Webinar - October 2021
The HPSC and PRC program administrators hosted a webinar for existing heat pump PRCs on October 6, 2021. This section contains the webinar recording and a transcript of the webinar Q&A.
Content
3:10 What is Happening
5:14 Introduction to the HPSC
9:24 Home Performance Contractor Network - Background, Timeline, PRC to HPCN Transition
22:17 Home Performance Contractor Network - Insulation PRC Requirements to join the HPCN
31:42 - Q&A Starts
Use the slider on the bottom of the video screen to jump to the minute and second marker noted above.
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Slides
Download the presentation slides.
Q&A Transcript
Many HVAC contractors asked questions and shared helpful feedback regarding trade designations for residential heat pump installation.
| Question | Answer |
| Many HVAC contractors asked questions and shared helpful feedback regarding trade designations for residential heat pump installation. | The HPSC continues to collaborate with stakeholders and regulatory authorities to gather information and inform the Residential Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Certification announced by the Province in June 2021. |
| If you are an existing PRC are you automatically a HPCN or do you need to requalify? | You must apply to join the HPCN and complete some new requirements. As an existing PRC, your registration process with the HPSC will be fast-tracked, meaning your work to-date will be recognized by allowing you to skip some steps. |
| The required training for Heat Pump contractors is a large time commitment. Most contractors are already very stretched trying to keep up with high demand along with a lack of qualified tradespeople to hire. Having the HPCN be required for the heat pump rebates is likely to create more of a bottle neck, resulting in even longer waitlists for homeowners wanting to install heat pump systems. | 32:25 in the video above |
| How many employees need training? | It is your responsibility to ensure that enough employees are qualified to meet network expectations on all HPCN-relevant work i.e. the work meets industry best practices and the Code of Conduct is adhered to. If you have a small team, or are an independent contractor (i.e. sole proprietor), it is likely that you are able to satisfy these requirements with a single, or small number of employees. Companies with large service areas, multiple job sites running at once, and/or many employees are responsible for ensuring they have enough staff trained to meet network expectations on all projects. |
| How do we go about starting our training? | Start your HPCN registration and you will be provided with instructions to start your training. Learn how to register here. |
| This courses will be emailed to the company for completion, and who have to pay for this courses? | Courses will be available within the Contractor Portal upon registration. The company/contractor will pay initially but the subsidies will offset 100% of the course cost + a wage contribution for time to complete the training. |
| Is this HVAC HPCN for heat pump only or both furnace and heat pump? | Both. The HPCN HVAC sector is open to contractors that install all types of heating, cooling, and/or ventilation systems. |
| Is it mandatory to have, refrigeration license, heat loss calculation license, ventilation license | The mandatory requirements for the HVAC sector are listed here. |
| Do we have to redo the training we did for the PRC program or does it carry over? | 36:10 in the video above |
| Is it possible to challenge the training if you already have taken similar training? | 44:26 in the video above |
| Which TECA and HRAI courses qualify? | TECA: Principles of Moving Air and TECA: Heat Loss/Heat Gain OR HRAI: Basic Principles of Residential Ventilation and HRAI: Residential Heat Loss and Heat Gain. |
| If we wanted to take both required courses. Can we claim subsidy's for both courses and wages for both? | No, only one set of TECA or HRAI courses per employee are eligible for reimbursement. This allows the available funding to benefit as many companies as possible. |
| Do these courses have to all be held by the same employee or is it okay to have them spread out over multiple employees? and can the owner have done the PRC training and the manager have done the TECA training to qualify? | The training must be completed by the same employee. A minimum of 1 supervisor or lead installer per contracting company must complete the qualifications before the contractor can continue to the next step of registration.
It is your responsibility to ensure that enough employees are qualified to meet network expectations on all HPCN-relevant work i.e. the work meets industry best practices and the Code of Conduct is adhered to. If you have a small team, or are an independent contractor (i.e. sole proprietor), it is likely that you are able to satisfy these requirements with a single, or small number of employees. Companies with large service areas, multiple job sites running at once, and/or many employees are responsible for ensuring they have enough staff trained to meet network expectations on all projects. |
| How do we know if we have completed this course? Does the HPSC have a record of completion? | 51:22 in the video above |
| Can the required training for heat pump contractors be shortened? It is too long, especially for contractors who have experienced Red Seal certified Refrigeration Mechanics as lead installers. A training requirement waiver for contractors who have sufficient qualifications is needed here. | 52:48 in the video above |
| Does this imply that the TECA course registration cost is covered? | Yes, for the specific TECA or HRAI courses required to join the HPCN, 100% of the course costs are eligible for reimbursement. |
| How many subsidies are available to a company who wants to send multiple employees? | 48:40 in the video above |
| What if the manager or supervisor is not a gas fitter, should the gas fitter do the training or manager and supervisor should. | All employees responsible for design or installation decisions must be trained. If this is only the gas fitter, then only the gas fitter needs to be trained. If a supervisor or manager is involved in these design or installation decisions, they too must also be trained. Keep in mind that this applies to furnace installations only. |
| How do we access the "house as a system" course? | Once you start your HPCN member registration at registeredbccontractor.ca, you will see links to all required courses. Here are instructions on how to get started. |
| How do we find out if we were ever registered in the PRC? | Please email alliance@bchydro.com with your company name and we can check if you are currently registered as a PRC. |
| How do we receive the wage contribution? | The wage contribution is a pre-determined dollar amount based on median provincial wages for the sector and estimated time to complete the required training. The wage contribution is provided in the same process as reimbursement for training costs. |
| We have an account on registeredbccontractor.ca for our PRC account where we are mid completing the Quality first Training, we login to the contractor Portal. To confirm we do not have to create a new account? | Correct! Here are instructions on how to get started with your transition in the same account you already have on registeredbccontractor.ca |
Read the PRC FAQ section for more frequently asked questions.