With increased interest from both the Government and the consumer in “going green” and finding more efficient uses of energy to keep bills down, one of the more topical currently doing the rounds is air and ground source heat pumps, and a rise in air source heat pump training.
Both Ground and Air source heat pumps, which can be installed under the Green Homes Grant scheme, are more widely associated with new build property, but they can be incorporated into existing buildings or added as part of an extension.
Though they sound complex, it is surprising that they utilise the same kind of technology as regular household items such as fridges or freezers.
Main Considerations
Air Source Heat Pumps are by far the most popular of the two, being more suitable for use in normal domestic property than Ground Source, which requires a large area such as a field or body of water to lay a ground loop or a borehole. These tend to be installed more frequently in rural properties, which have a larger plot size.
By having a heat pump, homeowners are able to use electrical energy in a more highly efficient way and produce heat for the home. This also greatly reduces CO2 emissions and running costs on heating the home.
This, along with the advent of solar and smart meter technology, provides a smarter way for homeowners to save on bills and electrical output, whilst reducing their carbon footprint.
Up to 70% Funding available for Heat Pump Training
As with all work of this type, the installation of heat pumps is required to be undertaken by a competent person. Our Heat Pump Training courses (BPEC Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Heat Pump Systems (Non-Refrigerant Circuits)) are recognised by the MCS schemes. ECTA can provide support and information on becoming an MCS accredited business, and access to our partners at Easy MCS and NICEIC to further assist you in this process. Pre-requisite qualifications such as Water Regulations and Energy Efficiency are also eligible for funding when taken as part of the Heat Pump training.
We also have funding available for the cost of MCS accreditation. All training must be completed before 14th May 2021 to qualify. These courses are aimed at qualified gas engineers, air conditioning engineers and plumbers. If you are interested in getting qualified to install heat pumps but don’t currently hold any of these qualifications, look at one of our Gas Engineering Apprenticeships or contact us to find out more about Gas training courses.
As these new advances in greener renewable energy sources become more commonplace, they are not a simple plug and play option within the home, so having a professional is required to successfully install them. This gives more opportunities for skilled tradespeople with every home sure to be turning to more efficient energy usage throughout 2021 and beyond.
For more information on gas training courses and air source heat pump training, contact the team at ECTA today.