This course introduces the core principles of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, emphasizing system types, psychrometrics, and energy efficiency. Participants will explore hydronic, air, and steam systems, as well as controls and automation, through practical examples and field insights. With a focus on comfort, safety, and sustainability, this course is ideal for professionals who need a working knowledge of HVAC systems without deep technical prerequisites.

• Facility managers, engineers, and architects involved in building operations or design.
• Project managers and professionals responsible for HVAC-related decisions.
• Anyone seeking a practical introduction to HVAC systems and technologies.

• Understand the function and application of HVAC components and systems in commercial buildings.
• Interpret psychrometric charts and apply ASHRAE standards for indoor air quality and energy conservation.
• Compare system types and evaluate design considerations for hydronic, air, and steam-based HVAC systems.

Introduction to HVAC

• The need for HVAC
• References, standards and codes
• Terms, definitions and units
• HVAC system type overview
• Ventilation and air quality
• Buildings and energy efficiency

Psychrometrics

• Properties of moist air
• Psychrometric chart
• Sensible and latent
• Combined processes
• Mixing of air streams
• Design conditions

Refrigeration in HVAC

• Phase change and refrigerants
• Vapor compression cycle
• Chilled water vs. D/X cooling
• Decarbonization and heat pumps

Hydronic Systems

• Definition of "hydronics"
• Comparison to air systems
• Types of hydronic systems
• Heating Hot Water
• Chilled Water
• Condenser Water: Tower and Geo-exchange
• Glycol Water
• Types of central equipment
• Boilers
• Chillers
• Cooling Towers / Fluid Coolers
• Pumps
• Heat Exchangers
• Types of terminal equipment
• Coils
• Unit Heaters
• Fan Coil Units
• Chilled Beams
• Radiant
• System Comparison – Advantages / Disadvantages

All Air Systems

• Definition of "all air systems"
• Types of all supply and return air systems
• Recirculating / Mixed Air Systems
• Dedicated Outside Air (DOAS) Systems
• Overhead / Dilution Type: Constant Volume (CAV) and Variable Volume (VAV)
• Displacement / UFAD Type
• Types of exhaust systems
• General – Toilet, etc.
• Laboratory, process, or other specialty systems
• Types of central equipment
• Packaged / Unitary systems
• Split systems
• Air handling units
• Fans
• Types of terminal equipment
• Air Terminal Units / VAV Boxes
• Grilles, Registers, & Diffusers
• System Comparison – Advantages / Disadvantages
• Hybrid approaches
• Applications / Examples 

Steam and Steam Condensate

• Definition of "steam"
• Comparison to air and hydronic systems
• ASME Codes / Safety
• Types of steam and condensate systems
• Low Pressure
• High Pressure
• Condensate Collection: Gravity return, Pumped return, Vacuum
• Types of central equipment
• Boilers
• Heat Exchangers
• Make-up water systems
• Types of terminal equipment
• Coils
• Humidifiers
• Unit Heaters
• Fan Coil Units
• Radiant
• System Comparison - Advantages / Disadvantages
• Applications / Examples

Field Tour - Wisconsin Energy Institute

Controls: Building Automation Systems

• Definition / Purpose of "Building Automation System (BAS)"
• Types of HVAC control systems
• Local
• Centralized (Building-wide)
• Pneumatic
• Direct Digital Control
• Pneumatic-Hybrid
• Programmable Logic Control (PLC)
• Type of control equipment
• Valves
• Dampers
• Actuators
• Sensors and thermostats
• Types of Controls
• Proportional/Modulating Control Concepts
• Open/Closed Loop Control/li>
• Wisconsin Energy Institute 
• Sequence of Operations
• Mechanical Flow Diagrams

"Great wealth of knowledge across the instructors, gave the chance to see the experience from different fields. Notes were well developed and will allow the student to reference back. The tour of the building was a good experience that allowed the classroom teaching to blend into the real world." 
–Richard, Energy Systems Group, Frederick, MD

"I believe this course does an excellent job of covering the fundamentals of HVAC systems no matter what your background or level of training/education is...This course will help me convey the pros and cons of various mechanical equipment to the owners that I deal with on a daily basis...Very informative, and enjoyable class. Thank you!"
—Jacob, J.H. Findorff and Son, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin 

"I feel that I will now be able to more confidently discuss equipment and the "why” with field personnel, engineers, and my colleagues … I learned a lot and will recommend it to coworkers.”
—Tori, Assistant Project Manager, Grunau Company, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Deanne Walz

Deanne is a Project Manager at Affiliated Engineers, a national MEP engineering consulting firm with 16 offices. She began her career in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where she contributed mechanical design expertise to several projects at the National Institutes of Health. Now based in Madison, Deanne focuses on healthcare projects, currently leading the design of a new 332,000-square-foot hospital for Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette, Wisconsin. Her recent work also includes MEP and utility infrastructure planning for Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee and the mechanical design of a 452,000-square-foot expansion at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Delaware. Deanne is a licensed professional engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional, bringing a strong commitment to sustainable and high-performance building design.

Brian Clark

Brian Clark, PE, is a registered mechanical engineer at the National Laboratory of the Rockies. His experience is extensive and includes HVAC design of health care, laboratories, clean rooms, manufacturing, office space, and indoor waterpark resorts to name a few. He now focuses on building energy security and resilience research. Brian received his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Doug Showers

Mark Malkin

Mark P. Malkin, PE, is a program director in the Office of Interdisciplinary Professional Programs in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison. He is a registered Professional Engineer with over 25 years of experience in university facilities project management and HVAC systems design. His course offerings include HVAC, plumbing and fire protection fundamentals, building code reviews, and design and operation of science labs, data centers, museums and libraries. Mark received his bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University, and his MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW–Madison.

Tim Fritsche

Dave Meinzer

David J. Meinzer, DES, is a Pre-Construction Project Manager in the Majors Division at J.F. Ahern Company, focusing on Laboratory and Healthcare project design/pre-construction. Dave is a registered Designer of Engineering Systems (in the state of Wisconsin) with over 24 years of experience in HVAC system design, including coordinating and collaborating with design concepts with clients, other disciplines, and contractors. Dave is fluent in Revit modeling, load calculations, and system designs.

Joel Boado

Joel joined Affiliated Engineers, a MEP engineering consultant with 16 offices, in 2004 as a mechanical engineer. His early tenure primarily focused on the design of data centers for multiple client types; however, for the past several years, he has been focused on large-scale healthcare buildings as project manager and lead mechanical engineer. He managed the new, 496,000 sf UW Health at The American Center (Madison WI) and provided mechanical engineering services for the 1.2 million sf Center for Care & Discovery at The University of Chicago Medicine. He currently is managing the 1.5 million sf North Campus Expansion on the Houston Methodist Hospital campus. Joel is a registered engineer and a LEED Accredited Professional.

Jacob Weber

Jacob is a registered professional mechanical engineer at Affiliated Engineers, Inc where he focuses on HVAC and utility system analysis and design for industrial test, manufacturing, and university clients. His design experience includes hydraulic shaker test cells, aircraft hydraulic test systems, engine and chassis test cells, wind tunnels, and climatic chambers. In addition, he is well versed in utility and infrastructure designs such as steam, heating hot water, chilled water, process water, and tower water systems. Jacob’s current prominent clients include General Motors, Collins Aerospace, and University of Wisconsin – Madison.