Heat Pump System Design & Installation
This is a bundle of these 9 courses
About this course
This course satisfies the contractor training requirement set by the NYS Clean Heat program. You can submit this certificate of completion with your application to access the money for your customers. More details on page 53 of the program manual.
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Bundle outline
9 courses • 36 modules
Course 1 •
1
modules
Heat Pump System Fundamentals
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 6 assignments
Heat Pump System Fundamentals
This is aimed at those will minimal experience with heat pumps. It “sets the stage” for more detailed topics in later courses. After taking this course you should have a basic understanding of how heat pumps work, the wide variety of heat pumps used in HVAC applications, and an understanding of how they perform.
- Introduction to the Course and Your Instructor (1A) (09:59 minutes)
- Starting Concepts (1B REV) (45:54 minutes)
- What can heat pumps do (1C) (11:43 minutes)
- Basic Heat Pump Refrigeration Systems (1D) (23:51 minutes)
- Basic Heat Pump Performance (1E) (24:05 minutes)
- A brief history of heat pumps (1F) (12:49 minutes)
Conclusion • 7 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!
- End of Course Knowledge Check - Heat Pump Fundamentals
- More reference material on water-to-water heat pumps (.pdf)
- More reference material on air-to-water heat pumps (.pdf)
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 2 •
1
modules
Air-to-Water Heat Pump Fundamentals
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 5 assignments
Air-to-Water Heat Pumps - Overview
- Physical Configurations (29:02 minutes)
- Basic Thermal Performance (14:00 minutes)
- Domestic Water Heating Applications (10:32 minutes)
- Why the North American Air-to-Water Heat Pump Market Will Grow (46:55 minutes)
- Air-to-water heat pumps (overview) example systems (24:18 minutes) Preview
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!
- Knowledge Check
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 3 •
3
modules
Geothermal Heat Pump Fundamentals
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 6 assignments
Overview of Residential Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
- "How Geothermal Heat Pumps Work" (.pdf)
- Read: "Geothermal What's in a Name?"
- Read: "The Ground Connection" (.pdf)
- Intro to GSHP Systems - Part 1 (12:07 minutes)
- Intro to GSHP Systems - Part 2 (25:05 minutes)
- Module 1 presentation slides (PDF) (.pdf)
Module 2 • 5 assignments
Overview of Commercial Geothermal Heat Pump Systems
- Basic Types of Heat Pumps (12:46 minutes)
- GSHP Systems (16:27) (16:27 minutes)
- The Ground Connection (12:48 minutes)
- Pros & Cons of Geothermal Systems (11:58 minutes)
- Module 2 presentation slides - Commercial Geothermal Heat Pump Overview (.pdf)
Module 3 • 4 assignments
Economics & Marketing Considerations
It's important to understand the factors that determine when geothermal heat pumps are a good investment and when they aren't. Even if you're not in sales, these are still important considerations in your work.
- Economics & Marketing - Part 1 (12:31 minutes)
- Economics & Marketing - Part 2 (11:40 minutes)
- Economics & Marketing - LoopLink Example (11:14 minutes)
- Module 3 presentation slides (PDF) (.pdf)
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!
- Learning Check (19 questions)
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 4 •
7
modules
Air-to-Water Heat Pump Applications
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Thermal performance of air-to-water heat pumps
This module reviews thermal performance considerations that are critical to designing efficient systems. It also covers henhanced vapor injection refrigeration systems and simulated seasonal system performance
- Thermal performance of air-to-water heat pumps (33:08 minutes)
Module 2 • 1 assignments
Integrating boilers with air-to-water heat pumps
This modules explains the benefits of combining air-to-water heat pumps with boilers (either new or existing). It should proper piping and discusses control techniques.
- Integrating boilers with heat pumps (11:37 minutes)
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Domestic water heating considerations using air-to-water heat pumps
This module describes different approaches for adding domestic water heating to systems using air-to-water heat pumps for space heating and cooling.
- Domestic water heating considerations using air-to-water heat pumps (15:14 minutes)
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Air-to-water heat pump sizing considerations
This module shows how the sizing (heating capacity) of an air-to-water heat pump relates to how much of the seasonal heating load it can provide
- Air-to-water heat pump sizing considerations (07:24 minutes)
Module 5 • 1 assignments
Installation details
This module covers several installation details for air-to-water heat pumps
- Installation details (27:27 minutes)
Module 6 • 1 assignments
Example systems using air-to-water heat pumps
This module shows and explains several complete system configurations that range from heating-only to systems that provide heating, cooling, and domestic hot water.
