Founded in 2016 in Austin, Texas by Doug Donovan, Interplay Learning was built to solve a problem familiar to every HVAC owner: new hires need far more hands-on troubleshooting practice than a few ride-alongs can provide. The platform combines short video lessons, knowledge checks, and proprietary 3D simulations that let technicians virtually diagnose and repair real HVAC equipment, including gas furnaces, heat pumps, refrigeration systems, mini-splits, and rooftop units. Learners can run the simulations on a phone, tablet, laptop, or VR headset, getting unlimited repetitions on scenarios like burnt contactors, refrigerant charge problems, or control-board failures without burning a truck roll.
Interplay is the exclusive online training partner of the NATE Training Academy, and its HVAC courses are approved for NATE continuing education units. Prep tracks cover EPA Section 608 Types I through Universal, NATE Core and Specialty, HVAC Excellence employment-ready credentials, and OSHA 10/30 safety. The content library exceeds 500 hours with 94 customizable learning paths, allowing service managers to assign curriculum based on role (apprentice, installer, service tech, senior tech) and trade focus. Admin dashboards track completion, quiz scores, simulation performance, and time-in-training, giving owners visibility into technician development that was previously anecdotal.
Pricing includes an individual plan at roughly $19 per month or $199 per year for self-paced learners, with Team plans starting at 25 learners and Enterprise plans customized for multi-location contractors, all quoted by the sales team. With more than 2,000 customers and 110,000+ users, Interplay has become a standard piece of the technician development stack for mid-to-large HVAC contractors, franchise networks, and trade schools. Customers report faster ramp times for new hires, higher first-time fix rates, and a structured CEU pipeline for NATE renewal.