak to a few of the instructors and find out what their level of expertise is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Confirm that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Glendale Heights IL, confirm that the schools you are comparing offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, be sure that the school you select allows part-time enrollment. Also, check out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any because of work, sickness or family issues.

Considering an HVAC School near Glendale Heights IL?

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

Glendale Heights, Illinois

Glendale Heights is a village in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. The population was 34,208 at the 2010 census. It is best known nationally as the hometown of Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan, but known more locally for its ethnically diverse population. The town elected Dupage County's first Asian mayor in 1995.[4]

Glendale Heights was a small farming area served by the Glen Ellyn post office up until the 1950s, with a population of just 104 in 1959.[5] Midland Enterprises ran by Charles and Harold Reskin started building houses in Glendale Heights in 1958. The Reskins bought two farms on Glen Ellyn Road north of North Avenue. Houses were first built on Glen Ellyn Road and Larry Lane near Fullerton Avenue. On June 16, 1959, a petition was filed and on July 13, the village became incorporated. The first election was held later on that summer on August 2.

The town was originally named Glendale as it was between Glen Ellyn and Bloomingdale, but after a conflict arose with the small town of Glendale in Southern Illinois, the city decided in March 1960 to add the term Heights, in reference to its different topographies, a difference of about 100 feet because of its location straddling the Valparaiso Morraine, thus becoming Glendale Heights.[6]

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Course Glendale Heights IL

Enrolling in the ideal HVAC training program is a critical first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning trade. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Course. However, as we have discussed in this article, you need to pick an Heating and Cooling technical school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the HVAC trade. Other features to search for are sufficient practical training and state-of-the-art facilities. You need to go to each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Attempt to get a feel for the quality of the instruction and the interaction between them. Also, ask about scheduling choices and if night or weekend classes are available if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial assistance and student loan options as well. If you ask the proper questions as we have laid out in our checklist for comparing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an informed decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC professional in Glendale Heights IL.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Illinois

  • How To Become a HVAC Technician Christopher IL
  • Air Conditioner School Online Elizabeth IL
  • Trade Schools for HVAC Hamilton IL
  • How to Choose HVAC Certification Training Ingleside IL
  • Air Conditioner Training Course Glenwood IL
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Repair Schools Ina IL
  • Heating and Cooling Classes Online Mundelein IL
  • How to Choose HVAC Certification Courses Itasca IL
  • HVAC Certification Courses Online Benton IL
  • Top HVAC Trade Schools Hutsonville IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 1400

    OneStop Pro Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric
    161 Reviews
    Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing
    Phone:
    805 W Liberty Dr, Wheaton, IL 60187

    Ragano Heating & Air Conditioning
    110 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    262 Woodville Ln, Schaumburg, IL 60193

    Any Temp Heating & Cooling
    22 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    437 N Wesley Dr, Addison, IL 60101

    Oasis Heating & Cooling
    253 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    5736 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

    My Guy HVAC, Heating And Air Conditioning
    58 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    6134 N Milwaukee Ave, Ste E, Chicago, IL 60646

    Chicago Hvac Repair Doctor
    57 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    1658 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

    Bartlett Heating & Air Conditioning
    28 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1235 Humbracht Cir, Ste C, Bartlett, IL 60103

    Leipart Heating and Cooling
    68 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Insulation Installation
    Phone:
    3108 Illinois 59, Ste 124 -189, Naperville, IL 60564

    Comfort Measure Heating & Air Conditioning
    7 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    2206 N Main St, Ste 173, Wheaton, IL 60187

    Air Source 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
    40 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    Frankfort, IL 60423