HVAC Schools in Illinois: The Ultimate Guide

Illinois HVAC Training Programs

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), “Many HVAC/R technicians receive post secondary instruction from technical and trade schools or community colleges that offer programs in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration. These programs generally last from six months to two years and lead to a certificate or an associate’s degree.”

The BLS says new HVAC techs work alongside experienced technicians, though some gain experience from an apprenticeship program, which lasts between three and five years.

Most people entering the HVAC industry in Illinois learn by taking classes at a trade school or community college or on the job as an apprentice/entry level worker for an HVAC company.

Illinois offers many HVAC programs all over the state to get the training you need, including in major cities and smaller communities. There are also many options for online training. Although no HVAC degree is required to operate in the state, many choose to pursue education before or during an apprenticeship.

There are currently two main organizations that approve HVAC programs and schools nationwide: HVAC Excellence and the Partnership for Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Accreditation (PAHRA).

HVAC Excellence has accredited the following programs in Illinois:

• Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield 

• Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove

PAHRA has accredited the following colleges in Illinois:

• College of Lake County in Grayslake 

• Elgin Community College in Elgin 

• Illinois Central College in East Peoria 

• John A. Logan College in Carterville

• Oakton Community College in Des Plaines

Here are some other Illinois training centers offering HVAC technician programs:

• HVAC Technical Institute in Chicago 

• ETI School of Skilled Trades in Willowbrook

• Richland Community College in Decatur

• Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills

• Parkland College in Champaign

Union Apprenticeships

Several unions in Illinois offer HVAC apprenticeships, including:

• UA Local 101 in Belleville

• Pipefitters Local 597 in Chicago

• UA Local 149 Plumbers & Pipefitters in Savoy

• Local Union 25, Plumbers & Pipefitters in Rock Island

HVAC Degrees & Certificates

As you weigh the benefits of formal training at a technical or community college or online, you may want to speak with people in the field in the state where you plan to work. The licensing requirements for HVAC professionals vary from state to state, and some require a minimum amount of work experience and education through an apprenticeship.

Because of the complexity of today’s HVAC systems, many employers prefer to hire people who have completed both technical school courses and on-the-job training, as well as those who have field experience. In some cases, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages.

There’s typically a range of certificate and degree programs, as well as apprenticeships, that combine classroom learning with hands-on experience. Some HVAC contractors may allow you to train with them while also attending a college program at night or on the weekend. If you choose to start at a trade school, the time it takes to complete each kind of program and the cost of each are the most significant differences. The most common programs are:

• Certificate Program – three to six months

• Associate’s Degree – two years

• Bachelor’s Degree – four years

Obviously, the longer the program, the more it costs. If you seek a degree in mechanical engineering technology, you’ll need a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. If you want to be a mechanical engineer, you’ll need a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. If these paths interest you, you may want to explore other schools in Illinois such as:

• University of Illinois, Chicago

• Northwestern University, Evanston

• University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

In many cases, but not always, formal education pays off in the form of higher wages. If you seek to become an HVAC journeyman or master HVAC contractor, a degree isn’t necessary.

Typical Courses in Technical College Programs

HVAC programs at technical colleges are intended to prepare students for careers in commercial, industrial, or residential HVAC applications. Most technical school graduates earn technical diplomas or HVAC certifications and leave prepared to accept entry-level positions as an HVAC technician.

HVAC technicians must be knowledgeable in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and be prepared to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair cooling and heating systems including heat pumps, commercial refrigerators, gas heaters, air conditioners, and more.

To help guarantee future employment, you might consider attending an accredited program through an agency, such as the PAHRA or HVAC Excellence.

Typical HVAC courses teach fundamentals including:

• Safety  

• Computer concepts (diagnosing and repairing complex systems)

• Heat pumps

• Commercial HVAC and refrigerators

• Basic electricity for HVAC

• Basic refrigeration technology

• Gas heating

• Air conditioners

• HVAC customer soft skills and job-seeking skills

• Refrigeration applications

• Residential HVAC applications

• Troubleshooting ventilation systems

For all HVAC certifications in Illinois, you must pass the core section of the EPA certification exam, which covers the following topics:

• Ozone depletion

• Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol

• Section 608 regulations

• Substitute refrigerants and oils

• Refrigeration

• The Three R’s (Recover, Recycle, Reclaim)

• Recovery techniques

• Dehydration evacuation

• Safety

• Shipping

School Selection Criteria

There are a lot of things to consider when picking the right school and program.

Cost

Cost is, of course, at the top of the list. According to Community College Review, tuition at Illinois community colleges is approximately $7,972 per year for in-state students and $10,688 for out-of-state students.

However, some of the educational programs may be part of apprenticeship programs, and tuition may be reimbursed by or paid for outright by the student’s employer or union. There will be some variations in fees at each school, too, so be sure to review all of the costs involved.

You will also incur costs for books and tools, but those tools are yours to keep as you enter your field. All students who are interested in receiving financial aid or federal (Pell Grant) and state grants apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online.

