At Lincolnshire Gas Training Scunthorpe, we are now running Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) training & assessments.

An Air Source Heat Pump is an alternative (low carbon) appliance used to heat a home, as opposed to using a traditional Gas Boiler or Oil-Fired Appliance. An ASHP will enable your customers to generate their own renewable energy by drawing heat from the ambient air, and potentially saving themselves money on their energy bills due to the high CoP (Coefficient of Performance) an ASHP produces.

Heat pumps deliver heat at lower temperatures than Gas and Oil Boilers as they are purpose designed to run with lower flow temperatures. These lower but consistent temperatures can still be as high as 60˚c however, so hot water systems can still be satisfied and homes can still be heated. An ASHP works in a similar way to how a refrigerator does, which extracts heat from inside the refrigerator and delivers it to the surrounding room from the coil at the back.

A heat pump is used to upgrade heat energy from a low temperature level (the outside air for example) to a higher temperature level and therefore is commonly known as a heat pump. The heat generated is transferred into the water that heats the space within a home.

During your training we will discuss system design, suitability, controls and safety devices, and cover a range of other relevant information such as those in the information below:

OFT21-504A – Installation, commissioning and servicing of Air Source Heat Pumps.
This course is for technicians who wish to install, commission and service Air Source Heat Pumps (non-refrigerant system). The course covers a variety of areas including health and safety, regional legislation and requirements, safe electrical isolation, factors to be considered before and during installation, filling and flushing requirements, appliance installation, soundness tests, operational checks and procedures, fault finding identifying unsafe situations, and practical servicing and commissioning.

Assessment Information
Assessment is via multiple choice theory papers, practically assessed worksheets (PAWS), and practical hands-on assessment.

Pre-requisites

• Applicants must hold a nationally recognised qualification and/or registration in a trade associated with heating and/or plumbing work for a period of not less than two years.

or

• Must have ‘on the job’ heating installation and/or maintenance experience for a period of not less than two years.
  And
  Hold current and valid Water Regulations certificate.
  Hold current and valid Unvented Hot Water certificate.

Course contents

• Know the health and safety risks and safe systems of work associated with heat pump system installation work (non-refrigerant circuits)
• Know the health and safety risks of heat pump refrigerants
• Know the requirements of relevant regulations/standards relating to practical installation, testing and commissioning activities for heat pump installation work (non-refrigerant circuits)
• Recognise and explain the types of low carbon central heating systems.
• Understand and consider appropriate factors, prior to the installation of low carbon central heating appliances.
• Understand the requirements of low carbon heating and hot water system installation.
• Know the fundamental principles of heat pump selection and system design that are common to all heat pumps
• Know the handover procedures following the commissioning of heat pump systems
• Understand and consider appropriate factors, prior to the installation of low carbon central heating appliances.
• Install low carbon heating and hot water systems.
• Commission heat pump equipment, components and systems
• Understand and apply a soundness test to industry requirements on system pipework and components
• Understand and apply flushing requirements including the use of system additives for new and existing systems.
• Understand and apply operational checks required during commissioning.
• Understand and apply commissioning and handover procedures for heat pump systems.
• Undertake the non-refrigerant circuit routine service and maintenance of an air source heat pump system installation

Re-assessment is required after five years

Training Materials
OFTEC Heat Pump reference manual, MCS Domestic Heat Pumps – A Best Practice Guide, MCS MIS 3005-I, MCS MIS 3005-D, Approved Documents L1A, L1B, Domestic Heating Design Guide
Installation of Air Source Heat Pumps to MCS Installation Standard 3005-I

Please note it is mandatory for applicants to hold current certification in Water Regulations and Unvented Hot Water Systems. These can be renewed with us if they have expired. If you would like any further information on our ASHP course or would like to book a place, please contact us using our online contact us form, or call the office to speak to one of the team.