What’s Special About IGSHPA Geothermal Installer Certification? Do you Really Need it?

It’s a good and valid question.

If you’re curious what certification is, you can see here: What is the IGSHPA Certification?  But more importantly, what is the value of IGSHPA certification in the marketplace – who is it valuable for and why would one bother to take the training?

While the certification doesn’t necessarily allow you to pull permits (see the review the geothermal license, certifications, and permitting) it does provide you with the knowledge and confidence to sell a job and then perform the design and installation. In addition, many states are requiring IGSHPA certification to to apply for incentives. Connecticut requires it, and Minnesota will provide higher rebates for IGSHPA Certified installers. Read below for the full description of the IGSHPA certification, and if you have any questions about it, feel free to ask us on our HeatSpring’s facebook page.

Although the geothermal industry has been growing very quickly over the past 10 years, it’s still a relatively unknown  technology and not taught in most technical or engineering training programs.  This is the purpose of the IGSHPA Certification, to supplement your technical or professional education to become more familiar and confident designing and installing geothermal.

Every geothermal training workshop and certification will cover the below topics.

• Design and Material Options: including the sizing of loop field, heat pumps, air handlers, and the distribution system.
• System Layout
• Pipe Joining Techniques
• Trenching/Drilling Processes
• Air and Debris Purging
• Pressure Drop Calculations
• Pump and Fluid Selection
• Thermal Conductivity

If you have a sales, trade, or technical background the IGSHPA workshops and certification will provide you with the specific information you need to supplement your existing skills so you can sell, design or install geothermal system.  It’s not a requirement for everyone on a project to have it, and many people have found great success in the industry without it.  But having the IGSHPA credential has yet to hurt anyone, and it’s something of a right of passage for anyone getting into the industry.