Program Length

In Illinois, most training programs take about two years of schooling/work experience to learn what you need to know to pass the EPA Section 608 Certification Exam. HVACR apprenticeships last four or five years, and consist of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.

Level of Difficulty

HVAC training programs are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level positions in commercial, industrial, or residential sectors as HVAC installers or technicians. HVAC technicians have to learn to do a lot of different things to be successful, including how to follow blueprints or other design specifications to install or repair HVAC systems, connect systems to fuel and water supply lines and air ducts, install electrical wiring and controls, proper techniques of refrigerant recovery, reclaiming and recycling, run diagnostics, and so much more. 

School Comparison: At a Glance

The Illinois training centers and colleges listed below offer HVAC programs to train students for a career in the HVAC industry. Let’s take a look at the different schools:

Midwest Technical Institute, Springfield 

• Offers an HVACR Technician certification program

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree and Certificate of Achievement

College of Lake County, Grayslake

•  Offers an HVACR Engineering Technology program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree, as well as seven different HVAC certifications

Elgin Community College, Elgin

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, A/C, and Refrigeration program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree or six different HVAC certifications

Illinois Central College, East Peoria 

• Offers an HVAC Residential Installer certificate program, an HVAC technician certificate program, and an HVAC/R Technology Associate in Applied Science degree

John A. Logan College, Carterville

• Offers a Heating and Air Conditioning degree program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree or HVAC certification

Oakton Community College, Des Plaines

• Offers an Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology (HVACR) program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree or four different HVAC certifications

HVAC Technical Institute in Chicago 

• Offers an HVACR Technician certification program

ETI School of Skilled Trades in Willowbrook

• Offers an HVACR Technician certification program

Richland Community College in Decatur

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree or three different HVAC certifications

Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills

• Offers a Heating and Air Conditioning program with paths to pursue an Associate in Applied Science degree or four different HVAC certifications

Parkland College, Champaign

• Offers a Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling certificate program

Steps for Enrollment in Illinois

Every college has its own way of doing things, but in general the process begins with applying for admission on the school’s website. You also have the option of applying in person at the school’s admission office or mailing a paper application there. Some require that you pay an application fee and provide several documents. In general, the application process has the following steps:

1. Complete your application.

2. Pay the application fee (if applicable).

3. Provide proof of residency to qualify for in-state tuition.

4. Have sealed official high school transcript or GED scores sent.

5. Submit placement test scores.

6. If applicable, apply for on-campus housing.

If you choose to start with an apprenticeship, you will want to contact the Local Union or non-union trade organization chapter closest to you. Each organization has a slightly different application process, but the application requirements in general are:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• Must be a high school graduate, senior scheduled to graduate or have earned a GED certificate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their diploma or GED certificate, and an official transcript of their grades following submission of the application.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Have passed high school algebra or an equivalent post-high school algebra class with a “C” or better or pass an aptitude test.

• Pass a drug screen and criminal background checks.

HVAC Career Requirements in Illinois

Illinois mandates no state-level licensing or experience requirements for entry and mid-level HVAC professionals. Certain municipalities may implement some contractor’s license restrictions, so be sure to check local or city licensing requirements for the area where you will be working, especially if you want to own your own HVAC business.

However, potential employers are still looking for skilled workers, so you’ll need some kind of training and there are federal certification requirements to consider. If you want to become an HVAC technician, you’ll need to have a certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to handle refrigerants. HVAC professionals anywhere in the country, including Illinois, must obtain an EPA HVAC certification if they conduct refrigerant line-pressure tests, or handle or add refrigerant to existing air conditioning systems, according to EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act.

For a detailed explanation of EPA certification and Illinois’s HVACR licensing requirements and how to fulfill them, check out our essential guide to getting your Illinois HVAC License. 

Salaries for HVAC Technicians in Illinois

Before paying for technical education or completing a lengthy apprenticeship to become an HVAC technician or licensed contractor, you’ll want some idea of the potential return on your investment of time, effort, energy, and money. In other words, what can you expect to make as an HVAC professional in Illinois? Payscale.com data provides an answer based on your experience. The median HVAC technician salary in Illinois for 2023 is:

• Entry level <2 years: $51,200

• Intermediate 2-4 years: $58,700

• Senior 4-6 years: $68,600

• Supervisor > 7 years: $87,100

For more information about HVAC salaries,visit this state-by-state guide.

Industry Apprenticeships

In Illinois, HVAC apprenticeships last four to five years, and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. Several unions in Illinois offer HVAC apprenticeships, including:

• UA Local 101 in Belleville

• Pipefitters Local 597 in Chicago

• UA Local 149 Plumbers & Pipefitters in Savoy

• Local Union 25, Plumbers & Pipefitters in Rock Island

Other School Options

In addition to the training programs and schools already mentioned, there are training centers in nearby Indiana, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

• Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis

• Maysville Community and Technical College in Maysville, Kentucky

• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay

You can find the training you need to excel in a career as an HVAC technician in Illinois. The opportunities are all around you.