- Example systems using air-to-water heat pumps (18:01 minutes)
Module 7 • 1 assignments
New concepts for air-to-water heat pumps
This module explores several new "form factors" for air-to-water heat pumps.
- New concepts for air-to-water heat pumps (11:19 minutes)
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!
- Knowledge Check
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 5 •
2
modules
Geothermal Heat Pump Applications
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 15 assignments
Heat Pump Selection & Residential Ground Loops
- Reading "A Basic Guide to Heat Pump Selection" (.pdf)
- Overview of GSHP Performance (23:20 minutes)
- Presentation slides (PDF) - Overview of GSHP Performance (.pdf)
- GSHP Selection - LoopLink Example (10:53 minutes)
- Closed-Loop GHEX Design Basics (11:54 minutes)
- Closed-Loop GHEX Design - LoopLink Example (18:49 minutes)
- Presentation slides (PDF) - Design of Closed-Loop Ground Heat Exchangers (.pdf)
- Read "How to Measure GSHP Efficiency for Forced-Air Units" (.pdf)
- Read "Geothermal Do's & Don't's" (.pdf)
- Important GSHP Design & Installation Considerations (33:21 minutes)
- Presentation slides (PDF) - Important GSHP Design Considerations (.pdf)
- Assignment Calculate the amount of propylene glycol for a 20% concentration in this ground loop. (.pdf)
- LoopLink Assignment – Part 1
- Antifreeze Volume Calculator (.xlsm)
- LoopLink Assignment Part – 2 (.pdf)
Module 2 • 15 assignments
Commercial Ground Loops
- Module 3 Presentation Slides (.pdf)
- Building Understanding, Pre-Modeling, and Site Visit (07:03 minutes)
- Common Fuels (08:55 minutes)
- Heating Energy Cost Comparison (09:03 minutes)
- Operating Costs (13:31 minutes)
- Closed-Loop Ground Heat Exchangers - Advanced Topics (11:34 minutes)
- Piping Systems (05:23 minutes)
- Planning and Design Review (12:25 minutes)
- Design Review - Flushing and Purging (10:23 minutes)
- Construction Verification (13:23 minutes)
- Practical Considerations (07:03 minutes)
- Presentation Slides (.pdf)
- Commercial Applications Quiz (20 questions)
- ASSIGNMENT: Calculate the propylene glycol (gal) for a 20% concentration in this GHEX. (.pdf)
- RESOURCE FOR ASSIGNMENT: Antifreeze Volume Calculator (.xls) - enable macros for proper operation (.xlsm)
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!
- End of Course Knowledge Check
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 6 •
7
modules
Hydronic Distribution Systems for Heat Pumps
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Why hydronics?
This module described the fundamental "physics" that allows hydronic-based systems to offer several unique benefits relative to forced air systems.
- Why hydronics? (21:43 minutes)
Module 2 • 1 assignments
The importance of low temperature distribution systems
This module explains why low temperature distribution systems are critical in optimizing the efficiency of contemporary heat sources. It also compares the thermal mass of different heat emitters, and explains the concept of thermal equilibrium.
- The importance of low temperature distribution systems (19:57 minutes)
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Low temperature / low thermal mass heat emitters
This module described several types of hydronic heat emitters that can be used with systems supplied by heat pumps. It covers construction details and thermal performance factors.
- Low temperature / low thermal mass heat emitters (36:12 minutes)
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Radiant floor heating
This module describes several methods of installing radiant floor heating. Each installation method is shown along with related thermal performance characteristics.
- Radiant floor heating (31:21 minutes)
Module 5 • 1 assignments
Air handlers and fancoils
This module covers the physical configuration and thermal performance of air handlers and fancoils that can be used with hydronic-based heat pumps.
- Air handlers and fancoils (10:07 minutes)
Module 6 • 1 assignments
Simple / repeatable homerun distribution systems
This module shows one of the simplest and best performing hydronic distribution systems for use with hydronic heat pumps.
- Simple / repeatable homerun distribution systems (20:12 minutes)
Module 7 • 1 assignments
Lowering water temperature in existing hydronic systems
This module explains different approaches that can significantly lower the required design load water temperature in existing hydronic systems that allow improved performance with hydronic-based heat pumps.
