Heat Pumps Today

CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai www.acrjournal.uk/heat-pumps 21 T R A I N I N G recommended in larger properties with multiple ‘zones’ to service – or where a combination of solutions with different flow rate requirements like radiators and underfloor heating is used. 3. Directing the heating load Three-way valves, such as the ESBE type, are key to ensuring the energy transfer from the heat pump is directed to either the heating system or the hot water cylinder, depending on where the heating load is needed. Misaligned ESBE values is one of the most common issues we come across – but it’s really easy to avoid. We’ve actually created a YouTube video on this as a reference tool for installers to use on the job. 4. Preventing the system from freezing Glycol is widely used to protect water circuits from freezing but there is an alternative. It’s up to the installer, but we promote the use of anti-freeze valves (AFVs) instead – they save the need to handle glycol and the associated loss of system efficiency. AFVs are preassembled and calibrated to drain water from the system when the water temperature reaches 3°C ± 1°C – a condition that should only occur during a power or pump failure. This system draining prevents the water freezing and the risk of subsequent mechanical damage. If the AFVs have been activated, all that’s required is a simple refilling after the power/pump failure has been rectified. Two AFVs are recommended at the lowest points on the outside flow and return water pipes. 5. A thorough handover The handover process at the end of the install is key to getting homeowners off on the right foot. Taking the time to go through the end user manuals with the customer will help to ensure they get the very best out of their new heat pump system from day one, and reduces the likelihood of repeat visits being needed. Foundation training and the accreditation debate The Heat Pump Association is launching a new, five-day air source and ground source heat pump foundation course that’s more closely aligned to industry requirements than what’s been on offer to date. And to facilitate the upskilling of installers in their thousands, third party providers like Daikin will be accredited to deliver the course all over the country. Heat pump technology is new to many installers in the heating industry, and with this in mind, the course covers the fundamentals of how a heat pump works, as well as the finer technical details of the installation. It also provides a detailed overview of how to select the right heat pump for a particular home – starting by carrying out a thorough heat loss calculation for the property, and understanding the household’s hot water demands to ensure their requirements can be met. The Government is looking at whether to make courses like this one mandatory for heat pump installers. On the one hand, accredited installers who bear a recognised hallmark of quality will give manufacturers confidence to share sales leads, and home- owners confidence to give the go ahead. But we must strike the right balance in ensuring that upskilling to work with heat pumps remains an attractive career path for installers, without too many hurdles that could become barriers to entry. The importance of product training As well as a solid grounding in heat pump theory and best practice, product-specific training is a good idea for installers looking to get every install right first time. We provide a three-level course format on our Daikin Altherma air source heat pumps – including our Monobloc, low temperature, high temperature, hybrid and water source heat pump ranges The first level Standard Installation course is ideal for anyone who’s only involved in basic installations. The second level Advanced Installation and Commissioning course covers the skills required for effective trouble shooting – valuable for those who are involved in a number of different types of installation. And best-suited to already-competent installers, the third level Service and Fault- Finding course covers all types of servicing tasks. It’s important to note though that advanced heat pump maintenance and fault finding requires F-Gas qualification, for the safe handling of refrigerants as well as hydraulics. Our training is delivered via live streaming modules online, and as full day courses at our training centres in Woking, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow– as well as at our partner Daikin Sustainable Homes Centres, which give us an even wider national footprint. The technology of today Heat pumps are no longer the technology of the future. They’re the technology of today. With no gas boilers being installed in new homes from 2025 – and incentives in place to ensure the country’s existing housing stock is upgraded to low carbon heating, too – the need for installers to train on alternatives is paramount. Those who are among the first to make the move can enjoy a competitive advantage while others catch up, as long as they can competently advise homeowners on the optimum solution for their home. This represents a once-in-a-career opportunity for installers not just to future- proof their businesses as their existing customers upgrade to cleaner, green options, but to grow and expand their customer base.