Trade School for HVAC Oak Lawn IL

How to Choose the Right Heating and Cooling Certification Course near Oak Lawn Illinois

air conditioner condensers in Oak Lawn ILNow that you have decided on a career as a heating and air conditioning specialist, the next step is to look for an HVAC technical school near Oak Lawn IL. But with so many to choose from, how do you select the best one to get the training that you require? Some prospective students will make their decision based exclusively 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 investigate. Just some of the other factors that you need to look into 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 discussed in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to pick an HVAC trade school, let’s look at what a heating and a/c technician does to become a licensed professional tradesman.

Becoming an HVAC Tech

Oak Lawn IL HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the trade that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC contractors specialize in the installation, maintenance and repair of central air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, water heaters and heating systems. As skilled tradesmen, they are generally required to be licensed, though each state and local municipality has its own prerequisites. Attaining professional certification is not required, but an alternative means for Oak Lawn IL HVAC specialists to demonstrate that they are highly skilled and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are several respected certifications within the field that are offered. Here are a few of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally recognized certification for HVAC techs. The certification is earned by passing a competency exam and can be acquired in one or more specialties.
  • HVAC Excellence. This certification makes available both a professional and a master specialist credential. 2 years of field experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have 3 years of experience together with a passing score on the professional level exam. As with NATE, certifications are offered in multiple specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is necessary for techs that work with refrigerants. There are three forms of certification obtainable, one for small appliances, and the other two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing could be required in your area, and you may also wish to acquire certification, it’s essential that you select an HVAC vocational school that will train you for both. And since you will probably be dealing with refrigerants, make sure that the program you select readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 examinations.

HVAC Degree and Certificate Courses

radiator heater in Oak Lawn IL homeThere are several options offered for HVAC training in a technical or vocational school. You can earn a certificate, an Associate Degree, or a Bachelor’s Degree. Obtaining a certificate will take the lesser period of time, usually accomplished in as little as 6 months, though some programs are longer. A certificate will train you for most HVAC positions, particularly if you are licensed and have certification applicable to the position. The degree programs might provide a competitive edge for securing employment and will deliver more in-depth training than the certificate programs. Following is a short summary of each option offered near Oak Lawn IL.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among beginning residential or commercial HVAC professionals. They provide a solid foundation of skills for job opportunities within the trade.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more detailed knowledge of heating and cooling systems than the certificate program. Generally taking 2 years to finish, many degrees include 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 require an Associate Degree, while others are a standard four 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.

Choosing the appropriate credential program will be dependent on what your future career aspirations are, along with the time and money that you have to commit. One possibility is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after gaining some experience in the trade in Oak Lawn IL, eventually returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your strategy, make certain to ask the HVAC tech school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Classes

Oak Lawn IL student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one alternative in obtaining your training and earning a certificate or degree. Most schools will call for some attendance on campus to take part 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 rest of the classes can be participated in on the web, this alternative may be a more convenient solution for many Oak Lawn IL students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are cheaper than other on campus alternatives. Even travelling expenses from Oak Lawn and study materials can be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And a large number of 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 active lifestyle.

Questions For HVAC Trade Schools

Questions to ask Oak Lawn IL HVAC training schoolsOnce you have decided on the type of certificate or degree that you want to obtain, either on campus or online, you can start to narrow down your selection of schools. As you are probably aware, there are a large number of HVAC trade schools in the Oak Lawn IL area and throughout the Country to select from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of relevant qualifications when making school evaluations. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, tuition and location will undoubtedly be the initial two aspects you will look at. Following are some additional ones that you need to research before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  Numerous HVAC technical programs in the Oak Lawn IL area have attained 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 example HVAC technology. Verify that the program and school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting agency, such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you obtain an excellent education, it may help in obtaining financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to qualify 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 course. A lower completion rate may signify that students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. It might also mean that the instructors were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly essential that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a broader list of alumni, which may mean more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate can not only validate that the school has an excellent reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Oak Lawn IL HVAC employers to help graduates acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Most HVAC trade programs are taught in conjunction with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating technical and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have referring relationships with local Oak Lawn IL HVAC contractors. An apprenticeship not only offers a rewarding experience by providing hands-on training, but it also provides employment opportunities and helps to establish relationships in the area HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Make certain that the school facilities and the tools that you will be trained on are state-of-the-art and what you will be working with in the field. If you are presently in an internship or an apprenticeship, check with the HVAC tech you are working under concerning what you should be expecting. If not, ask a local Oak Lawn IL HVAC contracting company if they can provide some pointers. Also keep in mind that unless you are willing to move, the school must be within driving distance of your Oak Lawn IL home. Remember that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, in addition to moving costs there might be increased tuition charges compared to in-state residents.

