Online HVAC Courses Litchfield IL

How to Enroll In the Right Heating and Cooling School near Litchfield Illinois

air conditioner condensers in Litchfield ILOnce you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioner technician, the next step is to locate an HVAC technical school near Litchfield IL. But with so many to pick from, how do you decide on the right one to obtain the training that you need? Many future students will make their selection based entirely on the price of tuition or how near the school is to their home. Although these are necessary considerations, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other things 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 benchmarks will be discussed in more detail later within this article. But before we explore how to pick an HVAC training program, let’s take a look at what a heating and air conditioning professional does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Pro

Litchfield IL HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is frequently used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC technicians provide services for the installation, repair and maintenance of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As professional tradesmen, they are typically required to be licensed, however every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Attaining professional certification is not mandatory, but an alternative means for Litchfield IL HVAC specialists to prove that they are exceptionally proficient and accomplished in their area of specialization. There are several acknowledged certifications within the industry that are offered. Below are a few 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 competency exam and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification offers both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience as well as passing a comprehensive examination are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists must have three years of experience in addition to a passing result on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are provided in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for specialists that work with refrigerants. There are 3 forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Considering that licensing might be required in your location, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s important that you select an HVAC technical school that will prepare you for both. And since you will probably be working with refrigerants, make certain that the school you choose prepares you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Courses

radiator heater in Litchfield IL homeThere are a variety of choices offered for HVAC instruction in a vocational 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, usually accomplished in as little as 6 months, although some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for the majority of HVAC positions, especially if you are licensed and have certification appropriate to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive advantage in the job market and will furnish more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Below is a brief description of each credential offered near Litchfield IL.

  • Certificate. Normally requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are preferred among beginning residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They provide a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more exhaustive understanding of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Usually requiring 2 years to finish, many degrees feature an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is geared more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four year program. In addition to mastering how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Selecting the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career goals are, together with the time and money that you have to commit. One approach is to begin with a certificate or even an Associate Degree program, and after acquiring some experience in the field in Litchfield IL, subsequently returning to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, be sure to ask the HVAC technician school you are considering about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Classes Online

Litchfield IL student attending HVAC school onlineChoosing an HVAC school online is one approach in attaining your education and receiving a degree or certificate. Most schools will require some attendance on campus to participate in practical training. A number also provide internship or work-study programs in addition to or in place of practical lab work. But since the balance of the classes may be attended via the internet, this approach may be a more practical solution for some Litchfield IL students that are pressed for time. And a number of online degree programs are cheaper than other traditional choices. Even commuting expenses from Litchfield and study materials can be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And many online schools are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with minimal time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your active lifestyle.

What to Ask HVAC Training Programs

Questions to ask Litchfield IL HVAC training schoolsWhen you have selected the type of degree or certificate that you desire to attain, either on campus or online, you can start to decrease your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are many HVAC trade schools in the Litchfield IL area and across the USA to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school comparisons. As formerly stated in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will probably be the initial two variables you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Many HVAC vocational programs in the Litchfield IL area have received 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 a specific program, such as HVAC technology. Make certain that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, for instance the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Along with helping guarantee that you acquire a superior education, it may help in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Furthermore, a number of states require that the HVAC training course be accredited in order to be approved for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the Heating and Cooling schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A low completion rate may suggest that students were unhappy with the course and dropped out. It could also signify that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s also important that the schools have higher job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can produce more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Litchfield IL HVAC employers to help grads acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC vocational programs are taught along with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating vocational and technical programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program inside their network of Heating and Cooling businesses or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Litchfield IL HVAC companies. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing practical training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to build relationships in the regional HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the tools that you will be instructed on are state-of-the-art and what you will be using on the job. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, consult with the HVAC tech you are working with concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Litchfield IL HVAC company if they can provide some suggestions. Also bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Litchfield IL residence. Remember that if you decide to enroll in an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be difficult in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on a couple of the classes so that you can observe how large they are and experience the interaction between students and teachers. Talk with several of the students and get their feedback regarding class sizes and instruction. Last, talk with some of the teachers and find out what their level of experience is and what certifications or degrees they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Make sure that the class schedules for the schools you are reviewing are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you are only able to attend classes at night or on weekends near Litchfield IL, confirm that the programs you are reviewing provide those options. If you can only attend part-time, make sure that the school you select offers part-time enrollment. Finally, find out what the policy is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Litchfield IL?

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

Litchfield, Illinois

Litchfield is a city in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,939 at the 2010 census,[5] and 6,588 in 2009 and 7,012 in 2015. It is located in south central Illinois, south of Springfield and part of the Metro-East region of St. Louis.

Litchfield was developed in 1853 by Montgomery County, Illinois surveyors in preparation for the arrival of the Alton Terre Haute Railroad Company. In 1854, when news spread of the railroad bypassing nearby Hardinsburg, Illinois and going through Litchfield, close to 50 residents moved their residences on rollers across the prairie and settled them in Litchfield near the railroad. Only a small cemetery remains of Hardinsburg.

The town was named after Electus Backus Litchfield, a financier, who brought the railroad to Litchfield. The town was originally called Huntsville after it was thought that Railroad Chief Engineer George Hunt was going to be the one to bring in the railroad.

Online HVAC Courses Litchfield IL

Enrolling in the ideal HVAC training program is a critical beginning toward a gratifying career in the heating & cooling field. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Online HVAC Courses. However, as we have discussed in this post, you should select an HVAC technical school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC trade. Other things to look for are ample practical training and modern facilities. You should visit 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 training and the interaction between them. Additionally, inquire about scheduling choices and whether night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And don’t forget to ask about financial aid and student loan options as well. If you ask the proper questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and commitment, you can ultimately become a licensed HVAC specialist in Litchfield IL.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Illinois

  • HVAC Service Manager Training Paris IL
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Schools Stockton IL
  • HVAC Training Schools Online Rossville IL
  • Heating and Cooling Courses Fithian IL
  • HVAC Course Buncombe IL
  • How to Choose HVAC Training Courses Jacksonville IL
  • Air Conditioning School Online Woodhull IL
  • How To Become a HVAC Tech Tinley Park IL
  • HVAC Service Technician Schools Highwood IL
  • HVAC Online School Ullin IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 17

    Agers Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    714 W Main St, Mount Olive, IL 62069

    Triple HHH Plumbing
    3 Reviews
    Plumbing
    Phone:
    1001 S Jackson St, Litchfield, IL 62056

    Viviano Heating & AC
    9 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    201 W Main St, Collinsville, IL 62234

    Sun Service Company
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    4645 N Peradotti Rd, Edwardsville, IL 62025

    Schmidt & Son Heating & Air Conditioning
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    201 W High St, Edwardsville, IL 62025

    Aire Serv of Edwardsville
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Collinsville, IL 62234

    Ernst Heating & Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    202 W State, Hamel, IL 62046

    Turney's Heating & Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Electricians, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    102 N Washington St, Bunker Hill, IL 62014

    Mahkovtz Heating & Air Conditioning
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    112 E Nicholas St, Carlinville, IL 62626

    Blue Stream Services
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Plumbing, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    850 Vandalia St, Ste 120, Collinsville, IL 62234