Domestic Heat Pumps (Ground & Air Source) - Installer & Designer Course

BACKGROUND

 With fuel prices rocketing, rising CO2 levels and energy supply becoming ever more critical, one technology that is sure to make a positive impact in this country is Heat Pumps. Whether ground source or air source they are set to become a major contributor to reducing the amount of CO2 emitted by the UK when producing heat in the domestic and commercial sector. Most major heating manufacturers are now either actively selling or about to bring to market heat pumps to the market. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for domestic systems is to be introduced in October 2012 to offer funding for Heat Pump Systems with an interim Renewable Heat Premium Payment set to bridge the gap until this is introduced. For commercial installations the RHI scheme starts in August 2011. A requirement of all the funding schemes is that the installer should be a member of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) administered by Gemserve

 

This is a natural development for the heating market and should be considered by any heating engineer whether they mainly work with gas, LPG, solid fuel, oil or bio-mass. More information on Heat Pumps can be found on the GSHPA website and the HPA website.

  

TARGET CANDIDATES - INSTALLERS

Qualified heating or plumbing operatives who want to expand their knowledge and skills to include installation of heat pumps.

 

TARGET CANDIDATES - DESIGNERS

This option is for those who will be involved in the Heat Pump supply chain but not actually carrying out the installation, certification and commissioning of the Heat Pump systems i.e. site managers, surveyors and designers etc. It is not necessary to hold the plumbing qualifications as required for the installer course, but some basic plumbing and heating knowledge is required.

 

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

To enable the candidates to confidently propose, survey, design and install domestic or small commercial heat pump installations, enlisting manufacturers support where required. The scope of the course covers up to 24kW for Ground Source and 16kW for Air Source.

 

COURSE OUTLINE

The course will include the following areas

 

•       Background to market

•       Regulations and Guidance

•       Principles of Operation

•       Collector types

•       Heat distribution

•       Pre-installation requirements

•       Installation Materials & Methods

•       Filling, Flushing and Testing

•       Setting to work, Commissioning

•       Servicing and fault finding

 

Pre-requisites to training & assessment for the Installer course

It will be essential that the candidate will be experienced in the installation of domestic cold and hot water systems. Candidates should hold an NVQ level 2 or equivalent plumbing and heating qualification and/or verifiable experience. Experience in basic electrical practice would also be desirable. A basic knowledge of the WRAS Water (fittings) Regulations is also desirable.

 

Noted exclusion from training & assessment:

This course is not intended to cover bore hole drilling or significant ground works, use of heavy plant and equipment or handling of refrigerants. The units covered in the course are pre-charge sealed units which should not require the refrigerant circuits being broken; if this is required a suitably qualified F Gas qualified operative should be employed.

During the design of any heat pump installation calculating accurately the heat load requirement is paramount to ensure optimum and efficient operation of the system. Calculating building load and heating system design is not covered in any great depth in this course and candidates without that knowledge should either employ the services of suitably qualified person, seek manufacturers guidance or take the Logic Foundation Heating and Hot Water System Design and Specification course which covers calculating accurate heat loads; this course is available separately from Amgen Renewables.

 

DURATION & ASSESSMENT

It is anticipated that the course will be 3-4 days in duration with both a practical and written assessment at the end of the Installer course. For the Designer course the candidates will undertake a written assessment and design exercise.