IGSHPA Credentials
IGSHPA Certified Residential Geothermal Designer (CRD)
Learn how to properly design a residential system, starting with the benefits and types of ground source heat pumps. After the course you'll be qualified to take (and pass!) the IGSHPA CRD exam.
Certified Residential Geothermal Designer Workshop
Learn how to properly design a residential system, starting with the benefits and types of ground source heat pumps. You'll also learn about the design process, energy loads and requirements, and how to calculate loads; how to select mechanical systems; site, geology and soil conditions; ground heat exchanger design; pumping, interior piping and header design; economics of the design; and calculate a sample problem. After the course you'll be ready to take (and pass!) a certification test to become an IGSHPA Certified Residential Geothermal Designer.
Who's the Certified Residential Designer Program For?
GSHP installers, contractors, dealers, home builders, manufacturers, distributors, architects, heating cooling mechanical engineers, trenching/water well drilling contractors, and anyone who desires a working knowledge of this innovative technology. Representatives from public utilities, private utilities, and rural electric cooperatives can also benefit from training.
Topics
- Ground Source Heat Pump Benefits
- System Components
- Heat Pump Types
- Design Process
- Energy Requirements
- Load Calculations
- Parameters that affect different types of heat pump performance, site, geology and soil conditions
- Heat pump and pipe design
- Economics of design
Exam Details
The IGSHPA exam package costs $350. It includes fees for the IGSHPA CRD exam, IGSHPA membership for 3 years, and an individual license for the CSA standards. This is paid once the course is completed and you are ready to take the exam.
The open-book exam has 50 multiple choice questions. To pass the exam, candidates must score 80% or above.
The CRD exam is not proctored and test takers may use any device to access the exam.
Renewing Your Certification
Continuing education is required every three years for certification renewal.
During the 3-year period, 8 points must be accumulated to renew your certification and an IGSHPA Continuing Education Form must be submitted. The points can be accumulated three ways:
- Employment
- You may accumulate up to 4 points by remaining continually employed for 3 years in the combined geothermal heat pump and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning field.
- Total points = (number of years x 1.33)
- Membership in an approved organization
- Approved organizations include IGSHPA, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and similar organizations
- 1 point = each year of membership
- Membership in more than one organization will apply toward accumulation of multiple points per year.
- Education
- Points can be accumulated by participating in continuing education or professional activities in the combined geothermal heat pump or HVAC field.
- 2 points can be accumulated for each 20 contact hours in seminars or training.
- Total contact hours x 0.1 = CEU credit points
- 2 points can also be accumulated for each college credit hour, if that applies.
IGSHPA memberships & certification can be purchased for 1 or 3 years at a time. IGSHPA members receive a discount on certification renewal (your membership term must match certification renewal term). An annual IGSHPA individual membership is $125/year. Member certification renewal is $75/year, while non-member certification renewal is $225/year.
You can learn more about IGSHPA certification renewal requirements here.