As the Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump industry is on a path to unprecedented growth, it is important that governments and utilities (especially those that are providing incentives) have a benchmark for success. How can they protect their investments and reputation, while encouraging adoption of the technology, which provides so many benefits to consumers, developers, the electric grid, and society as a whole? The International Ground Source Heat Association (IGSHPA)’s partnership with CSA Group for accredited training and certification programs and additional courses that create “building blocks” for success, provide solutions!

IGSHPA has 23 courses available in online, self-paced formats and through instructor-led (in-person or virtual) instruction. States and provinces, and even federal governments are including IGSHPA courses as part of their programs. This blog will highlight the most recent implementations and will be updated as new programs develop.

Colorado

The state of Colorado’s CEO (Colorado Energy Office) program for heat pump training has a new training toolkit that recognizes IGSHPA training for design and installation of GSHPs and recommends that training should be aligned with the most recent edition of the CSA/ANSI/IGSHPA C448:25 Design and Installation Standard.

New Jersey

The state of New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program provides a Workforce Development Reimbursement of up to $2,000 per person per course, up to $4,000. The following IGSHPA courses and certifications are eligible for reimbursement:

• IGSHPA Residential Self-Paced Online Training (up to) 7 Core Modules
• IGSHPA Residential System Design Workshop
• IGSHPA Residential Self-Paced Online Training (up to) 2 Further Learning Modules
• IGSHPA Commercial Self-Paced Online Training (up to) 7 Core Modules
• IGSHPA Commercial Systems Design Workshop
• IGSHPA Commercial Self-Paced Online Training (up to) 3 Further Learning Modules

New Mexico

The state of New Mexico’s Geothermal Ground Coupled Heat Pump Tax Credit program of up to 30% of the installation costs (up to $9,000) through 2034 requires IGSHPA certification for installers of the systems. See the following links for details of the program:

• Commercial tax credit
• Residential tax credit

New York

The state of New York’s Clean Heat program offers significant incentives based upon each utility’s program. For example, National Grid offers up to $20,000 for single family GSHP retrofit installations and up to $14,000 for new construction (even more for disadvantaged communities). Other New York utilities have similar incentives. The program requires IGSHPA certification and is designed up be updated for the new IGSHPA curriculum (footnote on page 28 states, “⁵⁶If IGSHPA adjusts its installer certifications, the NYS Clean Heat Program will adjust appropriately”).

Ontario

The province of Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings program provides up to $12,000 for GSHPs. Participating HVAC contractors must be IGSHPA certified.

U.S. Department of Energy (D.O.E.)

IGSHPA’s GRIT (GSHP Residential Installation Technician), GRST (GSHP Residential Service Technician), and Geo 101 courses have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as important new content and best practices in the Energy Skilled HVAC Program. Energy Skilled™ is a workforce development program that recognizes certification, licensure, training, and degree programs that teach the skills needed to succeed in today’s building sector jobs. The Department of Energy recognition shines a light on training programs, certifications, and other credentials that are helping to prepare a competitive American workforce and reduce energy costs to consumers.