GeoExchange (Ground Source Heat Pump) IGSHPA Certification School
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SOUND
GEOTHERMAL, CORPORATION
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GeoExchange (Ground Source Heat Pump) IGSHPA Certification School
|
SOUND
GEOTHERMAL, CORPORATION
|
To: |
Ground source dealers and installers, utility personnel, drillers/loop installers, architects, mechanical engineers & other professionals |
Re: |
GeoExchange (ground source heat pump) IGSHPA certification school |
Sound Geothermal will host a three-day GeoExchange installer certification course with Colorado Springs Utilities and Pike’s Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 1-3, 1998. This course will provide the required manuals, instruction and examination for installer certification by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. Certification is necessary for installers who need to validate or extend certain manufacturer's warranties and meet incentive requirements offered by various utilities. Pipe fusion accreditation will also be provided for both butt and socket fusion techniques.
We will be holding this course at facilities provided by Pike’s Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. The standard IGSHPA syllabus will be followed, and is not product specific. Additional information will be provided for the harsh climate conditions, inconsistent geologic environment and other variables of the Rocky Mountain region, and how to address these impacts for competent, economic GeoExchange installations. Closed loop design requirements for both residential and commercial applications will be reviewed.
Who Should Attend
Heating / Cooling Contractors – This course brings together the non-traditional aspects of GeoExchange such as the requirements for a competent ground heat exchanger, what to consider when laying out an installation, minimum standards, quality control checks, trouble shooting, pipe fusion, etc. Upon successful completion of the examination the student is certified by IGSHPA as a GeoExchange installer and may validate various manufacturers’ warranties.
Drilling and Excavation Contractors – By understanding the requirements of a GeoExchange system, and acquiring IGSHPA certification, drilling and excavation trades are exposed to a completely new market for their services.
Architects, Professional Engineers – GeoExchange system installation, installation cost and operation can be optimized when the structure and internal mechanical system of a building is designed with a GeoExchange system in mind. The IGSHPA curriculum as presented by Sound Geothermal will provide the proper background for addressing design considerations, locating and optimization of ground loop field placement, minimum installation standards, judging retrofit potential to existing structures and other issues. Architects attending for full certification can use this course for AIA continuing education credits.
Utility Personnel – By understanding how a GeoExchange system operates and the importance of a quality installation to professional standards, utility people can better serve their customer base and management when questions or decisions need to be responded to.
Builders – This is an opportunity for builders to learn why a GeoExchange system may be best for their client, either residential or commercial, and what they need to be aware of when construction begins to confirm the integrity of the installation. Builders that actively work with and encourage GeoExchange installations set themselves apart from their competition.
About the Instructor
The lead course instructor, Terry Proffer (Sound Geothermal), is certified as an installation trainer by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, is experienced with heat load analysis, loop design and both residential and commercial field installations. A former petroleum geologist, Terry’s competence with detailed loop designs for large homes and commercial installations has attracted clients from California to Pennsylvania, and Arizona to Canada. Terry is nationally recognized and has been referenced in This Old House magazine, has appeared as a technical panelist on the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium’s GeoExchange teleconference series, and has authored various GeoExchange case histories. Terry has also been qualified and nominated as a GeoMERIT consultant, which is a program supported by the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium to identify loop design and training professionals in the GeoExchange industry available to assist private firms, utilities and institutions with training and system design support.
Guest instructors will assist with specific modules as required (borehole loop installation, duct delivery special requirements, etc.).
If you plan to attend, please print and mail the enclosed registration back with tuition by no later than Wednesday, March 25, 1998. Upon receipt of your registration and tuition, a map and list of accommodations will be forwarded. The cost of this school is $450.00 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch daily. We will require a minimum of 10 participants to make the class, and limit the class to 25. If a minimum of ten reservations with tuition is not received by Wednesday, March 25, Sound Geothermal reserves the right to cancel this school and return any deposits.
Persons wishing to audit the course may do so for a nominal fee of $50 to cover overhead. A complete set of IGSHPA text books and manuals may be purchased for $125.
Any authorized Sound Geothermal dealer or installer that has been previously IGSHPA certified may audit the class at no cost and is encouraged to participate in our open forums.
We look forward to seeing you in Colorado Springs!
| Note: | If you have a current set of house or light commercial building plans, or even a retrofit application, for a pending GeoExchange installation that you are willing to share with the class for a real-world analysis and design, please contact Terry Proffer prior to the start of the class at (970) 240-6018. We will use your plans as a combined class project to arrive at a heat load, evaluate the most appropriate ground loop for the application, generate a pressure drop analysis and size the correct tonnage unit to install. We want something that is not too complex, such as a 2,000 to 4,000 sq. ft. structure, to accommodate the time constraints of the class schedule. Forced air and radiant floor/snow melt applications will be considered. This is normally a minimum $500 (retail) service provided by Sound Geothermal. |