Smaller Classes.   It’s desirable that you get as much individualized training as possible, which can be challenging in bigger classes. Ask if you can sit in on some of the classes so that you can see how large they are and experience the interaction between teachers and students. Speak to several of the students and get their feedback concerning class sizes and instruction. Last, speak with a few of the teachers and learn what their level of expertise is and what degrees or certifications they have earned.

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the schools you are assessing are flexible enough to fulfill your needs. If you are only able to attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oak Lawn IL, confirm that the schools you are considering provide those options. If you can only attend on a part-time basis, be sure that the school you select permits part-time enrollment. Also, find out what the protocol is to make-up classes should you miss any due to work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering an HVAC School near Oak Lawn IL?

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

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Oak Lawn is located at 41°42′54″N 87°45′12″W / 41.71500°N 87.75333°W / 41.71500; -87.75333 (41.715082, −87.753401).[4] According to the 2010 census, Oak Lawn has a total area of 8.59 square miles (22.25 km2), all land.[5]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 55,245 people, 22,220 households, and 14,554 families residing in the village. The population density was 6,427.3 people per square mile (2,480.3/km²). There were 22,846 housing units, at an average density of 2,657.9 per square mile (1,025.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.35% White, 1.22% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.64% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.33% of the population, including 4.3% of Mexican descent.[7]

The top five ancestries reported in Oak Lawn as of the 2000 census were Irish (30.4%), German (19.5%), Polish (19.3%), Italian (9.7%) and English (4.4%).[8] One of the streets in the village pays tribute to its Polish American heritage through its name Deblin Lane, after Dęblin, Poland.

Trade School for HVAC Oak Lawn IL

Picking the right HVAC school course is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career in the heating & cooling industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Trade School for HVAC. However, as we have covered in this post, you should choose an HVAC vocational school and a degree or certificate program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to look for are plenty of hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to check out each of the schools personally that you are most interested in to explore the campus and speak with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the training and the interaction between them. Additionally, ask about scheduling choices and whether or not evening or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to ask about financial assistance and student loan options also. If you ask the appropriate questions as we have outlined in our checklist for assessing schools, you’ll be able to filter your choices so that you can make an educated decision. With the proper training, hard work and commitment, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC specialist in Oak Lawn IL.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Illinois

  • HVAC Training Schools Online Hoopeston IL
  • Air Conditioner Repair School Melrose Park IL
  • HVAC Training Near Me Rolling Meadows IL
  • Degree In HVAC Galesburg IL
  • How to Choose HVAC Vocational Schools Bradley IL
  • What Is HVAC Training Dieterich IL
  • Air Conditioning Classes Sugar Grove IL
  • HVAC Certification Schools West Frankfort IL
  • Top HVAC Technical Schools Hurst IL
  • Training HVAC Glen Carbon IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 1300

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

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

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

    Appliance Repair Doctor
    499 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    Chicago, IL 60661

    Browns Heating & Cooling
    65 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    Chicago, IL 60608

    Custom Seasons Heating & Cooling
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Worth, IL 60491

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

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

    Always Ready Repair
    10 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    8755 W 131st St, Palos Park, IL 60464

    Doornbos Heating & Air Conditioning
    11 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    11310 S Cicero Ave, Alsip, IL 60803