Heat Pumps
Geothermal
HVAC Design
IGSHPA Certification
IGSHPA Certified Residential Geothermal Designer
About this course
Offered in partnership with the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA). This course is designed to prepare students to take the exam to become IGSHPA Certified Residential Geothermal Designer.
The course will use IGSHPA's "Residential and Light Commercial Design and Installation Manual", and is taught by the author. LoopLink RLC, an online geothermal design tool, will be used heavily in the class and the course comes with an unlimited license for the software. Each module, students will have a reading lesson, a homework assignment (usually a design that you have to do on your own), and discussion with the instructor and other students.
MANUALS NOT INCLUDED: A full set of IGSHPA manuals is strongly recommended but not required. Manuals may be purchased at the IGSHPA Online Store. There are two ways to purchase the manuals - either physical manuals ($225) or licensed PDF manuals ($130). Having access to these manuals will help you pass the exam.
MANUALS NOT INCLUDED: A full set of IGSHPA manuals is strongly recommended but not required. Manuals may be purchased at the IGSHPA Online Store. There are two ways to purchase the manuals - either physical manuals ($225) or licensed PDF manuals ($130). Having access to these manuals will help you pass the exam.
FEES NOT INCLUDED: Fees for the IGSHPA test, IGSHPA membership, and CSA standards are not included with this course fee. When you finish the course and want to take the exam, you'll need to pay $350 for the testing fees, 3-year IGSHPA membership, and individual copy of the CSA Standards. These are required by IGSHPA and the fees we collect go directly to IGSHPA.
Course outline
8 modules
10 - 12 hours to complete
6:13 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 13 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 13 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.
- Introduction to Geothermal Designer Boot Camp (05:09 minutes) Preview
- Download Slides From Video Lessons (.pdf)
- Order: Order IGSHPA Manuals [strongly recommended not required]
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- LoopLink Introduction (05:43 minutes)
- Register for a free LoopLink design software license
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
- Reviewing Fundamental GSHP Concepts (11:31 minutes) Preview
- Review of Heat Pumps (18:05 minutes) Preview
- Ground Connection Methods (21:00 minutes) Preview
- Take your Skills Assessment Quiz 1
- Optional Reading: 'How Ground/Water Source Heat Pumps Work' (.pdf)
- Optional Reading from the IGSHPA Manual
Module 1 • 9 assignments
Building Loads, GHP Hot Water Generation Options, Energy Modeling
Module 1 • 9 assignments
Building Loads, GHP Hot Water Generation Options, Energy Modeling
Working with accurate loads is critical to a solid, cost-effective geothermal design. 'Garbage in, garbage out' is something we've all heard plenty of times - these assignments take the garbage out of your project. It's important to note that this isn't an exhaustive course for calculating building loads (that's a full course on it's own), but we will cover the basics.
- Learning Objectives for Week 1 (.pdf)
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- OPTIONAL - Download Powerpoint Slides from Week 1 (.pdf)
- Building Loads, Hot Water Generation Options, Energy Modeling (11:32 minutes)
- Domestic Hot Water Generating Options (19:28 minutes)
- Energy Loads and Heat Pump Performance (11:51 minutes)
- Take your Week 1 Quiz over GSHP Basics
Module 2 • 13 assignments
Understanding Equipment Performance & Equipment Selection Strategies
Module 2 • 13 assignments
Understanding Equipment Performance & Equipment Selection Strategies
Selecting the proper equipment is critical to designing cost-effective geothermal systems that work and are easy to maintain.
- Learning Objectives for Week 2 (.pdf)
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- OPTIONAL - Download Powerpoint Slides from Videos (Part 1) (.pdf)
- OPTIONAL - Download Powerpoint Slides from Videos (Part 2) (.pdf)
- Heat Pump Selection (12:39 minutes)
- GSHP Heating Performance (19:13 minutes)
- Performance Data for Single Capacity GSHP (29:37 minutes)
- Performance Data for Dual Capacity GSHP (09:56 minutes)
- Water-Water GSHP Sizing (11:12 minutes)
- HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: GSHP Selection (.pdf)
- Email your homework to Ryan
Module 3 • 11 assignments
Ground Heat Exchanger (GHEX) Design Basics
Module 3 • 11 assignments
Ground Heat Exchanger (GHEX) Design Basics
This week we lay the foundation for designing closed loop ground heat exchangers.