- Lowering water temperature in existing hydronic systems (29:07 minutes)
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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- End of Course Knowledge Check
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 7 •
8
modules
Small-Scale Chilled Water Cooling
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Advantages of chilled water cooling systems
- Benefits of small-scale chilled-water cooling (16:41 minutes)
Module 2 • 1 assignments
Thermal performance of AWHPs and WWHPs in cooling mode
A review focussing on the cooling performance of air0to-water and water-to-water heat pumps. Proper understanding of this performance is crucial to optimizing subsequent system design and avoiding installation errors.
- Thermal performance of AWHPs and WWHPs in cooling mode (12:11 minutes)
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Terminal units for chilled-water cooling
This module surveys the hardware available for delivering cooling and dehumidification to interior spaces based on chilled water. It describes sizing and selection.
- Terminal units for chilled-water cooling (14:38 minutes)
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Insulating chilled-water piping
This module shows why insulation of chilled water piping is critical, and described different materials and methods.
- Insulating chilled-water piping (11:15 minutes)
Module 5 • 1 assignments
Psychometrics of chilled-water cooling
This module covers the basic psychrometric concepts needed to understand and design chilled water cooling systems.
- Psychometrics of chilled-water cooling (13:34 minutes)
Module 6 • 1 assignments
Example systems
This modules assembles concepts and details from the previous modules into complete systems that provide chilled water cooling, as well as space heating and in some cases domestic water heating.
- Example systems (34:22 minutes)
Module 7 • 1 assignments
Water loop heat pump systems
This module covers the fundamentals of water loop heat pumps systems used in commercial buildings.
- Water loop heat pump systems (17:21 minutes)
Module 8 • 1 assignments
Systems that separate sensible & latent cooling
This modules describes contemporary systems for cooling where the sensible portion fo the cooling load is handled by chilled water circulating through terminal units at temperatures above dewpoint temperature.
- Systems that separate sensible & latent cooling (29:33 minutes)
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!
- Knowledge Check - Small-Scale Chilled Water Cooling
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 8 •
5
modules
Forced Air Distribution for Heat Pump Systems
Welcome • 2 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
Module 1 • 1 assignments
Ducting materials
- Ducting Materials (26:11 minutes)
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Duct system design concepts
- Introduction to Static Pressure Measurements (38:14 minutes)
- Duct System Design Concepts 1 (31:54 minutes)
Module 3 • 1 assignments
Types of supply air diffusers and return air grills
- Grilles, registers, and diffusers (26:31 minutes)
Module 4 • 1 assignments
Filtering and air cleaning systems
- Filtering and air cleaning equipment (32:55 minutes)
Module 5 • 1 assignments
Hydronic air-handler configurations
- Air handling equipment (27:28 minutes)
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!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Knowledge Check - Forced Air Distribution Systems
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Course 9 •
2
modules
Heat Pump Standards & Regulations in the USA and Canada
Module 1 • 3 assignments
Regulatory (EPA, Energy Star) and States specific performance requirements of heat pumps
- A Survey of the American Regulatory System for Heat Pump Space and Water Heating (01:03:29 hours)
- Slides: Survey of the American Regulatory System for Heat Pump Space & Water Heating (.pdf)
- Knowledge Check - 2023 DOE Heat Pump Standards
Module 2 • 2 assignments
Canadian Heat Pump Standards & Regulations
- Canadian Heat Pump Standards & Regulations (50:05 minutes)
- Knowledge Check - Canadian Heat Pump Standards & Regulations
Continuing Education Units
Approved for the following CEUs
- 2 NATE Continuing Education Hours
- 8 BPI CEUs
Instructors
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Sean Armstrong is the Managing Principal of Redwood Energy and has worked for 25 years in building electrification, designed the retrofit and new construction of more than 10,000 all-electric residences for disadvantaged populations, co-authored five practical guides to building electrification, provided legal and technical support to dozens of gas bans nationwide,... Learn more
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Ryan 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
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John Siegenthaler, P.E., is a mechanical engineering graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a licensed professional engineer, and Professor Emeritus of Engineering Technology at Mohawk Valley Community College. “Siggy” has over 40 years of experience in designing modern hydronic systems. He is a hall-of-fame member of the Radiant Panel Association, and a... Learn more
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Jon Harrod, Ph.D, is a contractor, author and electrification advocate. In 2006 Jon founded Snug Planet, an award-winning home performance company based in Ithaca NY. From its initial focus on energy audits and envelope improvements, Snug Planet has grown to offer whole-home solutions, including moisture management and HVAC upgrades. Snug Planet is an active participant... Learn more
