OFTEC Heat Pump study guide
OFTEC Heat Pump · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
OFTEC describes itself as a trade association for liquid fuel heating equipment manufacturers and training providers, and it also runs a 'competent persons scheme' for businesses and technicians who are approved to install and maintain oil, solid fuel, electrical and renewable heating equipment. For renewable heating work, OFTEC points candidates to its renewables scheme alongside its Competent Persons, Microgeneration Certification, TrustMark and PAS 2030 registration routes. The OFTEC Heat Pump study guide has 4 sections and about 1,258 words.
01Heat Pump System Design and Sizing
Design starts with a room-by-room heat loss calculation at the design external temperature, not with a rule of thumb or a like-for-like boiler replacement. You must understand fabric heat loss (U-values × areas × temperature difference), ventilation and infiltration losses, and how the total at design conditions fixes the heat pump's rated output.
369 words, about 2 min02Heat Pump Installation and Commissioning
Installation quality determines real-world performance. Candidates must understand siting (clearances, air recirculation, noise, snow and flood risk, wall bracket versus ground slab), refrigerant pipework routes and limits, and hydraulic design - primary/secondary separation, low-loss headers, buffer vessels and volumisers.
313 words, about 2 min03Electrical and Controls Work for Renewable Heating
Heat pump electrical work spans supply, protection, controls and metering. Candidates must understand diversity and maximum demand, correct protective device selection (MCB/RCBO types, RCD requirements), earthing and bonding, and cable sizing for the heat pump and immersion/backup heater.
298 words, about 1 min04Service, Maintenance and Regulatory Compliance
Service and maintenance keep performance and safety. Candidates must understand routine checks: refrigerant leak detection and F-gas record keeping where applicable, filter and strainer cleaning, checking flow rates and ΔT, inspecting insulation and condensate drains, verifying controls and safety devices, and checking the cylinder's temperature and legionella regime.
278 words, about 1 min