OFT21-504D - Design of heat pump systems

This course is for heat pump system designers. It covers a variety of areas including sizing of systems and selection of components, relevant legislation, ground source collector circuit design and sizing, open and closed loop systems, heating circuit design requirements, energy efficiency, pipework, heat emitters and low temperature hot water system design.

Qualification Code and Qualification Title

OFT21-504D - Design of heat pump systems.

Assessment Information

Assessment is via multiple choice theory papers and practically assessed worksheets (PAWS).

Pre-requisites

Applicants must hold a nationally recognised qualification and/or registration in a trade associated with heating and/or plumbing work or heat pump design work for a period of not less than two years.
Or
Must have ‘on the job’ heat pump design experience for a period of not less than two years.

Course contents

• Know the health and safety risks and safe systems of work associated with heat pump system installation work (non-refrigerant circuits).
• Know the health and safety risks of heat pump refrigerants.
• Know the requirements of relevant regulations/standards relating to practical installation, testing and commissioning activities for heat pump installation work (non-refrigerant circuits).
• Recognise and explain the types of low carbon central heating systems.
• Understand and consider appropriate factors, prior to the installation of low carbon central heating appliances.
• Understand the requirements of low carbon heating and hot water system installation.
• Know the fundamental principles of heat pump selection and system design that are common to all heat pumps.
• Know the handover procedures following the commissioning of heat pump systems.
• Understand and consider appropriate factors, prior to the installation of low carbon central heating appliances.
• Size and select heat pump systems and components.
• Size and select ground source ‘closed loop’ heat pump collector circuits and components.
• Know the layouts of ‘open loop’ water filled heat pump collector circuits.
• Know the layouts of ‘closed loop’ water filled heat pump collector circuits.
• Know the fundamental design considerations and principles that are specific to air source heat pumps.
• Know the fundamental design considerations and principles that are specific to ground source heat pumps.
• Know the fundamental principles for ground source heat pump collector circuit design and component sizing.
• Know the fundamental requirements for heat pump system design.

Expiry information

Re-assessment is required after five years.

Training Materials

OFTEC Heat Pump reference manual, MCS Domestic Heat Pumps - A Best Practice Guide, MCS MIS 3005-D, Approved Documents L1A, L1B, Domestic Heating Design Guide.

Design of Heat Pump Installations to MCS Installation Standard 3005-D.