Course Overview
This course equips non-trades personnel—homeowners, building operators, and maintenance workers—with the essential knowledge and practical skills to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain small residential heat pump systems. It is especially valuable for individuals in remote communities, where access to HVAC professionals is limited and self-reliance is essential. Through hands-on labs, fieldwork, case studies, and real-world scenarios, students will develop the competencies needed to ensure efficient system operation, carry out routine maintenance, and diagnose common performance issues. Designed specifically for non-trades facilities personnel, this course bridges the knowledge gap by teaching participants to monitor system performance, identify minor issues before they escalate into costly problems, and complete preventative maintenance that reduces risk of equipment failure. Students will gain foundational troubleshooting skills, learn basic diagnostic techniques, and develop skills to perform maintenance tasks such as inspecting and cleaning or repairing refrigerant lines, coils, condensate systems. Emphasis is also placed on effective communication with contractors—recognizing when to escalate issues and maintaining detailed documentation of maintenance activities and system diagnostics. By the end of the course, participants will be proficient in supporting the operations and maintenance of small residential heat pump systems to enhance comfort, reduce operating and maintenance costs, and mitigate risks of equipment failures.
Prerequisite(s)
- 60% in MZEB 1145
Credits
2.0
Domestic fees
$811.84
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate how to check, configure/program, and test heat pump system control settings in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance and site operating conditions.
- Demonstrate how to complete regular maintenance inspections, non-technical maintenance work, and documentation on various types of heat pump systems.
- Explain common technical problems or component failures with heat pump systems (compressor, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, indoor/outdoor units, controls, electronics, etc.)
- Demonstrate basic system troubleshooting techniques and problem solving including diagnostic procedures requiring the use of test equipment, onsite measurements, and interpretation of error codes.
- Complete minor technical maintenance or repair tasks on system components (e.g. damaged lineset insulation, clogged condensate lines, failed condensate pumps, cleaning coils, repairing building envelope penetrations, etc.)
- Document diagnostics, remedies, and outcomes of maintenance, troubleshooting, and simple repairs.
- Communicate with heat pump contractors for more advanced repairs and issues.
Effective as of Fall 2025
Course Offerings
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of MZEB 1146 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 53073
Dates
Sep 23 - Sep 25 Loading
- CRN 53073
- $811.84 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23 - Sep 25 | Wed, Thu, Fri | 08:30 - 16:30 | Other |
Duration
3 days
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.