Lesson 1Pre-installation checklist: documentation, tools, manufacturer manuals, PPE, and pre-job safety briefingThis section walks through pre-job planning, including reviewing drawings and manuals, verifying permits, assembling tools and materials, inspecting PPE, and conducting a structured safety and scope briefing with all crew members.
Review load calculations and equipment dataConfirm permits, codes, and inspection needsVerify tools, instruments, and consumablesCheck PPE condition and jobsite accessConduct pre-job safety and task briefingLesson 2System integration and controls wiring: thermostat types, communication wiring, zoning considerations, and heat pump mode configurationThis section covers integrating the heat pump with thermostats, zoning panels, and air handlers, including low-voltage wiring, communication buses, control power, and correct configuration of heating, cooling, and auxiliary heat modes.
Thermostat selection and compatibility checksLow-voltage wiring diagrams and labelingCommunicating controls and bus topologiesZoning panel setup and damper controlHeat pump mode, staging, and lockout setupLesson 3Refrigerant procedures: evacuation steps, vacuum hold test, leak testing methods (nitrogen pressure, electronic detectors), and charging per manufacturer superheat/subcool targetsThis section explains proper evacuation, including deep vacuum targets, vacuum hold tests, nitrogen sweeps, leak detection methods, and charging procedures that follow manufacturer superheat or subcooling specifications and ambient conditions.
Manifold, hoses, and core removal setupDeep vacuum targets and decay testingNitrogen pressure testing and safetyElectronic and bubble leak detectionCharging by weight, superheat, or subcoolLesson 4Line set fabrication and routing: choosing tubing size, brazing technique, leak prevention, vacuuming protocols, and insulation selectionThis section details selecting proper line set size and material, routing to avoid damage and noise, brazing and nitrogen purging, pressure integrity, evacuation preparation, and insulation methods to prevent sweating and capacity loss.
Sizing suction and liquid lines from chartsPlanning routes, supports, and wall penetrationsBrazing joints with nitrogen purgeProtecting valves and components from heatInsulating and securing line sets correctlyLesson 5Indoor unit and air handler installation: mounting, service clearances, filter access, condensate pan and drain routingThis section focuses on mounting indoor units or air handlers, ensuring service clearances, aligning supply and return connections, installing and sealing condensate pans and drains, and providing accessible, sealed filter arrangements.
Mounting methods and structural supportService clearances and access panelsDuct connections and sealing practicesCondensate pan slope and trap designCondensate drain routing and freeze protectionLesson 6Outdoor unit installation: site layout, pad placement, levelling, anchoring, required clearances, and airflow considerationsThis section explains how to select and prepare the outdoor location, install and secure the pad, level and anchor the unit, and maintain proper clearances and airflow paths to ensure quiet, efficient, and serviceable operation.
Assess site, setbacks, and noise constraintsPad selection, placement, and anchoring methodsLeveling techniques and vibration isolationClearance requirements and airflow pathwaysSnow, ice, and debris protection strategiesLesson 7Start-up sequence and commissioning: airflow measurement, static pressure, temperature split checks, refrigerant pressures and temperatures, defrost verification, and safety interlocks testingThis section covers the first startup sequence, including verifying airflow and static pressure, checking temperature split, recording refrigerant pressures and temperatures, confirming defrost operation, and testing all safety interlocks.
Pre-start inspections and power checksAirflow measurement and static pressureTemperature split and capacity indicatorsRefrigerant pressures and line temperaturesDefrost, safeties, and documentationLesson 8Electrical installation: disconnect installation, breaker and conductor sizing per NEC, control wiring, grounding, surge protection, and conduit useThis section details line-voltage and control power installation, including breaker and conductor sizing to NEC, disconnect placement, grounding and bonding, surge protection, and proper use of conduit, fittings, and labelling.
Breaker and conductor sizing per NECOutdoor and indoor disconnect placementEquipment grounding and bonding pathsSurge protection device selectionConduit types, routing, and terminations
