Advanced HVAC Training Potomac IL

How to Select the Right HVAC Certification Course near Potomac Illinois

air conditioner condensers in Potomac ILNow that you have come to a decision on a career as a heating and air conditioning professional, the next action is to look for an HVAC vocational school near Potomac IL. But with so many to choose from, how do you decide on the best one to get the training that you need? Some future students will make their choice based entirely on the cost of tuition or how close the school is to their home. Even though these are significant considerations, they are not the only ones to evaluate. Just some of the other factors 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 additional criteria will be covered in more detail later in this article. But before we examine how to pick an HVAC technical school, 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 Contractor

Potomac IL HVAC Tech installing water heaterHVAC is an acronym that is commonly used in the business that stands for “Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning”. HVAC techs provide services for 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, however every state and regional municipality has its own requirements. Earning professional certification is not required, but an optional way for Potomac IL HVAC technicians to prove that they are highly qualified and knowledgeable in their area of expertise. There are multiple respected certifications within the trade that are available. Here are some of the significant ones.

  • North American Technician Excellence (NATE). NATE is a nationally acknowledged certification for HVAC techs. The certification is achieved by passing a proficiency examination 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 professional experience together with passing a comprehensive exam are needed for the professional level certification. Master specialists need to have three years of experience in addition to a passing score on the professional level examination. Similar to NATE, certifications are offered in various specialties.
  • EPA Section 608. This certification is required for technicians that handle refrigerants. There are three types of certification available, one for small appliances, and the additional two for low and high pressure refrigerants.

Since licensing may be required in your area, and you may also wish to earn certification, it’s essential that you choose an HVAC trade school that will train you for both. And since you will most likely be working with refrigerants, make sure that the program you pick readies you for passing the EPA Section 608 exams.

HVAC Certificate and Degree Classes

radiator heater in Potomac IL homeThere are a number of options available for HVAC training 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 amount of time, usually completed in just six months, though some courses 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 in the job market and will deliver more extensive training than the certificate programs. Following is a short description of each credential offered near Potomac IL.

  • Certificate. Usually requiring a high school diploma, certificate programs are very popular among entry level residential or commercial HVAC technicians. They furnish a strong foundation of skills for job opportunities within the industry.
  • Associate Degree. The Associate Degree in HVAC program supplies a more comprehensive knowledge of heating & cooling systems than the certificate program. Normally requiring 2 years to finish, some degrees incorporate an internship or work-study program.
  • Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree in HVAC is suited more for a career in management as well as business ownership. Some programs call for an Associate Degree, while others are a standard 4 year program. In addition to learning how to service and maintain heating and air conditioning systems, you will also study how to design them.

Choosing the ideal credential program will be dependent on what your long term career aspirations are, along with the time and money that you have to commit. One option is to start with a certificate or perhaps an Associate Degree program, and after getting some experience in the trade in Potomac IL, later returning to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree. If this is your approach, make certain to ask the HVAC technician school you are looking at about how their returning student program works.

HVAC Online Courses

Potomac IL student attending HVAC school onlineEnrolling in an HVAC program online is one option to attaining your training and earning a degree or certificate. Nearly all schools will call for some attendance on campus to complete hands on training. Some also offer internship or work-study programs in addition to or instead of practical lab work. But since the rest of the classes can be attended via the internet, this option may be a more practical solution for some Potomac IL students that are short on time. And some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even driving expenses from Potomac and study materials can be minimized, helping to make schooling more economical. And many online programs are fully accredited (more on this later). So if your job or family obligations have left you with limited time to attend classes, maybe an online HVAC degree program will make it more convenient to accommodate school into your busy lifestyle.

Questions to Ask HVAC Certification Classes

Questions to ask Potomac IL HVAC training schoolsAs soon as you have chosen the type of degree or certificate that you wish to acquire, either online or on campus, you can begin to limit your list of schools. As you are no doubt aware, there are numerous HVAC vocational schools in the Potomac IL area and across the United States to choose from. That’s why it is very important to have a checklist of key qualifiers when making school assessments. As earlier mentioned in our opening paragraph, location and tuition will undoubtedly be the initial two variables you will consider. Following are some additional ones that you should investigate before enrolling in your school of choice.

Accreditation.  A large number of HVAC vocational schools in the Potomac IL area have received either a regional or a national accreditation. They can earn Institutional Accreditation, which focuses on the school’s programs overall, or Programmatic Accreditation, which pertains to an individual program, for example HVAC technology. Make certain that the program is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education approved accrediting organization, for example the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. In addition to helping guarantee that you get a quality education, it may help in acquiring financial assistance or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Additionally, a number of states mandate that the HVAC training course be accredited for it to qualify for licensing.

