Residential Air to Air Heat Pump Specialist

​The course provides residential HVAC designers and installers with the knowledge and skills to complete accurate heat loss and heat gain calculation using the CSA F280-12 standards in compliance with the BC Building Code for both new and existing Part 9 buildings. Students will develop an understanding of heat transfer through a building and the required inputs to accurately calculate the peak thermal loads. Students will engage in practical exercises by applying their knowledge of heat transfer to calculate heat loss and heat gain loads the room by room and the block load method. Practice exercises are completed using TECA’s heat loss & heat gain calculator. The impact of the fenestrations, wall construction, and ceiling assemblies will be analyzed to develop a greater intuitive sense of their impact on the design requirements. Through discussion, learners will gain an appreciation for how airtight and low-TEDI performance metrics of the BC Energy Step Code are changing building heating and cooling loads and some of the emerging considerations for design, system selection, managing comfort, and mitigating overheating risks. After successful completion of the course, students can register with the TECA as being Certified in Heat Loss / Heat Gain. Passing grade is 70%. Students must have a computer with a modern copy of Microsoft Excel™ 2010 (or newer) to run the TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain calculator which is required to complete learning activities. TECA provides a complimentary calculator license to students for the duration of the course. The course builds on the experience and theoretical knowledge of residential HVAC designers and contractors. Students should have some familiarity with interpreting building envelope specifications, architectural drawing details, or onsite assessment of existing buildings.
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course provides residential HVAC duct system designers and installers with the knowledge and skills to create quiet, and efficient forced air systems. Students will develop a fundamental understanding of fluid dynamics in low velocity forced air systems by analyzing the relationship between measurable performance properties which will inform good design practices and avoid common problems such as insufficient airflow and system effects. By applying the core concepts of air movement and the conservation of energy within a system, students will learn which duct fittings are more efficient and how their location can impact equipment performance. Through practice activities, students will learn how to measure duct system volume and pressures in buildings which can be used to calculate the airflow rates of the system to ensure performance of furnace or heat pump installations and identify problematic areas. From demonstrations and practice activities, students will gain knowledge of the relationships between pressure, pressure drop, volume, velocity and power and then apply these relationships to evaluating the performance of a duct system. Students will be able to compute the differences between total, static, and velocity pressure and describe their differences. The knowledge gained of how to incorporate these concepts efficiently into a duct system are required for proper design, installation, and analysis of forced air systems. Students will gain a solid understanding of duct components and design principles including fitting shape, the number of fittings, air filters, and coils. After successful completion of the course, students can register with the TECA as being Certified in Principles of Moving Air (POMA).
Prerequisite(s):

• No prerequisites are required for this course.

​This course teaches fundamental heat pump theory and develops the tools required to design, install, commission, and maintain a residential air to air heat pump system. Applying the knowledge gained from the pre-requisite courses, students will learn how to select appropriate models and styles of air to air heat pump equipment for residential applications. Students will develop the skills to make critical design decisions such as properly locating the equipment and controls, how to size auxiliary heat, develop simple control strategies, and proper techniques for installing system components. Students will apply these skills to the installation of HVAC equipment in new construction and retrofit applications. This course covers the theory required for a complete residential air to air heat pump installation in a safe and efficient way. This includes a discussion of refrigerant types, how to minimize the impact to the building envelope with penetrations, selection of system accessories, commissioning systems, and general maintenance to ensure reliable operation of the equipment. Then students will develop the skills to justify their design decisions and generate technical documents that verify their installations have been performed correctly and the system operates as intended. The course builds on the experience and theoretical knowledge of residential HVAC contractors, who are predominantly plumbers, gas fitters, refrigeration mechanics, and sheet metal workers. From mandatory prerequisite courses, students will already have knowledge and skills for heat loss and heat gain calculations, and forced-air systems. Prequisite:MZEB 1110, or Heat Loss & Heat Gain (TECA), or Residential Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculations (HRAI), MZEB 1120, or Principals of Moving Air (TECA), or Basic Principals of Residential Ventilation (HRAI)
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in MZEB 1110 and 70% in MZEB 1120

​This course builds upon fundamental heat pump theory and develops the understanding and applied skills to design, and plan for install, commission, and maintain a residential air to air heat pump system in existing homes. Applying the knowledge and skills developed in MZEB 2110 (Residential Air to Air Heat Pump System Design), students will learn how to assess existing homes and design a retrofit solution that will optimize performance within the a wide range of constraints experienced with existing homes. Through case study and applied examples, students will build understanding and skills to review existing homes and corresponding reports and load calculations, and provide air source heat pump design solutions. Through practical examples, course will address the unique design and installation considerations and challenges for heat pump retrofits demonstrating improved and best practices in design and installation. Topics covered include: electrical panel capacity, coordination of retrofit measures, F280-12 load calculations and equipment zoning, adapted system configurations, ductwork modifications, managing condensate drains, controls optimization, supplementary heating, ventilation systems, etc.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in MZEB 2110

​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 forced air 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.
Prerequisite(s):

• 70% in MZEB 2110