As part of the qualification you will undertake two knowledge units and two performance units, as detailed below:

Knowledge units:

1) The installation, commission and handover of air source heat pump systems (non-refrigerant circuits)

• Focusing on systems up to 45kW load and include air source, water source and ground source systems
• Health & safety risks and safe systems; relevant regulations and standards
• The purpose and operational characteristics of heat pump unit and heat pump system components
• Different types of heat pump units and system arrangements for hydraulic emitter circuits
• Principles of heat pump selection and system design that are common to both air and ground source heat pumps
• Fundamental design principles for ground source ‘closed loop’ heat pump collector circuit design, component sizing and installation
• Fundamental heat pump system design awareness and component selection
• Meets personnel competence requirments under The Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2008

(Please note, this unit does NOT cover activities involving the handling of fluorinated gases or work on refrigerant circuits.)

2) The requirements to inspect, service and maintain heat pump system installations (non-refrigerant circuits)

• Focusing on systems up to 45kW load and includes air source and ground source systems
• Typical routine service and maintenance requirements and inspections; installation checks, component servicing, functional tests and protection of systems
• Confirming work action sequences to diagnose faults; low pressure, trip alarms, circuit malfunctions, poor performance, insufficient heat output and hot water heat up issues
• Rectifying non-refrigerant circuit faults

(Please note: This unit does not cover aspects of heat pump service and maintenance work that involves handling fluorinated greenhouse gases or working on the heat pump refrigerant circuit.)

Performance units:

1) The installation, commission and handover heat pumps (non-refrigerant circuits)

• Occupational competence required to plan and prepare for, install (including testing and commissioning) and handover of heat pump system installations
• Focusing on systems up to 45kW load and includes air source and ground source systems

2) The inspection, service and maintain heat pump installations (non-refrigerant circuits)

• Occupational competence required to inspect, service and maintain air and ground source heat pump system installations and upon systems up to 45kW load

The College offers industry-standard equipment and dedicated simulated work areas for demonstrations, practical training, and assessment, which offers students a realistic working environment that reflects current commercial practices.

To achieve this qualification you will study a combination of knowledge and performance based units and will be assessed via:

• Knowledge units; you will complete two online tests that will be undertaken in exam conditions. One test will comprise of 50 questions, the second test will comprise of 20 questions.
• Performance units; you will complete the practical performance activities in simulated conditions.

The qualification is awarded upon successful completion of all required units and is graded on a pass or fail basis.

£395 (*Full funding may be available as part of UKSPF Green Skills Project for the cost of this course. This will be discussed with an Advisor upon submission of your application.)

*Eligibility criteria applies.

Where the learning outcomes include reference to heat pump refrigerant circuits and/or components, this is included to ensure that heat pump installers can recognise and differentiate between refrigerant and non-refrigerant circuits only.

These learning outcomes do not provide the underpinning knowledge required for assessment of occupational competence relating refrigeration or air–conditioning occupations.

In order to enrol on to this course you will be required to have the knowledge, skills and understanding of the building services engineering industry.

This is demonstrated by you meeting the below requirements and providing sufficient evidence of one or more of the following:

• An N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Plumbing or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.

OR ( any of the below)

 • N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Heating and Ventilating (Domestic Installation) or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.

 • N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Heating and Ventilating (Industrial and Commercial Installation) or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.

 • N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Oil-Fired Technical Services or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.

 N/SVQ Level 2/3 in Gas Installation and Maintenance or equivalent earlier certification that provides evidence of competence.

In addition:

If not included in the above certification:

• Water Regulations/water byelaws equivalent (WRAS or equivalent)
• Energy Efficiency for domestic Heating ( City & Guilds or equivalent)

Please Note: Standalone technical certification and/or vocational qualifications are not acceptable as an alternative to the NVQ Awards listed above.