The ground heat exchanger serves as the energy source for a geothermal building. In the context of both the quality inspector and the code inspector, proper installation and testing are imperative to ensure proper operation of the building and comfort of the occupants. Proper inspection techniques will also ensure that all of the economic benefits associated with a high performance, energy efficient system will be available to the owner.

The IGSHPA Certified Geothermal Inspectors course was developed with two types of inspectors in mind: code officials and quality inspectors. The class is taught in a classroom environment in 12 sections over a two-day period for a total of 16 contact hours. The first day the minimum body of knowledge necessary for an inspector to have in order to perform his/her duties is presented. There is a heavy emphasis on the ground heat exchanger — including closed loop, open loop, and standing column well. The course is structured around the IGSHPA Design and Installation Standards. Comparisons are also made to the new (March 2016) CSA 448-16 binational standards that were developed by the Canadian Standards Association with the help of IGSHPA, NGWA, and many other industry groups.

Topics covered:

1. Course Introduction and Overview - Inspectors Role in Protection of Public Health, Safety, Environment & Project Design
2. Heat Pump Types and Operation 
3. Outside Heat Exchanger Configurations, Earth Coupling Types
4. Design Methods, Compliance with Codes, Standards, And Accepted Procedures
5. Outside Heat Exchanger Materials and Components
6. Outside Heat Exchanger Installation Techniques
7. Indoor Piping and Circulation System Inspection
8. Site Awareness and Records
9. Permanent Loop Decommissioning
10. Heat Fusion Overview
11. Local Codes- Specific to Area Being Taught and Review of Appropriate Sections of IMC and IAPMO-USEHC in The Context of the Course.
12. Geothermal Inspection Points-Based On a Case Study