In the Clean Growth Strategy, the Government have a target of 600,000 heat pumps to be fitted annually in the UK by 2028. This is part of a 10-point plan to help the UK go Carbon NetZero by 2050. Those currently installing heating in domestic property are the target workforce to help meet those targets, and with gas prices rising rapidly, consumers are becoming more switched on to alternative ways of heating their homes. Gas Engineers will increasingly face enquiries from customers looking for ways of reducing heating bills and making their homes more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The modules are detailed below, and allow installers to gain additional qualifications and certifications (where they do not already hold them) which may be useful in other areas of their work, such as the NICEIC ETFG certificate (Electrical Testing for Gas Engineers) which can be used to prove competence of safe isolation, which will be a pre-requisite for ACS entry in the future.
Who is eligible for this course?
In order to take the bootcamp, learners must have held an ACS qualification in CCN1 & CENWAT for at least 3 years or a plumber with 3 years experience or a level 2 diploma.
Course Overview
The course is run over 8 days (which must be completed over 16 weeks) and consists of the following modules:
Energy Efficiency for Gas fired and Oil Fired Domestic Heating and Hot Water Systems & Water Regulations
Duration: 1 day
These qualifications are pre-requisite for the heat pump qualification. Where installers already hold these, refresher training will be provided. Where installers do not hold one or both qualifications, the exams will be taken during the programme. The Energy Efficiency qualification is designed to enable learners to understand and be competent when carrying out the design of heating systems in accordance with Part L of the Building Regulations. The Water Regulations certificate covers the Water Regulations (1999) and is a necessary requirement for qualified plumbers (minimum Level 2) looking to join their local water authorities Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme, one of the plumbing competent person schemes (CPS) and Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registration bodies.
Low-temperature heating and hot water in Dwellings
Duration: 2 days
A certificated qualification, This qualification has been designed with the CIPHE and the Heat Pump Association with the help of their members to meet the need for now and in the future that all heating systems be designed with a low-temperature aim from the outset to maximize the efficiency of the system. The objective of this qualification is for learners to be up-skilled in the concept of low-temperature heating systems, it will allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and understand the need and requirements for installing low-temperature heating and hot water systems in dwellings.
Electrical Testing & Fault Finding for Gas Engineers inc. Smart Controls
Duration: 2 days
This module gives an overview of:
- Basic electrical knowledge,
- How appliance control systems work, including smart controls,
- Health & safety and safe isolation,
- Fault finding and component exchange.
Learners will be issued with the NICEIC ETFG (Electrical Testing and Fault Finding for Gas Engineers) certificate, which can be used for proving competence in Safe Isolation when this soon becomes a pre-requisite for ACS renewals.
Installation and Maintenance of Air-Source Heat Pump Systems
Duration: 3 days
This Level 3 qualification meets the requirements for MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) entry, and covers the following:
- The principle of the vapour compression system and system components.
- The different operational characteristics of each type of heat pump unit and system arrangement.
- The fundamental principles of heat pump efficiency and design selection that are common for heat pumps.
- The fundamental principles of domestic hot water cylinder selection and system design that are common for heat pumps.
- The fundamental principles of hydraulic system design that are common for heat pumps.
- The fundamental principles of heat pump controls.
- Plan and prepare for the installation of heat pumps.
- The requirements to install and test heat pump systems.
- The requirements to commission heat pump system installations.
- The requirements to handover heat pump system installations.
- The requirements for the handover of a heat pump installation
- The requirements for routine service and maintenance of a heat pump system installation.
- Fault diagnosis work on a heat pump system installation.
Air Source Unit
- The preparatory work is required for the installation of an air source heat pump.
- The common requirements for the installation of an air source heat pump connected to hydraulic emitter circuits.
- Install heat pump units (non-refrigeration units).
- Test and commission an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).The routine service and maintenance of an air source heat pump system (non-refrigerant circuits).
Please note, calculation of building load and heating system design is not covered in any great depth in this qualification, and most manufacturers and some plumbers merchants selling heat pumps offer a design service
Whilst each individual module is run on consecutive days, the full 8 days will be delivered within a maximum of 16 weeks, which is a requirement of the funding.
How much will it cost and how is it funded?
The overall cost to the employer is £150+VAT (10% contribution) if you are a Small to Medium sized company with 0-49 employees or for employers with 50 or more employees £450+VAT o (30% contribution) dependant on locality. The balance is funded by the Department of Education.
