Eastern Florida HVAC Program Benefits from Equipment Donation


February 22, 2018

Students in Eastern Florida State College's Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology program have expanded options for hands-on experience with ductless heating and cooling systems thanks to equipment donated by Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating.

12 male HVAC students, Mitsubishi sales manager, program instructor and woman with ductless hvac unit
As students from Eastern Florida's HVAC program look on, Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating Residential Area Sales Manager Rob Rickman, on the left, donates a ductless cooling and heating system to HVAC Program Coordinator Steve Heneghan and EFSC Foundation Donor Relations Coordinator Tonya Cherry. Heneghan called the ductless technology the "future of the HVAC industry" as he welcomed the hands-on teaching opportunity.

The two-part HVAC system, valued at $1,800, includes an outdoor condensing unit and indoor wall-mounted evaporator, which can be connected through a three-inch hole for piping and wiring, with no need for any attic ductwork.

"Ductless products are the fastest-growing part of the residential and commercial HVAC industry right now and we need more people in the workplace with training on this product," said Rob Rickman, Mitsubishi Electric's Residential Area Sales Manager.

"We need to give back to the tech schools to help them get that experience."

The donation was coordinated through the EFSC Foundation and came about thanks to HVAC Program Advisory Board member Ann Powers, vice president of Cocoa-based Air Care Systems.

"We've been a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor for more than 12 years and the advisory committee had discussed the need to get students more familiar with ductless, zoned cooling which is a more efficient, less expensive way of cooling," said Powers, who reached out to Mitsubishi to secure the donation.

"We are so grateful to companies like Mitsubishi and Air Care Systems who donate equipment to provide hands-on training for our students," said Tonya Cherry, EFSC Foundation, Donor Relations Coordinator.

"There are many ways to support our student’s education at EFSC and a donation of specialized equipment is an excellent opportunity to contribute."

EFSC's 18-month certificate program on the Cocoa campus trains students in HVAC installation, service and repair. Learn more about the program at easternflorida.edu/go/hvac or 321-433-5771.

For more information about ways to support Eastern Florida State College, contact the EFSC Foundation at 321-433-7055.