Heat Pump Technician Training

Lesson 1 • Coefficient of Performance and Efficiency Ratings

Explains COP, HSPF, and SEER metrics and how they are calculated. Enables technicians to evaluate system efficiency and communicate performance to customers.

Lesson 2 • Heat Pump Types and Applications

Distinguishes air-source, ground-source, and water-source systems by operating principle. Prepares technicians to match system type to installation context.

Lesson 3 • Heat Pump System Components

Identifies compressors, heat exchangers, expansion devices, and reversing valves. Provides component-level vocabulary needed for diagnosis and repair tasks.

Lesson 4 • Thermodynamic Principles for Technicians

Covers heat, temperature, pressure, and energy transfer concepts essential to refrigeration cycles. Establishes the physics framework used throughout the entire course.

Lesson 1 • Refrigerant Properties and Classifications

Covers refrigerant numbering, safety groups, GWP, and ODP values. Provides the chemical and environmental context required for responsible refrigerant selection.

Lesson 2 • Leak Detection and Refrigerant Safety

Introduces electronic, UV dye, and bubble detection methods alongside personal protective practices. Leak detection skills reduce refrigerant loss and protect technician health.

Lesson 3 • Recovery, Recycling, and Reclamation

Teaches proper use of recovery machines and cylinders and distinguishes recovery from reclamation. Prevents illegal venting and ensures refrigerant is handled responsibly.

Lesson 4 • Refrigerant Charging Techniques

Covers weighing-in, subcooling, and superheat charging methods for accurate system charging. Correct charging directly impacts efficiency and equipment longevity.

Lesson 1 • Electrical Fundamentals Review

Reviews voltage, current, resistance, and power calculations using Ohm's Law. Establishes the electrical baseline required for all heat pump control work.

Lesson 2 • Reading Heat Pump Wiring Diagrams

Teaches schematic, ladder, and pictorial diagram interpretation for heat pump systems. Diagram literacy is the foundation of systematic electrical troubleshooting.

Lesson 3 • Using Electrical Test Instruments

Covers multimeter, clamp meter, and megohmmeter use for heat pump electrical diagnostics. Proper instrument use ensures accurate readings and technician safety.

Lesson 4 • Motors, Contactors, and Capacitors

Explains motor types, contactor operation, and capacitor roles in starting and running circuits. These components are among the most frequently replaced in heat pump service.

Lesson 1 • System Startup and Commissioning

Guides technicians through evacuation, leak testing, initial charge verification, and startup checks. Commissioning confirms the installation meets manufacturer and performance standards.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Line Set Installation

Teaches copper line sizing, bending, flaring, brazing, and insulation techniques. Proper line set installation prevents refrigerant leaks and pressure drop losses.

Lesson 3 • Outdoor and Indoor Unit Mounting

Covers pad, wall-bracket, and rooftop mounting methods for outdoor units and air handler placement. Secure mounting prevents vibration damage and ensures safe operation.

Lesson 4 • Electrical Connections and Wiring

Covers disconnect installation, wire sizing, grounding, and low-voltage thermostat wiring. Correct electrical connections are mandatory for safety and warranty compliance.

Lesson 1 • Refrigerant System Checks

Teaches superheat, subcooling, and operating pressure verification during maintenance visits. Refrigerant system checks catch slow leaks and charge drift before failures occur.

Lesson 2 • Electrical and Controls Inspection

Covers capacitor testing, contactor inspection, thermostat calibration, and defrost cycle verification. Electrical inspections prevent the most common heat pump service failures.

Lesson 3 • Maintenance Planning and Scheduling

Covers seasonal maintenance timing, service agreement structures, and maintenance checklists. Planned maintenance reduces emergency calls and extends equipment service life.

Lesson 4 • Outdoor Unit Maintenance

Details coil cleaning, fin straightening, fan blade inspection, and electrical connection checks. Outdoor unit condition directly affects heat transfer efficiency and compressor health.

Lesson 1 • Diagnosing Airflow and Mechanical Faults

Covers static pressure testing, blower performance checks, and reversing valve diagnosis. Airflow and mechanical faults often mimic refrigerant problems and require distinct methods.

Lesson 2 • Systematic Troubleshooting Framework

Introduces symptom-based, cause-and-effect, and split-system diagnostic approaches. A consistent framework prevents random part replacement and improves first-call resolution.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting Pressure and Temperature Data

Teaches use of pressure-temperature charts, superheat tables, and subcooling targets for diagnosis. Accurate data interpretation distinguishes refrigerant faults from airflow or mechanical issues.

Lesson 4 • Diagnosing Electrical and Control Faults

Applies wiring diagram tracing and component testing to locate electrical failures. Electrical faults account for a large share of no-heat and no-cool service calls.

Lesson 1 • Geothermal Ground-Source Systems

Addresses loop field types, antifreeze solutions, and ground-source-specific commissioning. Geothermal systems offer high efficiency but require specialized installation knowledge.

Lesson 2 • Heat Pump Water Heaters

Covers heat pump water heater operation modes, installation requirements, and fault diagnosis. Water heating applications expand the technician's service scope and revenue potential.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Zone Ductless Systems

Covers multi-split architecture, refrigerant distribution, and zone control logic. Multi-zone systems are increasingly common in residential and light commercial retrofits.

Lesson 4 • Cold-Climate Heat Pump Operation

Examines low-ambient performance, enhanced vapor injection, and defrost strategy optimization. Cold-climate models extend heat pump viability in regions with severe winters.

Lesson 1 • Customer Communication and Education

Teaches explaining diagnoses, presenting repair options, and educating customers on maintenance. Strong communication builds trust and increases service agreement conversion rates.

Lesson 2 • Safety Compliance on the Job Site

Covers lockout/tagout, electrical safety, confined space awareness, and ladder safety. Consistent safety compliance protects technicians and reduces employer liability.

Lesson 3 • Parts Procurement and Warranty Management

Addresses OEM vs. aftermarket parts decisions, supplier relationships, and warranty claim processes. Efficient parts management reduces truck stock costs and callback rates.

Lesson 4 • Continuous Learning and Certification

Outlines industry certifications, manufacturer training programs, and self-directed learning strategies. Ongoing education keeps technicians current with evolving refrigerants and technologies.