OFTEC Heat Pump study plan
OFTEC Heat Pump · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Heat pump system design and sizing
Calculate room-by-room heat loss using U-values and design external temperature
Size emitter surface areas to match low flow temperatures for a sample property
Differentiate between air-source and ground-source heat pump configurations and when each suits a site
Explain the relationship between flow temperature, COP and seasonal performance
Your checkpoint
A completed full heat-loss and emitter sizing calculation for one worked example dwelling, with flow temperature justification written up in a one-page summary
Heat pump system design and sizing
Determine domestic hot water cylinder volume and reheat requirements for a given occupancy
Select a heat pump output that covers space heating and DHW with correct diversity assumptions
Assess radiator upgrade options and calculate required output at design flow temperature
Identify buffer vessel and volumiser requirements from system water volume
Your checkpoint
A system sizing pack for a second property: heat pump output selection, cylinder sizing and buffer/volumiser decision, each with a written justification
Heat pump installation and commissioning
Plan an installation sequence from survey through to handover
Position outdoor units to satisfy clearances, drainage and noise considerations
Describe correct pipework routing, insulation and condensate management for outdoor units
Specify primary and secondary pipe sizes and circulation pump requirements
Your checkpoint
An annotated installation method statement and site layout plan for a representative air-source installation
Heat pump installation and commissioning
Carry out pressure testing and evacuation procedures to accepted standards
Describe correct charging, leak checking and refrigerant handling obligations
Set up commissioning checks including flow rates, delta-T and defrost behaviour
Complete a handover covering controls explanation, user instructions and documentation
Your checkpoint
A completed commissioning checklist and handover record for a simulated installation, with all measured values recorded
Electrical and controls work for renewable heating
Determine supply requirements, protective device ratings and cable sizing for a heat pump circuit
Explain earthing, bonding and RCD selection for outdoor renewable heating equipment
Wire and interpret control inputs for weather compensation, room influence and DHW priority
Describe how heat pumps integrate with smart tariffs and load management
Your checkpoint
A full electrical design sheet for one installation: supply details, cable calculation, protective devices and a control wiring schematic
Electrical and controls work for renewable heating & Heat pump installation and commissioning
Configure weather compensation curves and set-points to match the design heat loss
Commission cylinder controls including legionella cycle and reheat priority
Test and record insulation resistance, polarity and earth continuity on the installation
Diagnose common control faults from symptoms described in a scenario
Your checkpoint
A commissioning and electrical test record for the week 5 design, plus written fault diagnoses for three control fault scenarios
Service, maintenance and regulatory compliance
Build a planned maintenance schedule covering refrigerant, hydraulic and electrical checks
Describe refrigerant leak detection and record-keeping obligations
Interpret performance data to identify degrading system efficiency
Outline relevant building regulation and competent person notification requirements for renewable heating
Your checkpoint
A 12-month planned maintenance schedule and a one-page compliance summary covering notification and refrigerant record duties
Service, maintenance and regulatory compliance & Heat pump system design and sizing
Diagnose underperformance cases using flow temperature, delta-T and defrost evidence
Review a full design and installation against the earlier worked examples
Complete timed practice questions across all four domains
Identify and list your weakest remaining areas with a revision action for each
Your checkpoint
A timed mock exam result log with a scored breakdown by domain and a written list of weak areas with revision actions
Milestones
Week 2: Produce a defensible heat pump and cylinder sizing for an unseen property without reference notes, scoring at least 80% on self-marked calculations
Week 4: Explain and demonstrate the commissioning sequence end to end, correctly stating evacuation targets, flow rate checks and handover contents
Week 6: Complete an electrical design and control configuration for an unseen scenario, correctly sizing the circuit and setting a weather compensation curve
Week 8: Score at least 75% overall on the timed mock, with no single domain below 65%, and have a written revision plan for weak areas