High Completion Rates.  Ask the HVAC schools you are looking at what their completion rates are. The completion rate is the portion or percentage of students who enroll in and complete the program. A lower completion rate may suggest that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It may also suggest that the teachers were not competent to instruct the students. It’s similarly imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. Older and/or more reputable schools may have a more extensive directory of alumni, which can result in more contacts for the school to use for their apprenticeship and job placement programs. A high job placement rate will not only validate that the school has a good reputation within the field, but also that it has the network of Potomac IL HVAC employers to assist students acquire apprenticeships or jobs.

Apprenticeship Programs.  Many HVAC technical programs are taught together with an apprenticeship or an internship program. Those participating trade and vocational programs will help place you in an apprenticeship program within their network of Heating and Cooling companies or labor unions. Check if the schools you are comparing have referring relationships with local Potomac IL HVAC specialists. An apprenticeship not only provides a rewarding experience by furnishing hands-on training, but it also furnishes job opportunities and helps to form relationships in the local HVAC professional community.

Modern Facilities.  Confirm that the campus facilities and the equipment that you will be trained on are up-to-date and what you will be using 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 looking for. Otherwise, ask a local Potomac IL HVAC contracting company if they can provide some suggestions. Additionally bear in mind that unless you are willing to relocate, the school must be within driving distance of your Potomac IL home. Take note that if you decide to attend an out-of-state school, besides the added moving costs there might be higher tuition fees compared to in-state residents.

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

Flexible Scheduling.  Verify that the class schedules for the programs you are evaluating are flexible enough to handle your needs. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Potomac IL, check that the programs you are considering offer those options. If you can only attend part-time, make 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 because of work, illness or family emergencies.

Considering an HVAC School near Potomac IL?

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

Potomac, Illinois

Potomac (listenĀ (helpĀ·info)) is a village in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 681 at the 2000 census.

The town was originally named Marysville after the wives of the two founders, John Smith and Isaac Meneley, who started businesses here circa 1840. On May 13, 1871, a post office was established at the town and was named Potomac, most likely after the Potomac River. The town's name was later changed to conform to this.[3][4]

Potomac prospered into the late 20th century, with a population peaking at 900 during the 1970 census, due in part to its location along US Route 136, one of the primary East-West highways crossing the state of Illinois. The opening of Interstate 74 reduced the amount of travel through Potomac, leading to a rapid decline in the number of service stations, restaurants and small businesses in the downtown area in the early 1970s. In the early 1990s a fire destroyed several downtown buildings on the north side of Route 136, dramatically altering the appearance of the community.

Advanced HVAC Training Potomac IL

Picking the ideal HVAC training program is an important first step toward a gratifying career in the heating and air conditioning industry. You originally came to this website because you wanted more information regarding Advanced HVAC Training. However, as we have covered in this post, you should select an Heating and Cooling trade school and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the HVAC community. Other things to look for are sufficient hands-on training and modern facilities. You need to go to each of the schools in person that you are most interested in to tour the campus and talk with both the faculty and current students. Try to get a feel for the quality of the teaching and the interaction between them. In addition, ask about scheduling options and whether or not night or weekend classes are offered if needed. And remember to ask about financial aid and student loan options also. If you ask the proper questions as we have outlined in our guidelines for comparing schools, you’ll be able to narrow down your options so that you can make an educated decision. With the appropriate training, hard work and dedication, you can eventually become a licensed HVAC technician in Potomac IL.

More Hot and Cool Locations in Illinois

  • HVAC Vocational Training Garden Prairie IL
  • Air Conditioning Programs Elsah IL
  • HVAC Online Classes Maple Park IL
  • Heating and Air Conditioning Training Dakota IL
  • HVAC College Programs Farmer City IL
  • Learn Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Arenzville IL
  • Train HVAC Stonefort IL
  • Air Conditioning College Courses Ashton IL
  • Heat Ventilation and Air Conditioning Courses Beardstown IL
  • Air Conditioning Repair Classes Pecatonica IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 38

    Mattex Service - Heating Cooling and Plumbing
    5 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Electricians, Plumbing
    Phone:
    402 S Staley Rd, Champaign, IL 61822

    Clawson's Air Conditioning & Furnace
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    814 Warrington Ave, Danville, IL 61832

    Three King Heating and Air
    4 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    Urbana, IL 61803

    Champaign Heating & Air
    6 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    1710 1/2 W Hensley Rd, Champaign, IL 61822

    Rose Heating & Air Conditioning
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Air Duct Cleaning, Water Heater Installation/Repair
    Phone:
    2207 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802

    Cassel Home Comfort Heating & Cooling
    9 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Water Heater Installation/Repair, Air Duct Cleaning
    Phone:
    2100 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820

    Perfect Temp
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC, Appliances & Repair
    Phone:
    101 N Main St, Muncie, IL 61857

    Bash Heating & Air Conditoning
    3 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    809 Pioneer St, Champaign, IL 61820

    Top Quality Aire
    1 Reviews
    Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    114 N Monroe St, Williamsport, IN 47993

    Houston Plumbing - Heating - Cooling
    1 Reviews
    Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning/HVAC
    Phone:
    111 N Market St, Paxton, IL 60957