Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R)

HVAC students doing hands-on work in WITC's state-of-the-art facilities

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R)

54 Credits | 2 Years

Technical Diploma | Financial Aid-Eligible

Superior

Career Cluster: Architecture and Construction

People who enjoy new challenges will quickly warm up to a career in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R). Northwood Tech will give you the knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain heating and cooling systems both in commercial and residential settings. As emerging technologies hit the marketplace, Northwood Tech's graduates are prepared to install and service them. Through an integrated training process with up-to-date required courses, and a state-of-the-art lab setting, Northwood Tech's students enter the workforce with the skills needed to succeed in this fast-paced industry.   

Program Overview

The program operates out of Northwood Tech's state-of-the-art facility on the Superior campus. The program has industry partnerships with Trane USA, Snap-on Tools, and the National Coalition of Certification Centers. Students will learn skills in the areas of electricity, heating, residential air conditioning, refrigeration, geothermal, sheet metal fabrication, direct digital controls (DDC), and commercial HVAC applications. You can leave with industry credentialing in the areas of refrigerant handling safety, tool usage, and control systems. Foundational skills and principles learned in this program prepare you to work in the commercial and residential HVAC/R industry. Periodic site visits with active HVAC/R equipment are incorporated throughout the two-year program to enhance student learning. Students also attend several local training seminars, and conferences that feature industry experts so they can stay on top of industry trends, and training. Full-time students can complete the program in four semesters.  

Program Outcomes

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) graduates will be able to:

  • Install HVAC/R components
  • Service HVAC/R systems
  • Troubleshoot HVAC/R systems
  • Evaluate HVAC/R system designs

Through partnerships with Trane USA, Snap-on Tools and the National Coalition of Certification Centers, you'll graduate with industry credentialing in the areas of refrigerant handling safety, tool usage and control systems. You'll also attend training seminars and conferences that feature industry experts so you can stay on top of industry trends and training. The program operates out of the head of the Great Lakes training center, a state-of-the-art facility at the Northwood Tech-Superior campus. 

HVAC/R students using technology and equipment in Northwood Tech's HVAC/R lab

Industry connections.

Students using technology used in the HVAC/R industry

Learn by doing. 

Students working hands-on with with equipment used in the HVAC/R industry

State-of-the-art facilities.


Academics

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) is available at the Superior campus. 

Foundational skills and principles learned in this program prepare you to work in the commercial and residential HVAC/R industry. In this program, you will be trained in the areas of electricity, heating, residential air conditioning, refrigeration, geothermal, sheet metal fabrication, direct digital controls (DDC), and commercial HVAC applications. 

Experienced Instructors

Core instructors for this program come with a diverse background in the HVAC/R trade with a combined experience of over 65 years. 

100% Employment Rate

According to the recent Graduate Survey Responses, 100 percent of Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) graduates were employed within six months of graduating. 

Industry Certified

This program is certified by the National Coalition of Certifications (NC3). NC3 has developed a comprehensive workforce development program for training and professional certifications. 


Required Courses

This program will prepare students to design, install, service, maintain, and operate HVAC/R systems in residential, public, and small-scale commercial systems.

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Courses

32601307
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Topics include installation, start-up, and service of gas- and oil-fired heating equipment; air conditioning and air-to-air heat pump systems; and electrical and mechanical testing/analyzing of system components. PREREQUISITES: 32601301 Basic Mechanical Fundamentals and 32601304 Heating Systems.
32601312
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Topics include domestic and commercial refrigeration systems, applications, installation, servicing, troubleshooting, heat loads and piping, controls, and special refrigeration components. PREREQUISITES: 32601300 Air Conditioning Fundamentals, 32601301 Basic Mechanical Fundamentals, and 32601317 Refrigeration Fundamentals.
32601316
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
A building automation system, or BAS, is an umbrella energy management system that oversees HVAC control systems, heating, and other energy management systems in the building. A BAS itself can combine existing mechanical and electrical systems with microprocessors, and computers. Today's buildings require smarter and better technology and it is up to specially trained technicians to manage them efficiently. Students will gain a working knowledge of computers, networks as well as electrical control systems. PREREQUISITE: 32601305 Electrical Controls and Systems

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) is Part of a Career Pathway

As a Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!

 

 

You could take this first and earn a credential. 

Technical Diploma
14 Credits/Less Than 1 Year
Potential Careers
Service Technician, Refrigeration Technician
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Continue your education and advance your skills. 

Technical Diploma
27 Credits / 1 Year Full Time
Potential Careers
HVAC Installer, HVAC Mechanic, Service Technician, Systems Mechanic
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This is the program you're looking at. 

Technical Diploma
54 Credits / 2 Years Full Time
Potential Careers
Residential HVAC/R Technician, Commercial HVAC/R Technician, Industrial HVAC/R Technician, Mechanical Contractor HVAC/R Technician, Facilities HVAC/R Technician, Wholesale Service Representative
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Earn your bachelor's degree. 

Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R)

54 Credits | 2 Years

$9,540

$1,050 for tools, supplies and uniforms


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn technical diplomas in Refrigeration Essentials, HVAC Installation Technician, and Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning / Refrigeration (HVAC/R). 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

Student studying at a laptop

 

National Coalition of Certification Center

The National Coalition of Certification Centers is a value-driven organization and the future model for Career and Technical Education, creating highly-skilled, job-ready professionals through a growing network of educational partners and global industry leaders.

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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