Are Home Heat Pumps the Future of HVACR?

Growing up in the hot and humid Midwest, I never thought of air conditioning as a luxury. Instead, it just seemed like a normal “utility” that was necessary to make life bearable during the scorching summer months. Looking back, I can see that I was lucky to have had it.

It wasn’t until a job took me to Denver that I realized that there were areas of the country where air conditioning was indeed an option that not everyone chose to have. In the arid mountains, many people chose to rely upon fans and swamp coolers in lieu of more expensive HVAC systems.

As the weather grows consistently hotter year after year, air conditioning appears to be becoming more mainstream in homes throughout the country, even in areas traditionally not thought of as hot spots. Likewise, older homes not built with air conditioning systems are being renovated to add these systems as new owners take possession.

Does your current home have air conditioning? If so, what type of system does it have? Do you know? If you’re thinking of adding air conditioning, then you might be surprised by the range of choices available to homeowners today.

In a recent CNBC article , author Bob Woods notes that, in the world of HVACR, the “hot” ticket right now is the humble heat pump (pun most certainly intended). According to Woods, “[a]lthough these devices, which use electricity to generate both air conditioning and heat, have been around for decades, the latest models are much more efficient and cost-effective alternatives to conventional fossil-fuel furnaces and air conditioners.”

Cost and efficiency aren’t the only factors guiding the trend toward heat pumps lately. Woods points out that “[t]he federal government, as well as an increasing number of states, are offering consumers?attractive tax credits and rebates?for buying and installing heat pump systems as a way to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions and propel the transition to renewable energy.”

The resurgence in popularity of heat pumps is interesting, given that “[t]he thermodynamic science behind heat pumps was developed in the 1850s, when the first ones were invented, and they’ve been used in homes since the 1960s.”

One reason they may not have been as popular until now is “the notion, often?promulgated by the oil and gas industry?and?utilities, that heat pumps don’t work well in below-freezing temperatures, thus requiring a fossil-fuel furnace as backup.”

While “heat pumps have become popular for air conditioning in southern states,” Woods notes that “cold states are leading the way” when it comes to the rising popularity of heat pumps today. For example, “Maine has the highest rate of adoption, installing 100,000 units in households?two years ahead of schedule?and aiming to hook up another 175,000 by 2027.”

When you look at the statistics, it’s easy to see why heat pumps are becoming the go-to solution for modern heating and cooling needs. Woods notes that “[m]any of today’s models are three to five times more efficient than fossil-fuel furnaces, and work well even in extremely cold and hot weather.” For many homeowners, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is just another added benefit.

The resurgence of the heat pump has led “ Carrier Global, the nearly 100-year-old manufacturer whose founder, Willis Carrier, invented air conditioning…[to] reposition[] itself to capitalize on the fast-growing market for heat pumps and other sustainable heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies.”

For example, last April “Carrier made its biggest bet yet on the heat pump boom when it acquired Germany’s Viessmann Climate Solutions for roughly $13 billion.” Woods notes that, “[i]n addition to proprietary heat pump technology, Viessmann offers renewable energy capabilities and home battery storage, as well as smart home system controls and applications that can be integrated to drive energy efficiency.”

One thing that’s clear is that the future of HVACR is bright. Whether it’s the popularity of heat pump systems or the inclusion of smart technologies to make HVACR systems more efficient, the need for highly skilled HVACR technicians will only grow in years to come. That means both businesses and educational institutions will need to focus on training in the coming years to create a pipeline of skilled HVACR talent.

Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert at HVACR training to implement a new program. The experts at Amatrol have been working hand-in-hand with educators and industry for years to design training programs featuring eLearning curriculum and hands-on experience with trainers equipped with industrial components workers will encounter on the job.

For example, Amatrol’s Residential Heat Pump Troubleshooting Learning System (T7100 ) teaches critical HVACR skills related to residential HVACR systems that use a heat pump and traditional ducting. Learners will work with real industrial HVACR equipment, such as: a heat pump condenser, heat pump air handler, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, and ducting. The T7100 was also designed to include transparent housings, pipes, and ducting with LED illumination that allows learners to see inside the system.

The T7100’s interactive multimedia eLearning curriculum covers a wide variety of fundamental residential heat pump topics, including: thermostat operation, pressure and temperature measurements, component tests, and system troubleshooting. The curriculum also focuses on the development of critical hands-on skills, including: operating a heat pump in heating and cooling modes, testing a thermostatic expansion valve, and troubleshooting insufficient cooling.

Likewise, Amatrol’s Residential Mini-Split Heat Pump Learning System (T7130 ) focuses on residential ductless (“mini-split”) HVACR systems. Learners using the T7130 will work with real industrial HVACR equipment, such as: a heat pump condenser, evaporator unit, thermostat, panel-mounted gauges, and condensate pump. The T7130 also features transparent housings and pipes with LED illumination that allow learners to see inside the system.

The T7130’s eLearning curriculum covers fundamental residential mini-split system topics, including: remote controller adjustments, heating and cooling modes, LED indicators, communication between units, and system troubleshooting. Learners can also expect to learn critical hands-on skills, including adjusting remote controller settings, verifying communication between indoor and outdoor units, and testing a four-way valve reversing valve coil.

Importantly, Amatrol’s new T7100 and T7130 training systems feature FaultPro, Amatrol’s exclusive computer-based fault insertion software. FaultPro allows instructors to insert a wide variety of electronic faults to teach key troubleshooting skills without harm to the equipment or danger to students.

Learners using the T7100 or T7130 with FaultPro will gain real-world problem-solving experience with more than two dozen mechanical and electrical faults they will encounter on the job. For example, the T7130 includes faults related to failures involving the fan motor, fuses, input power/wiring, compressor, and sensors.

Visit Amatrol online to learn more about its many different types of HVACR training programs. For more information about how Amatrol can help you inspire and train the next generation of skilled HVACR workers, contact an expert at Amatrol today !

About Duane Bolin

Duane Bolin is a former curriculum developer and education specialist. He is currently a Marketing Content Developer for Amatrol, Inc. Learn more about Amatrol and its technical training solutions, including eLearning,?here ?and connect with Duane on Amatrol’s Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , and YouTube ?pages.