The caliber of the HVAC industry is growing day by day. Likewise, more and more people are showing interest in adopting this field as their permanent career.
But this field requires high-level skills for which schools and institutions have been specially established where HVAC training is provided to interested individuals. This article provides information about the best HVAC schools located in Illinois.
Moreover, it will explain what salary package one may get in the HVAC career and what requirements he has to meet for entering this field. So, let’s begin.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Illinois
There are no strict requirements for becoming an HVAC technician in Illinois. No state license is needed. You just have to acquire other ordinary licenses in order to pursue HVAC services as a job.
For these licenses, you have to get certifications belonging to any of these organizations: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), North American Technical Excellence (NATE), or American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineering (ASHRAE).
For passing the certification exams, you need to take proper classes from schools that offer HVAC training courses. These certifications will describe your qualification and proficiency level when you will apply for a job in any HVAC company. Therefore, we can’t deny the importance of HVAC training programs.
People who want to run an HVAC business must own a business license in order to get the legal status for their business. Moreover, the license will allow the customers to rely on your sales.
Salary and Job Outlook in Illinois
The HVAC field is well-reputed on account of its high pay scale and ever-growing popularity. Illinois is one of those states of America, where HVAC industries pay attractive salaries to its employees. Other than handsome wages, HVAC technicians also make the most of protocols like leaves, bonuses, promotions, etc.
The experience happens to be the criteria for the progress of salary packages in the HVAC field. The more experience you have, the more you will earn. The average annual pay of HVAC techs is about $59,590 per year.
For the most senior employees, the wages are $60.15 hourly or $125,122 yearly. Those who hold the post of middle-level technicians enjoy the earnings of around $28.65 per hour or $59,590 per year. And beginners get a salary starting from $13.64 hourly or $28,3480 yearly.
The scope of HVAC technology is going to ascend in the coming years. The worth of technicians for repairing, servicing, and installing HVAC units in residential and official buildings is improving continuously. Thus, it is expected to witness a 13% increment in job growth in this particular field by 2028. In Illinois, too, people in great numbers show an inclination towards joining the hands of HVAC employees.
Quick Take - Best HVAC Schools in Illinois
Just looking for the top 3 schools in your area? Here are the best HVAC schools in Illinois:
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Illinois
Illinois encompasses a crowd of schools that are dedicated to conveying skills of the standard of an HVAC professional. If you want to set an HVAC career and are in search of the best school in Illinois, then this section is going to relieve you. Here, you will find the schools that, apart from teaching HVAC courses, provide valuable facilities.
Best Overall:
Chicago Professional Center
Address: 16 E Piper Ln Ste 127, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, United States
Phone: +1 847-215-8203
List of Programs:
- HVAC Technician/Electrician Course
Our Review of the Program
The school has training programs that follow minimum durations. The maximum duration of its course consists of only four months. It means you can have the certifications soon after you admit the school. After passing the session, the school provides Type 2 and Type 3 EPA HVAC Certification.
Its course intends to make a candidate aware of all the possible troubles in HVAC systems so that he can repair, install, and maintain these systems faultlessly. For this, the school allows the students to prepare themselves through labs and theory classes. About 40% of the course deals with lab handling. The laboratories house all the equipment usually used in the professional HVAC world.
Besides laboratories, the school also indulges the students in computer software programs that exhibit malfunctioning issues similar to HVAC systems. In this way, the candidates become familiar with air conditioning and ventilating systems and their possible defects.
One of its courses prepares the candidates for Class A Electrical License by taking them to National Electrical Code Seminars.
Chicago Professional Center does not restrict its services for needy candidates. Fortunately, it introduces many discounts and scholarship plans just to help the students in completing their education smoothly in spite of financial circumstances.
Best HVAC in Chicago IL:
HVAC Technical School
Address: 4532 S Kolin Ave, Chicago, IL 60632, United States
Phone: +1 773-927-9562
List of Programs:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Ventilation Training Program
Our Review of the Program
The course entails seven modules that include training of refrigeration, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. Moreover, students learn gas piping, electrical circuit tracing, transformers, condensing furnaces, vacuum pumps, ductwork, Hydronics, etc. in detail.
The school awards its graduates with the Refrigeration License prior to EPA Section 608 exam. Not just that, but it also takes the R-410A Safety Certification exam. Through these exams, the school confirms the credibility of its students so that they don’t lack the mastery required to be an HVAC tech.
Towards the end of the program, students have to face an exit interview in which detailed discussion related to the field and employment plans is carried out. This interview usually takes place before the certification is handed over to the passing candidates.
