The Heat Pump Foundation Course provides a detailed understanding of the technical principles, design requirements and installation practices needed to deliver efficient domestic low-carbon heating systems. The package covers:

Low Temperature Heating & Hot Water Systems

• Principles of low temperature heating system operation and efficiency
• Domestic heat loss calculations and heat demand assessent
• Heat emitter selection and sizing for low temperature operation
• System design considerations for heat pumps and modern heating technologies
• Pipework sizing, pump selection and hydraulic balancing principles
• Domestic hot water system design and performance considerations
• Application of current standards, regulations and industry best practice

Air Source Heat Pump Installation & Maintenance

• Fundamentals of air source heat pump technology and system operation
• Heat pump components, system configurations and operation parameters
• Hydraulic circuit design and integration with existing heating systems
• Installation requirements, system setup and commissioning procedures
• Controls, temperature management and optimisation of system performance
• Servicing requirements, fault finding and diagnostic techniques
• Health and safety considerations when working with heat pump systems

Unvented Hot Water Systems (G3)

• Principles of unvented hot water system operation
• Components, safety devices and system controls
• Expansion methods and sizing requirements
• Discharge pipework requirements and installation standards
• Commissioning, servicing and maintenance procedures
• Fault diagnosis and rectification of common system issues
• Compliance with Building Regulation Approved Document G3

Water Regulations

• Requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
• Water contamination risks and back flow prevention methods
• Fluid categories and appropriate protection requirements
• Approved materials, fittings and installation practices
• Pipework design, sizing and installation considerations
• Notification requirements and installer responsibilities
• Ensuring compliance with current water industry standards

This package combines system design knowledge with practical installation requirements, providing engineers with the technical competence required to install, commission and maintain compliant, efficient domestic heat pump systems.

To ensure learners can successfully complete the Heat Pump Foundation Course, delegates should meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification in Plumbing or Heating, or be able to demonstrate equivalent industry experience in the installation and maintenance of domestic heating systems.
• Have a good working knowledge of domestic plumbing and heating systems.
• Be competent in carrying out plumbing and heating installation work within domestic properties.
• An initial assessment may be completed by the training provider to confirm that learners have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience to undertake the package.

Assessment is completed through a combination of online multiple-choice examinations and practical assessments. Learners will be assessed on their technical knowledge, practical competence and ability to work in accordance with current legislation and industry standards.

Successful completion of all assessments will lead to the achievement of the qualifications included within the Heat Pump Foundation Course