MODULE 2. Heat Pump Market Developments
February 9, 2026
MODULE 7. Retrofitting with Heat Pumps
February 9, 2026
This module provides a complete, practice-led pathway from first assessment of a site through to long-term, safe operation of heat-pump systems. It is written for technicians who install, commission and maintain real equipment in real buildings. The emphasis is on actionable procedures, measurable acceptance criteria, and evidence-based decision-making rather than theory. Across the course, learners will progress from selecting the appropriate system for a given application, to executing high-quality installations, to commissioning with verifiable performance, and finally to running effective preventive and corrective maintenance programmes that protect efficiency, reliability, and warranty.
Early topics establish a practical classification of heat pumps by source and sink, common configurations (compact vs split), and typical applications in space heating, cooling and DHW. Learners will understand how site constraints, climate, noise, hydraulics and controls drive selection. The pre-installation block develops disciplined workflows for surveys, access and logistics planning, environmental assessment (noise, airflow, condensate management), and the documentation needed to translate design intent into a safe, buildable plan.
The installation block covers indoor and outdoor units in depth: positioning, fixing, levelling and vibration isolation; clearances, ventilation and orientation; unit-specific practices for wall-mounted, cassette and floorstanding formats; and design for maintainability (filter access, drainage, inspection points). Refrigerant piping is treated as a critical craft skill: pipe selection and preparation, sizing and pressure ratings with reference to standards (e.g., EN 378/PED context), routing and support, brazing and flaring techniques, nitrogen pressurisation and leak testing, and the associated records and safety controls. Hydraulic integration addresses connections to radiators, underfloor heating and fan coils; DHW arrangements; auxiliary components (pumps, valves, expansion vessels); system filling, air removal and flow verification; and hydraulic testing with clear pass/fail thresholds. Electrical and control topics equip learners to size conductors and protections, implement earthing/bonding and surge protection, and wire controllers, sensors and thermostats—alongside good practice for signal types, buses (e.g., Modbus/BACnet), and zoning/interlocks.
A dedicated section on tools and measurement builds competence with refrigeration service manifolds and hoses, vacuum pumps and micron gauges, charging scales, DMMs and clamp meters, thermometry, basic IR use, OEM service software, field buses and data capture for trending. Calibration and care of instruments are embedded so that measurements remain trustworthy throughout the system’s life.
Commissioning is presented as a structured sequence: final pre-energisation checks, evacuation and charging where applicable, initial controller parameterisation (weather compensation, DHW, hydraulics and zoning), and live functional testing in heating, DHW, cooling and defrost. Learners will produce commissioning evidence—temperatures, pressures, electrical inputs, flows and derived KPIs—suitable for handover and future audits.
The maintenance block turns commissioning data into a living baseline for performance assurance. It defines periodic inspections and KPI bands, cleaning methods for coils and components, mechanical integrity checks (insulation, supports, noise/vibration), rapid fault-diagnosis paths for common failures, and component replacement with focused re-commissioning. Standardised reporting, “as-maintained” files and client communication complete the professional cycle.
Safety is woven throughout and consolidated in the final chapter: hazard identification (electrical, pressure and chemical), safe isolation and LOTO, task-matched PPE, COSHH protocols and Hot Works permits, and clear emergency response procedures for electric shock, refrigerant release, chemical splash and fire.
By the end of the module, learners will be able to plan and execute compliant installations; apply repeatable methods for refrigerant, hydraulic and electrical works; commission systems with traceable evidence; diagnose and rectify faults efficiently; and maintain plant safely over its life. They will leave with checklists, templates and test criteria they can use on site the next day—confident not only in how to do the work, but in how to prove it has been done correctly and safely.This module provides a complete, practice-led pathway from first assessment of a site through to long-term, safe operation of heat-pump systems. It is written for technicians who install, commission and maintain real equipment in real buildings. The emphasis is on actionable procedures, measurable acceptance criteria, and evidence-based decision-making rather than theory. Across the course, learners will progress from selecting the appropriate system for a given application, to executing high-quality installations, to commissioning with verifiable performance, and finally to running effective preventive and corrective maintenance programmes that protect efficiency, reliability, and warranty.
Early topics establish a practical classification of heat pumps by source and sink, common configurations (compact vs split), and typical applications in space heating, cooling and DHW. Learners will understand how site constraints, climate, noise, hydraulics and controls drive selection. The pre-installation block develops disciplined workflows for surveys, access and logistics planning, environmental assessment (noise, airflow, condensate management), and the documentation needed to translate design intent into a safe, buildable plan.
The installation block covers indoor and outdoor units in depth: positioning, fixing, levelling and vibration isolation; clearances, ventilation and orientation; unit-specific practices for wall-mounted, cassette and floorstanding formats; and design for maintainability (filter access, drainage, inspection points). Refrigerant piping is treated as a critical craft skill: pipe selection and preparation, sizing and pressure ratings with reference to standards (e.g., EN 378/PED context), routing and support, brazing and flaring techniques, nitrogen pressurisation and leak testing, and the associated records and safety controls. Hydraulic integration addresses connections to radiators, underfloor heating and fan coils; DHW arrangements; auxiliary components (pumps, valves, expansion vessels); system filling, air removal and flow verification; and hydraulic testing with clear pass/fail thresholds. Electrical and control topics equip learners to size conductors and protections, implement earthing/bonding and surge protection, and wire controllers, sensors and thermostats—alongside good practice for signal types, buses (e.g., Modbus/BACnet), and zoning/interlocks.
A dedicated section on tools and measurement builds competence with refrigeration service manifolds and hoses, vacuum pumps and micron gauges, charging scales, DMMs and clamp meters, thermometry, basic IR use, OEM service software, field buses and data capture for trending. Calibration and care of instruments are embedded so that measurements remain trustworthy throughout the system’s life.
Commissioning is presented as a structured sequence: final pre-energisation checks, evacuation and charging where applicable, initial controller parameterisation (weather compensation, DHW, hydraulics and zoning), and live functional testing in heating, DHW, cooling and defrost. Learners will produce commissioning evidence—temperatures, pressures, electrical inputs, flows and derived KPIs—suitable for handover and future audits.
The maintenance block turns commissioning data into a living baseline for performance assurance. It defines periodic inspections and KPI bands, cleaning methods for coils and components, mechanical integrity checks (insulation, supports, noise/vibration), rapid fault-diagnosis paths for common failures, and component replacement with focused re-commissioning. Standardised reporting, “as-maintained” files and client communication complete the professional cycle.
Safety is woven throughout and consolidated in the final chapter: hazard identification (electrical, pressure and chemical), safe isolation and LOTO, task-matched PPE, COSHH protocols and Hot Works permits, and clear emergency response procedures for electric shock, refrigerant release, chemical splash and fire.
By the end of the module, learners will be able to plan and execute compliant installations; apply repeatable methods for refrigerant, hydraulic and electrical works; commission systems with traceable evidence; diagnose and rectify faults efficiently; and maintain plant safely over its life. They will leave with checklists, templates and test criteria they can use on site the next day—confident not only in how to do the work, but in how to prove it has been done correctly and safely.
