Heating Systems Installation Training

Lesson 1 • Heating System Categories Overview

Surveys forced-air, hydronic, radiant, and electric heating systems. Provides context for choosing the right system type in later chapters.

Lesson 2 • Core Components and Terminology

Introduces boilers, furnaces, heat exchangers, thermostats, and distribution components. Accurate terminology is essential for reading specs and communicating on job sites.

Lesson 3 • Safety Culture and Hazard Awareness

Establishes personal protective equipment use, hazard recognition, and emergency response basics. Safety habits introduced here are reinforced throughout every subsequent chapter.

Lesson 4 • Energy Sources for Heating

Examines natural gas, propane, oil, electricity, and renewable sources used in heating. Understanding fuel properties informs safe handling and equipment selection.

Lesson 1 • Regulatory and Code Compliance Basics

Introduces mechanical, fuel gas, and energy efficiency codes that govern heating installations. Compliance prevents failed inspections and liability on every project.

Lesson 2 • Hand and Power Tools for Installation

Covers pipe wrenches, tubing cutters, drills, and reciprocating saws used daily on heating jobs. Proper tool selection reduces rework and prevents injury.

Lesson 3 • Piping and Duct Materials

Examines copper, steel, PEX, CPVC, and sheet metal used in heating distribution systems. Material properties determine joining methods and pressure ratings.

Lesson 4 • Joining and Fastening Methods

Teaches soldering, brazing, press-fit, threaded, and mechanical joining techniques. Each method is matched to the material and pressure requirements of the application.

Lesson 1 • Combustion Air Requirements

Explains confined space, unconfined space, and direct-vent combustion air strategies. Adequate combustion air prevents incomplete combustion and carbon monoxide production.

Lesson 2 • Gas Pipe Installation Techniques

Teaches threading, fitting, and pressure-testing steel and CSST gas piping. Leak-free joints and proper support are critical safety outcomes of this section.

Lesson 3 • Gas Appliance Connection and Startup

Demonstrates connecting furnaces and boilers to gas supply, performing operational checks, and verifying combustion. Safe startup procedures protect equipment and occupants.

Lesson 4 • Venting and Flue Gas Removal

Covers Type B, Type L, and PVC venting systems for atmospheric and condensing appliances. Proper venting prevents flue gas spillage and appliance backdrafting.

Lesson 1 • Furnace Selection and Placement

Covers efficiency ratings, capacity sizing, and equipment location requirements for furnaces. Correct placement affects airflow, venting, and serviceability throughout the system's life.

Lesson 2 • Ductwork Design and Fabrication

Teaches supply and return duct layout, sizing, and sheet metal fabrication for forced-air systems. Balanced duct design is the foundation of comfort and efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Furnace Commissioning and Testing

Guides students through startup, temperature rise measurement, and safety control verification. Commissioning confirms the installation meets design intent before occupant handover.

Lesson 4 • Air Handler and Blower Installation

Covers mounting the air handler, connecting the blower assembly, and setting airflow. Proper blower setup ensures rated heating capacity and indoor air quality.

Lesson 1 • Pumps, Valves, and System Components

Covers circulator pump selection, zone valves, balancing valves, and air separators. Each component maintains flow, pressure, and air-free operation.

Lesson 2 • Boiler Controls and Startup

Covers aquastat, outdoor reset, and zone control wiring, followed by system fill and startup. Verified controls ensure safe, efficient boiler operation from day one.

Lesson 3 • Hydronic Piping Layout and Installation

Teaches series loop, one-pipe, two-pipe, and primary-secondary piping configurations. Piping layout determines flow balance and zone control capability.

Lesson 4 • Expansion Tank and Pressure Relief

Explains closed-system expansion, tank sizing, and pressure relief valve installation. Correct expansion control prevents system damage and safety hazards.

Lesson 1 • Radiant System Controls and Commissioning

Covers mixing valve control, floor sensor wiring, and zone sequencing for radiant systems. Commissioning verifies design temperatures and occupant comfort targets are met.

Lesson 2 • Radiant Floor Heating Design

Covers heat loss calculations, tube spacing, and manifold layout for hydronic radiant floors. Design accuracy directly determines comfort and energy performance.

Lesson 3 • Electric Radiant and Resistance Heating

Explains electric mat, cable, and infrared panel installation for supplemental and primary heating. Electrical load calculations and circuit protection are emphasized throughout.

Lesson 4 • Radiant Panel and Baseboard Systems

Covers hydronic baseboard, fan-coil units, and radiant wall and ceiling panel installation. Panel systems complement radiant floors in multi-zone hydronic designs.

Lesson 1 • Refrigerant Handling and Charging

Teaches EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery, evacuation, and charging procedures for heat pumps. Proper refrigerant handling is legally required and critical to system performance.

Lesson 2 • Heat Pump Controls and Commissioning

Covers thermostat staging, auxiliary heat lockout, and defrost board settings for heat pumps. Commissioning confirms heating and cooling capacities meet design load requirements.

Lesson 3 • Heat Pump Operating Principles

Explains refrigeration cycle, coefficient of performance, and heating/cooling mode switching. Understanding the refrigeration cycle is prerequisite to all heat pump installation tasks.

Lesson 4 • Ground-Source Heat Pump Systems

Explains horizontal, vertical, and pond loop ground heat exchanger installation and fluid filling. Ground loops provide stable efficiency gains over air-source systems in extreme climates.

Lesson 1 • Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Integration

Covers ERV, HRV, and dedicated outdoor air system integration with heating equipment. Ventilation integration is required by energy codes and supports occupant health.

Lesson 2 • Building Automation and Smart Controls

Introduces programmable thermostats, smart home integration, and BACnet-compatible control systems. Modern controls reduce energy use and enable remote diagnostics.

Lesson 3 • Handover, Documentation, and Owner Training

Covers as-built drawing preparation, warranty registration, and owner operation training. Proper handover reduces callbacks and establishes professional credibility.

Lesson 4 • Zoning System Design and Installation

Covers zone damper, zone valve, and multi-zone panel design for forced-air and hydronic systems. Zoning maximizes comfort and efficiency by matching output to occupancy patterns.