About this course
This course is required to access some government incentives (including the NYS Clean Heat Program), some product distributors require it of their dealers, and some engineers restrict bid lists to IGSHPA Accredited installers and drillers. Quite simply, this is the foundational course for any serious geothermal professional.
Ready To Sign Up Today? Click Here to Enroll
Course outline
10 modules • 72 assignments • 6:46 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 3 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Order IGSHPA Manuals [strongly recommended not required]
Module 1 • 5 assignments
Introduction
This week covers the basics of geothermal systems.
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- Intro to Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Systems - Part 1 (12:07 minutes) Preview
- Intro to Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) Systems - Part 2 (25:05 minutes)
- Introduction (20 questions)
- Reading: IGSHPA Installer Accreditation Versus Vertical Loop Installer (Driller) Accreditation
Module 2 • 7 assignments
Economics, Marketing and Demand Reduction
Doing a simple payback analysis is a practical first step to take on any geothermal project. There are some simple first steps that will pay off down the road by setting realistic expectations for your prospective client.
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- Economics & Marketing - Part 1 (12:31 minutes)
- Economics & Marketing - Part 2 (11:40 minutes)
- Economics & Marketing - LoopLink Example (11:14 minutes)
- Article: Geothermal Is A Safeguard Against Rising Energy Prices (Optional)
- Article: ASHP vs. GSHP Efficiencies (Optional) (.pdf)
- Economics, Marketing, and Demand Reduction (10 questions)
Module 3 • 5 assignments
Soils Identification
In ground heat exchanger construction, you must be able to identify the type of soil/rock where the installation will take place. First, the soil/rock type will affect the installation methods used. Secondly, the thermal properties of the soil/rock in the area will dictate how much ground heat exchanger piping will be needed. Supplemental lesson courtesy of GRTI.
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- Soil/Rock Identification & Thermal Properties (26:00 minutes)
- Supplemental Video Lesson - Direct Formation Thermal Conductivity Measurement (16:51 minutes)
- Supplemental Video slides (.pdf)
- Soil & Rock Identification & Thermal Properties (20 questions)
Module 4 • 7 assignments
Selecting, Sizing and Designing the Heat Pump System
This lesson helps to identify key areas of focus for geothermal systems – including equipment configurations, performance and proper selection
- Presentation slides - GSHP Performance (.pdf)
- Presentation slides - GSPH Selection (.pdf)
- GSHP Performance (23:20 minutes) Preview
- GSHP Selection (17:52 minutes)
- GSHP Performance - LoopLink Example (10:53 minutes)
- Homework Assignment
- GSHP Performance & Selection (20 questions)
Module 5 • 7 assignments
Designing the Ground Heat Exchanger
This is the meatiest part of the course because this is what makes a geothermal system unique, and there’s so much to learn. In this week's lesson we’ll make sure you really understand how to properly design the ground heat exchanger.
- Presentation slides - GHEX Piping (.pdf)
- Presentation slides - GHEX Design (.pdf)
- GHEX Piping (24:42 minutes)
- Closed-Loop GHEX Design (21:56 minutes) Preview
- Closed-Loop GHEX Design - LoopLink Example (18:49 minutes)
- Homework Assignment
- GHEX Design (35 questions)
Module 6 • 9 assignments
Grouting Procedures for Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems
Grouting is a critical part of vertically- and horizontally-bored GHEX installation. This module covers all necessary aspects of grouting—how, what, why and when—material courtesy of GeoPro, Inc.
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- Proper Grouting Procedures & Technical Considerations - Part 1 (15:15 minutes)
- Proper Grouting Procedures & Technical Considerations - Part 2 (12:01 minutes)
- Proper Grouting Procedures & Technical Considerations - Part 3 (09:28 minutes)
- Proper Grouting Procedures & Technical Considerations - Part 4 (15:42 minutes)
- Homework Assignment (.pdf)
- Homework Resource - Online Grout Volume & Cost Calculator
- Reading: Product Handling Guide (Optional) (.pdf)
- Grouting Procedures (20 questions)
Module 7 • 5 assignments
Pipe Joining Methods
Heat fusion (butt, socket, sidewall, and electrofusion) is the predominant method of joining plastic pipe in the buried portion of the ground heat exchanger. The loop installer should always consult with the pipe manufacturer for proper fusion procedures. This lesson reviews the basic procedures, necessary equipment, and items to be aware of in the heat fusion process, courtesy of Performance Pipe.
- Performance Pipe Website
- Socket Fusion Procedures (09:16 minutes)
- Butt Fusion Procedures (08:54 minutes)
- Reading: Fusion Procedures & Qualifications Guide (Optional) (.pdf)
- Fusion Procedures (20 questions)
Module 8 • 7 assignments
System Installation
Now that GSHP system design is well understood, we will discuss the proper installation techniques to help you make sure that the system will work as well as it has been designed.
- Presentation slides - Interior GSHP Installation (.pdf)
- Presentation slides - Ground Loop Installation (.pdf)
- Interior GSHP Piping Design & Installation - Part 1 (22:26 minutes)
- Interior GSHP Piping Design & Installation - Part 2 (06:49 minutes)
- Ground Loop Installation - Part 1 (16:27 minutes)
- Ground Loop Installation - Part 2 (16:30 minutes)
- System Installation (20 questions)
Module 9 • 6 assignments
Flushing & Purging the System
Before a system can be placed into operation, it must be flushed and purged and the proper amount of antifreeze must be added. This lesson will also cover error detection techniques you can use to verify that the loops have been properly connected to the header.
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- Flushing & Purging Procedures (15:33 minutes)
- Error Detection & Antifreeze Volume (08:32 minutes)
- Homework Assignment (.pdf)
- Homework Resource - Antifreeze Volume Calculator (.xlsm) (.xlsm)
- Flushing & Purging (15 questions)
Module 10 • 6 assignments
Heat Pump System Startup and Checkout + GeoExchange Drilling: Project Costing & Bidding
With the design and install work complete, the last step in a successful project is to ensure that things are working as they should. This lesson gives an overview of the basic steps to take to check for proper system control/operation after startup and to help diagnose problems if they arise. The final lesson will cover the various business-related aspects of GeoExchange drilling. It provides an overview of the things to consider before placing a bid on a project.
- Reading: How to Measure Forced-Air GSHP Efficiency
- Presentation slides (.pdf)
- System Startup, Performance Checking & Troubleshooting (16:37 minutes)
- Performance Checking (10 questions)
- Homework Assignment (.pdf)
- GeoExchange Drilling Considerations (10 questions)
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- Ready to take the IGSHPA Exam?
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructor
-
Ryan Carda
Principal Engineer, Dandelion EnergyRyan Carda is Principal Engineer for Dandelion. He is primarily responsible for design and engineering standardization, with a focus on optimizing the performance and lowering the cost of geothermal systems. Prior to that, Ryan co-founded Geo-Connections in 2004 and served as the company’s President until he sold the company to Dandelion. The products Ryan developed... Learn more