HVAC Technician (Heat Pump Installer Specialty Only)
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician that focuses on heat pump installation, including in scenarios where an existing fossil fuel heating system is replaced in part or in full by a heat pump. The heat pump installer specialty curriculum equips an HVAC contractor to install and commission a heat pump system.
The curriculum begins with a general overview of heat pumps, variable speed heat pumps, and heat pump retrofit options (including retrofitting existing fossil fuel heating systems to use heat pumps) in Introduction to Heat Pumps. Thermostats for Heat Pumps and Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps covers thermostat control for heat pumps including dual fuel systems. Smart Diagnostic Tools discusses wireless probes and connected applications that streamline the commissioning and troubleshooting processes.
This curriculum is recommended for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, US Department of Labor SOC 49-9021.00, and supports the Heat Pump Installation Recognition Program.
HVAC - Introduction to Heat Pumps
Remember
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- Describe what an air source heat pump is and what it can be used for.
- Remember key terms related to sizing and design of heat pumps.
- Know the customer benefits of ASHPs.
Lecture Notes
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Remember
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 1.2
Understand
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- Understand how a heat pump moves heat.
- Understand the different types of heat pumps.
- What are the different heat pump options when looking for alternatives for homes that are currently heated by a gas furnace or boiler?
- Understand the market trends for heat pumps and the benefits of switching to heat pumps in existing homes.
- Understand the business case for ASHP installation services.
Lecture Notes
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Understand
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.3
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 2.4
Apply
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- What should a person consider before installing an air source heat pump?
- What should an HVAC installer consider about the ductwork and condensate drain in an existing home before installing a heat pump?
- Be able to compare the operating costs of ASHPs and fossil fuel heating systems.
Lecture Notes
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Apply
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 3.2
Problem Set
:
Introduction to Heat Pumps - Problem Set 3.3
HVAC - Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing (Level 2)
Remember
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- Remember the principles of heat pump operation, and why some heat pumps need to be made specifically suitable for cold climates.
Lecture Notes
:
Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing - Remember
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 1.2
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 1.3
Understand
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- Understand the traditional approach to sizing heat pumps.
- Understand the approaches to sizing heat pumps in cool and cold climates.
- Understand the balance point temperature.
- Understand heat pump cycling.
Lecture Notes
:
Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing - Understand
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 2.2
Problem Set
:
Cold Climate Heat Pumps Sizing - Problem Set 2.3
HVAC - Smart Diagnostic Tools
Remember
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- Know the impact of quality HVAC installation.
- Understand aspects of quality HVAC installation and how smart tools can be applied.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Remember
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 1.1
Understand
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- Know the definition of smart diagnostic tools and their components.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Understand
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 2.1
Apply
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- Understand an example of how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to the task of charging refrigerant.
- Understand how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to commissioning.
- Understand how smart diagnostic tools can be applied to troubleshooting and diagnostics.
Lecture Notes
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Apply
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Smart Diagnostic Tools - Problem Set 3.3
HVAC - Thermostats for Heat Pumps and Dual-Fuel Heat Pumps
Remember
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- Learn what a thermostat is and what it does.
Lecture Notes
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Remember
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 1.1
Understand
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- Understand why smart thermostat control is important for heat pumps.
- Understand when different components of dual fuel systems should operate.
Lecture Notes
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Understand
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 2.2
Apply
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- Understand terminal wiring for thermostats.
- Understand the thermostat settings for the dual fuel configuration for ecobee and NEST.
Lecture Notes
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Apply
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Thermostat Dual Fuel - Problem Set 3.2
HVAC - Preventative Maintenance
Remember
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- What is preventative maintenance, and who is responsible for this type of maintenance?
- Understand key terms relevant for preventative maintenance of HVAC systems.
- Understand the type of problems a technician may encounter when assessing HVAC system maintenance.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Remember
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 1.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 1.2
Understand
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- Understand the general steps for HVAC contractors carrying out maintenance inspections for HVAC Systems.
- Understand the general steps for HVAC contractors carrying out cleaning restoration for HVAC systems.
- Understand how a homeowner can perform preventative maintenance on a ductless air source heat pump.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Understand
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.2
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 2.3
Apply
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- Understand the inspection and maintenance tasks for different heat pump HVAC systems and their components.
- Understand how to perform standardized cleaning on HVAC systems and ductwork.
Lecture Notes
:
Preventative Maintenance - Apply
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 3.1
Problem Set
:
Preventative Maintenance - Problem Set 3.2