Course Overview
The course provides an opportunity for residential HVAC installers to practice hands-on skills required for single-family residential air source heat pump installations, applying knowledge gained in prerequisite theory courses. After instructor demonstrations, students will practice techniques for executing a quality installation while working on ducted and ductless heat pump systems. This course is delivered in the BCIT Residential Heat Pump Installation Lab which hosts small residential equipment commonly used for single family homes including two different central heat pumps, a dual fuel system, and a multi-zone heat pump with a wall-mounted mini split, a slim duct indoor unit, a ceiling cassette, and a vertical central air handling unit. Over 5-days, students will assess electrical panels and ducting systems, interpret manufacturer installation manuals, correctly use start-up sheets, optimize ducting additions, install refrigerant linesets, charge systems with refrigerant, install condensate drains, install controls, commission and troubleshoot systems, and prepare for owner hand-over training. Students will learn safe work practices, refrigerant handling, and understanding of how the quality of a heat pump installation affects its performance. The course builds on the experience and theoretical knowledge of residential HVAC contractors. From mandatory prerequisite courses, students will already have knowledge and skills for heat loss and heat gain calculations, forced-air heating and cooling, design and installation of forced air and heat pump retrofits, refrigerants, in addition to holding a B-class Gas Fitter ticket.
Prerequisite(s)
- 1. One of the following: Principles of Moving Air (TECA), or Basic Principles of residential Ventilation (HRAI). 2.One of the following: Heat Loss and Heat Gains (TECA), or Residential Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculations (HRAI). 3. Quality Installation of Forced Air Furnace and Air Source Heat Pump Retrofits in BC Homes (HPSC). 4. House-as-a System (HPSC). 5. One of the following: ODP/ODS Online Program (HRAI), or HVAC 0145 - Canada’s Ozone Layer Protection Awareness Program for HVAC and Refrigeration (BCIT). 6. In addition to the above courses, student must be a Class B Gas Fitter
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Recall the policy, regulatory, and industry practices for installing air source heat pump systems in residential buildings.
- Assess the existing capacity of the electrical panel to determine whether the specified/required heat pump can be added.
- Assess air distribution systems in existing residential buildings for effective retrofit with air source heat pump systems.
- Explain certifications and work requirements for decommissioning and removing gas equipment.
- Interpret technical reports and manuals related to energy efficiency and equipment including but not limited to EnerGuide home assessment reports, F280-12 load calculations, equipment sizing specifications.
- Explain installation details and approaches to optimize ducting system performance.
- Install refrigerant linesets (calculate maximums for lines, installation of a site glass, liquid line drier, brazing and purging, insulation installation, sealing of penetrations through envelope, weigh in of refrigerant charge for a lineset).
- Test and charge various system(s) with refrigerant (pressure testing, leak troubleshooting, vacuum pump and gauge installation, charging of system based on super heat, subcooling and lineset length, and recovery of refrigerant).
- Install and test system controls (interpret manufacturer wiring and controls manuals, install wired and wireless thermostats, install electrical control circuit, and communicate wiring requirements between indoor and outdoor units to an electrician).
- Start-up and commission the system including functional testing and troubleshooting to achieve manufacturers requirements and optimized performance.
- Explain homeowner handover requirements and best practices.
Effective as of Fall 2023
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.