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Harsh weather, inconsistent sports teams, and the best food options have united Chicago residents for over one century.
Few others in the country know a harsh winter like Chicago citizens.
With unimaginable wind chills and temperatures regularly dipping below zero, Chicago winters are the stuff of legends.
One on the flip side of the year, Chicago experiences hot and humid midwestern summers.
The worst nightmare of any resident in February is a malfunctioning heater or an air conditioning unit that stops working in August.
As a result of these extreme weather conditions, the HVAC industry is flourishing.
If you’re mechanically oriented and interested in striving for a sustainable career path in the Chicagoland area, consider becoming an HVAC professional.
To do so requires some training and apprenticeship experience.
Keep reading to learn more about the many HVAC schools in the Chicago area!
Schools
Given its massive population of just under 10 million, Chicago has no shortage of trade schools and community colleges that offer excellent HVAC training.
These are several of the best:
1 Chicago Professional Center
About
The Chicago Professional Center prides itself on offering quick courses so graduates can enter an apprenticeship fast.
The maximum course duration is four months, and each program has different minimum durations.
After passing each program, students can take the Type 2 or Type 3 EPA HVAC Certification exam.
Programs / Courses
With only one program offering, the curriculum focuses on all possible issues an HVAC system can experience, so they can install, repair, and maintain the systems.
Therefore, the Chicago Professional Center combines theory and lab classes, which house all required equipment used in the HVAC profession.
Contact Information
For more information on the HVAC program, call 847-215-8203.
Address: 16 Piper Ln Ste 127, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, United States
2 College of Lake County
About
In Grayslake, a Chicago suburb sits the College of Lake County, which boasts an extensive HVAC department.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits the programs, and the estimated tuition for in-district students is $125 per credit hour, and for out-of-district students is $322 per credit hour.
Completing an associate degree requires a four-semester commitment, while certificates require two semesters.
Programs / Courses
Featuring eight program paths, the College of Lake County is one of the top HVAC schools in the state.
These paths include:
- HVACR engineering technology associate degree – 67 credit hours
- HVACR service technician certificate – 29 credit hours
- HVAC installation technician certificate – 20 credit hours
- Residential energy auditing certificate – 16 credit hours
- Residential air conditioning technician certificate – 14 credit hours
- Residential heating technician certificate – 14 credit hours
- Commercial refrigeration technician certificate – 14 credit hours
- Electrical troubleshooting technician certificate – 14 credit hours
Students can also select a FastTrack program that takes 16 weeks and prepares students for the certification exam.
Contact Information
The College of Lake County HVAC administration can be contacted for further information by calling 847-543-2000.
Address: 19351 W Washington St, Grayslake, IL 60030, United States
3 Coyne College
About
Located in Chicago, Coyne College boasts accreditation from the ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges).
The estimated tuition for the diploma program is $15,000, and the expected completion time is 42 weeks.
Programs / Courses
During those 42 weeks of pursuing Coyne College’s diploma in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, students are prepared for entry-level work by learning the essentials of mechanical and electrical systems of typical HVACR systems.
The program also prepares graduates to pass the EPA 608 refrigeration certification exam.
At 49 credit hours, the diploma program includes courses like essential workplace skills, installation and troubleshooting systems, gas heating, air conditioning, electric heat, heat pump, and introduction to commercial controls.
Contact Information
Coyne College applicants can contact the school by calling the Admissions Director at 630-216-4870.
Address: 1 N State St # 400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
4 Elgin Community College
About
Situated just outside the Chicago city limits is Elgin Community College.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Elgin Community College has an in-district tuition of $13 per credit hour, an out-of-district tuition cost of $297 per credit hour, and an out-of-state fee of $396 per credit hour.
Programs / Courses
The college offers seven program paths, including the following:
- Associate degree in HVAC – 61 credit hours
- HVAC facilities maintenance technician certificate – 46.5 credit hours
- Light commercial HVAC service technician – 38.5 credit hours
- Sheet metal mechanics – 34.5 credit hours
- Residential HVAC service technician – 26.5 credit hours
- Refrigeration service technician – 18.5 credit hours
- Residential HVAC systems – 12.5 credit hours
Contact Information
The admissions group at Elgin Community College can be reached via email at accessecc@elgin.edu
Address: 1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123, United States
5 HVAC Technical Institute
About
Established in Chicago in 1994, the HVAC Technical Institute offers electrical, LCR, HVACR, and HVAC professions courses.
Students benefit from classroom techniques and concepts and practical firsthand training.
The estimated tuition is $15,000, and the COE accredits the school (Commission of the Council of Occupational Education and HVAC Excellence).
Programs / Courses
Since the school is focused exclusively on HVAC topics, the program is structured differently than community colleges or other trade schools.
There’s a single HVAC program that contains seven modules consisting of the following:
- Module 1 – Electricity
- Module 2 – heating
- Module 3 – essential air conditioning
- Module 4 – advanced air conditioning
- Module 5 – ventilation and installation
- Module 6 – Hydronics
- Module 7 – career readiness
Contact Information
To contact the HVAC Technical Institute administration, call 773-927-9562
Address: 4532 S Kolin Ave 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60632, United States
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Chicago Professional Center |
|
#2 | College of Lake County |
|
#3 | Coyne College |
|
#4 | Elgin Community College |
|
#5 | HVAC Technical Institute |
Read the full guide: How to Become an HVAC Technician
HVAC Schools by City
HVAC Schools by State