- Learning Objectives for Week 3 (.pdf)
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- OPTIONAL: Download Week 3 Powerpoint Slides (.pdf)
- GHEX Design Basics (16:47 minutes)
- General GHEX Design Procedure (21:45 minutes)
- Vertically-Bored GHEX Design (13:39 minutes)
- Horizontally-Trenched GHEX Design (11:13 minutes)
- HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: GHEX Design (.pdf)
- Email your homework to Ryan
Module 4 • 11 assignments
Head Loss Calculations & Interior Piping Design
Module 4 • 11 assignments
Head Loss Calculations & Interior Piping Design
Now we're getting into real design problems.
- Learning Objectives for Week 4 (.pdf)
- Optional Reading
- Optional Reading
- OPTIONAL Download Week 4 Powerpoint Slides (.pdf)
- Interior Piping & Pumping Design (22:56 minutes)
- Head Loss / Pressure Drop (16:42 minutes)
- Head Loss Calculation Example (18:48 minutes)
- Design Tool - Head Loss Calculation Worksheet 1 (.pdf)
- Design Tool - Head Loss Calculation Worksheet 2 (.pdf)
- HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Perform Head Loss Calculations (.pdf)
- Email your homework to Ryan
Module 5 • 8 assignments
Interior Load Distribution + Beginning the Final Design Problem
Module 5 • 8 assignments
Interior Load Distribution + Beginning the Final Design Problem
During this week you will begin work on the final design problem. This final design is split into two parts - the video lessons will give you the remaining tools you need to complete this design on your own. This is the last step toward course completion.
- OPTIONAL - Download Week 5 Powerpoint Slides (.pdf)
- Interior Load Distribution (17:12 minutes)
- Water-to-Water Hydronic Applications (13:55 minutes)
- Supplemental Heat Options (12:10 minutes)
- Final Exam Part 1 (09:05 minutes) Preview
- Final Assignment - Multizone GSHP Selection & GHEX Design (.pdf)
- Final Assignment - Floor Plan (.pdf)
- Final Assignment - Equipment Schedule (Blank spreadsheet for you to fill out) (.xls)
Module 6 • 9 assignments
Submit Final Design Problem
Module 6 • 9 assignments
Submit Final Design Problem
Final exams are due one week after the last day of the course. They must be submitted on time and be correct to receive a completion certificate. Send Ryan an email when you have completed the design in LoopLink - this is 'official' way to submit the assignment.
- System Flushing & Purging Pipe Volume (12:24 minutes)
- OPTIONAL - Download Week 6 Powerpoint Presentation (.pdf)
- Final Assignment - Final Exam Part 2 (.pdf)
- Download GeoPro's Head Loss Calculation spreadsheet to complete the final assignment. (.xls)
- Final Assignment - Record Your Head Loss Volume Calculations Here (.xls)
- Final Assignment - Interior Piping Schematic (.pdf)
- Final Assignment - Exterior Piping Schematic (.pdf)
- Final Assignment - VFD Pump Curves (.pdf)
- Final Exam Review: Ryan will provide you feedback and let you know what you did well and where you might improve going forward.
Conclusion • 5 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
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
CTO, Midwest Geothermal
Ryan Carda is the CTO at Midwest Geothermal, one of the largest national installers of commercial-scale ground heat exchangers for geothermal heating and cooling applications. Before joining Midwest, Ryan held the positions of Sr. Director of Engineering at Dandelion Energy and President at Geo-Connections (which was acquired by Dandelion in 2018). Ryan has more than...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.
Are the IGSHPA manuals included with this course?
No, the manuals are not included. A full set of IGSHPA manuals is strongly recommended but not required. The manuals cost $225 and are purchased directly through IGSHPA. Having access to these manuals will help you pass the exam.
If you want the full story about why...
When we launched this course we used to include all of the manuals. But the price was higher so we could pay for the manuals. Lots of people said they already had the manuals so it was a pain to do refunds and cancel the book orders. We decided it would be easier to just lower the price of the course and make the manual optional.
If you want the full story about why...
When we launched this course we used to include all of the manuals. But the price was higher so we could pay for the manuals. Lots of people said they already had the manuals so it was a pain to do refunds and cancel the book orders. We decided it would be easier to just lower the price of the course and make the manual optional.
Does this course help me design geothermal systems for commercial buildings?
Yes. This course will help you design geothermal systems for residential and commercial buildings. The buildings can even be quite large.
The CGD course is used to design geothermal systems for commercial buildings that have complex energy modeling needs. If the building requires an hourly energy analysis to account for variable schedules, then you need to take the CGD course.
This course uses the bin method to do less complicated energy usage calculations based on weather data. This works great for most buildings.
