All Mid-State campuses are closed Monday, December 23, through Wednesday, January 1, in observance of the Winter Break. We look forward to assisting you when we open again on Thursday, January 2. See our list of online services that remain available during the college closure.
Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer
Technical Diploma
Why choose Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Installer?
- Acquire the hands-on foundation needed for an entry-level position in the HVAC fields.
- Complete the EPA 608 Technician Certification exam.
When nature’s thermostat rises and falls, HVAC installers are there to ensure thermal comfort throughout the day, designing and installing the perfect AC unit or furnace to suit a customer’s needs and budget. Beyond temperature control, the systems they install also contribute to air quality and overall environmental control of buildings.
Program Locations
Wisconsin Rapids Campus
500 32nd Street North
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
Delivery:
In Person
Daytime
Full-Time or Part-Time
16-Week Classes or Varying Class Schedule
Length of Program: Short Term
Credits: 24
Start Dates: Fall or Spring
Start at any time or campus by taking general education courses.
What You'll Learn
Mid-State’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning program provides the hands-on foundation needed for an entry-level position in the HVAC fields. Graduates will understand the various components of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, including furnaces, ductwork, boilers, hydronic piping, HRVs (heat recovery ventilators), evaporators, condensers, circuits, and controls.
Students will also explore geothermal, biomass, and solar heating systems. Through hands-on classroom lab activities, students will join various piping types, design and construct ductwork, and install a complete residential HVAC system. They will also learn the electrical skills necessary to read wiring diagrams and troubleshoot mechanical control systems. Graduates are prepared to take the EPA 608 Technician Certification exam for refrigerants.
Outcomes
- Join pipes or tubing to equipment and to fuel, water, or refrigerant source to form complete circuit.
- Test pipe or tubing joints or connections for leaks, using pressure gauge or soap-and-water solution.
- Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician’s hand tools.
- Install, connect, and adjust thermostats, humidistats, and timers using hand tools.
- Test electrical circuits or components for continuity using electrical test equipment.
- Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
- Obtain and maintain required certifications.
- Install ductwork and test for leaks.
- Size and lay out ductwork.
- Comply with all applicable standards, policies, and procedures, including safety procedures and the maintenance of a clean work area.
- Inspect and test systems to verify system compliance with plans and specifications or to detect and locate malfunctions.
Employability Skills
- Behave Responsibly: Ethical Behavior, Self-Responsibility, Conflict Resolution, Collaboration
- Communicate Effectively: Writing, Technical Documentation, Listening, Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, Reading
- Critical & Creative Thinking: Inquiry, Evidence Collection, Analysis, Reasoning, Reflection (Metacognition)
- Cultural, Social, & Global Awareness: Global Awareness, Social & Cultural Awareness, Social Responsibility
- Use Appropriate Technology: Use of Technology, Confidentiality, Security, Digital Civility
Learn more about employability skills at Mid-State.
Estimated Entire Program Cost
Cost based on the 2024/25 academic year.
- Tuition & Fees: $4,380.53
- Books: $764.27
- Supplies, Uniforms, and/or Exams: $25.00
- Total Estimated Cost: $5,169.80
Financial Aid Eligibility
This program is eligible for full Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance
Learn more about Cost of Attendance, an estimated budget that includes categories of expenses a student can expect to incur while attending.
This course has options available to receive credit for prior learning (CPL) or work experience.
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10601110 | HVAC Heating Fundamentals | 2 | |
| 10601130 | Blueprint Reading for Construction Trades | 2 | |
| 10483123 | Piping Installation | 2 | |
| 10482107 | Construction Fundamentals | 2 | |
| 10601140 | Electricity for the Construction Trades | 2 | |
| 10442117 | Welding Fundamentals 1 | 1 | |
| 10476171 | Safety for Construction Trades | 1 | |
| Term Total | 12 Credits | ||
| Catalog# | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10483115 | Energy Load Estimation and Modeling | 3 | |
| 10601120 | HVAC Air Conditioning Fundamentals | 2 | |
| 10482103 | Electrical Components & Control Circuits | 2 | |
| 10483113 | Hydronics and Heat Pumps | 3 | |
| 10601121 | Intro to HVAC Installation | 2 | |
| Term Total | 12 Credits | ||
| Program Total | 24 Credits |
Instructors
MARK HAFERMAN, AD
Mark earned his associate degree in industrial mechanical technologies from Mid-State Technical College. He is also a licensed Journeyman Steamfitter and Journeyman Plumber with EPA 608 certification. His teaching at Mid-State draws on 12 years of experience in HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical field service.
“Being a trades instructor is very fulfilling for me. I love to pour into students, share what I have learned through experience, work alongside them, and help them pursue their career in the trades.”
KARL SCHWINGEL, BS
Karl graduated from Northland College with a bachelor of science in environmental science. His certifications include Solar Thermal Installer by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners® (NABCEP®) and EPA 608. Karl’s teaching is informed by 25 years of experience installing and servicing renewable energy systems and doing general residential construction as well as 15 years specializing in hydronic heating system design, construction, and service.
“I really enjoy developing in my students the skill to ask the right questions, in the right way. If you learn to ask the right questions, the answers will yield actionable knowledge.”
Careers
- Building Controls Technician
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Installer
- Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Apprenticeship
Fast-Track
High school students are eligible to enroll in this program and all courses required. Learn more about Mid-State Fast-Track.
Take the Next Step
"I entered the working world right after high school. After 20 years, I learned that the only way out of that rat race was through school. I realized that through Mid-State I could make myself worth more to a lot more companies. Without a doubt, attending Mid-State was the right decision, and the HVAC Installer program absolutely lived up to my expectations."
MICHAEL HAVLOVICK
GRADUATE
Choose Your Path
Career pathways help you take your education one step at a time to maximize your investment and make college fit your life. Earn a credential and start using it in the workforce. Continue with another stack of related courses to gain a more advanced diploma or degree. Explore this program’s pathway in the graphic below. For an even quicker first step to a degree or diploma, check out our short-term certificates.
Transfer • Dual Credit • Credit for Prior Learning