The seventh module has something special to offer. It improves the individual’s capability of attending and passing the interview impressively. In this module, individuals design profiles and resumes for themselves and upload them on different HVAC websites and forums in order to enhance employment chances.
Moreover, the lab facilities allow the students to explore and tackle HVAC tasks efficiently. Hence, repairing, installing, and maintaining commercial HVAC units will not be new to the graduates of this school.
Address: 500 Joliet Rd, Suite #100 Willowbrook, IL 60527, United States
Phone: 888-830-7678
List of Programs:
- HVAC/R Program
Our Review of the Program
This school includes a capacious lab that stretches over an area of about 15000 square feet. This laboratory embodies typical HVAC systems and similar tools and equipment that candidates work on in order to implement the theory they learn in classrooms.
In theory classes, the students get in-depth knowledge of electrical work, conduit bending, gas piping, refrigeration techniques, and how to install, maintain, detect, and repair issues of large-scale HVAC units. Thus, these theory classes prove to be quite constructive in the careers of HVAC mechanics.
The programs follow different course schedules that finish within seven months. Furthermore, the school conducts every course in both morning and evening timings. Therefore, it also comes as a boon to those who cannot manage studies along with other activities.
As far as certificates are concerned, it provides EPA Section 608 Universal Certification and R-410A Testing. Both of these credentials play a major part in the placement of jobs. Apart from that, the school arranges Employer-Graduate Match Programs through which the graduates get a chance to find a befitting job and seek advice from HVAC professionals.
For competent and hardworking students, the school also has financial aid programs in the form of grants, subsidized, and unsubsidized loans.
Address: 1801 East Fabyan Parkway West Chicago, IL 60185 United States
Phone: 630-232-3250
List of Programs:
- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Course
Our Review of the Program
Being approved by Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the institute promises to inculcate high-level education and skills in the individuals who wish to join the HVAC community. To achieve this goal, it conducts theory classes and lab practices as well. In spacious and well-equipped labs, candidates analyze HVAC systems closely and carry out the practicals in real.
In addition, there are certain computer software programs designed for learners. These software programs bear functional problems that HVAC techs most often have to deal with while doing their jobs. The purpose of software programs is to enable candidates to troubleshoot faulty commercial as well as residential HVAC systems expertly.
Its program involves 150 hours in all, in which every hour includes a five-minute break. Since the school believes in providing education with convenience, it offers morning, afternoon, and evening classes too. Hence, part-time working students can also avail of its courses without compromising on the quality of education.
The center assists its graduates in writing an impressive resume and instills confidence and etiquette in them for the interview and the rest of the professional life. It not only helps in approaching the right job but also promotes its candidates on various platforms.
Address: Campus I - 2731 Farmers Market Rd, Springfield, IL 62707, United States
Campus II - 280 High Point Ln, East Peoria, IL 61611, United States
Phone: 800-814-5124
List of Programs:
- HVAC/R-MAR Technician Program
Our Review of the Program
In this school, the HVAC candidates get a diploma certification after passing the program successfully. Furthermore, they have to pass an EPA Section 608 exam based on the Core Type I and Type II certification exam.
The programs take nine months to complete. Hence, students don’t have to wait longer to achieve a diploma in HVAC technology. Moreover, its flexible timings attract people who have hectic routines. Morning and evening classes have made it easier for them to keep up with the HVAC training and other preoccupied work commitments.
It also encourages people who can’t afford the expense of HVAC studies to have uninterrupted HVAC education by reaping the benefits of Financial Aid Programs. Since the United States Department of Education has approved the school for Federal Financial Aid programs, it is capable of granting aid and scholarships in affiliation with the government.
The cooperative and experienced staff delivers informative lectures while maintaining the utmost discipline in the classrooms. The lab also incorporates teachers who are responsible for teaching candidates the methods and techniques of handling HVAC equipment and tools. By giving access to real-world HVAC equipment, the school produces individuals who possess excellent qualities and amazing potential of becoming an HVAC employee.
HVAC Schools in Illinois Comparison Table
We have gathered thorough information of the schools mentioned on our list. For convenience, we have formed a table in which you will find the basic details about each school. So, you can compare each institute and its programs on the go. So, go through the table below and decide which school to join.
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|---|---|---|
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Conclusion
The HVAC industries and companies are getting enviable positions in today’s business world. Therefore, the decision to become a member of the HVAC community is no doubt, appreciable. But the acquisition of adequate knowledge and competitive skills set forth the need for HVAC institutes. We hope the above-reviewed schools will be helpful for you to obtain the desired rank in the HVAC field.
Nearby HVAC Schools
Here are some HVAC schools in nearby states:
