Ferris State University announces that it will be conducting a Geothermal Heat Pump Systems class during the National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference (March 8-10, 2009).

Geothermal heat pumps currently serve as a very stable and inexpensive answer to skyrocketing costs of heating and cooling our homes and workplaces. Their current popularity has been on the horizon for several decades and has allowed the technology to mature and deliver very reliable equipment and substantial financial savings to consumers who decide to install the systems.

Since the technology is complex, and largely a field assembly of smaller systems, it can be a rather foreboding experience to the uninitiated. Learn about the new modular program (Manual, Instructors Guide, Training Power Points, Certification Exam) from Ferris State University that acquaints the individual with the issues and concerns that he/she is likely to encounter in the decision making process.

This modular program is not an in-depth engineering level study of each of these systems or of the built-up systems. These resources are available through well-known trade organizations such as IGSHPA, International Ground Source Heat Pump Association, ASHRAE, American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers, NRECA, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and others.

This manual and supporting materials will explore the fundamental issues and concerns involved in the decision whether to purchase and install Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP), or not. The principals of operation, essential refrigeration components and system, sizing of all systems, waterside and airside components and systems, electrical components and systems, structure thermal loads, troubleshooting and economic concerns will be described in sufficient detail to aid the reader to begin the decision making process.
Notes are presented about specific items of caution. These are concerns common to items often missed by the inexperienced or untrained individual. These should serve to alert that individual to investigate the issue further.

Geothermal heat pumps potentially save a large percentage of the structure energy budget. They can easily show very attractive balance sheet returns. This manual and the time spent to examine this technology is a very good investment for the trainee.

The Geothermal Heat Pumps class will be conducted by Mr. Mike Lafferty, professor emeritus. In his almost thirty years with Ferris State University, he was privileged to teach many of the courses and labs in the both the two and four-year HVACR curriculum.

The National HVACR Educators and Trainers Conference will boast thirty one different sessions for persons to attend. The conference is open to anyone in the HVACR industry interested in learning about new and changing technologies.