TECA's respected Quality First™ training programs are developed by the industry, for the industry, setting minimum standards for the residential and light commercial heating, ventilating and cooling trade in British Columbia. Our courses provide contractors the information they need to install equipment that operates safely and comfortably at rated efficiencies. Quality First™ numbers for Forced Air, Hydronic Systems Design, Ventilation and HRV are required by regulatory authorities in an increasing number of municipalities throughout the province.
In response to concerns from TECA instructors, students' opportunities for success may be compromised in classes where there are difficulties with the English language, both spoken and written. In these classes, instructors struggle to meet the needs of all students, and student learning may be impacted negatively. Suggesting a minimum level of English proficiency is a step TECA is taking to improve our students experience. All students must retain a level of English proficiency that will allow them to comprehend the TECA materials, take part in classroom discussions and complete a written examination without the assistance of a translator. This language requirement ensures that all students will have the opportunity for success with TECA Quality First Courses.
TECA's Suite of Quality First Training is open to all registrants but registrants must be 18 years of age to become certified.
TECA Quality First TM courses are currently being offered virtually and we are happy to offer In-Person training where there is demand. Please reach out to training@teca.ca if you are interested in In-Person classroom training. Seats are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
TECA training courses require a minimum number of participants. If course minimums are not met by the registration deadline advertised, TECA reserves the right to cancel the session. Registrants will be notified of the next available session in their area.
View our Cancellation Policy
PHOTO ID is required for all examinable courses. Identification must be current and one of the following:
Take this short survey to help us plan which days, and what time of day works best for you. It'll help refine our schedule to make it as convenient as possible for the most people. Take the Short Survey
The residential air to air heat pump course teaches fundamental heat pump theory and develops the tools required to design, install, commission, and maintain a residential air to air heat pump system.
Applying the knowledge gained from the pre-requisite courses, students will learn how to select
appropriate models and styles of air to air heat pump equipment for residential applications. Students will develop the skills to make critical design decisions such as properly locating the equipment and controls, how to size auxiliary heat, develop simple control strategies, and proper techniques for installing system components. Students will apply these skills to the installation of HVAC equipment in new construction and retrofit applications.
This course covers the theory required for a complete residential air to air heat pump installation in a
safe and efficient way. This includes a discussion of refrigerant types, how to minimize the impact to
the building envelope with penetrations, selection of system accessories, commissioning systems, and general maintenance to ensure reliable operation of the equipment. Then students will develop the skills to justify their design decisions and generate technical documents that verify their installations have been performed correctly and the system operates as intended.
This course is also offered through BCIT.
PREREQUISITES:
To date, TECA has offered this course 3 times and 35 industry professionals completed it.
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
TECA's Updated Quality First Forced Air Guidelines course includes basic Heat Loss Heat Gain theory, appliance selection, duct layout and sizing. Appliance selection is done using a printout of "Results Pages" from an example calculated by Teca's new heat loss, heat gain software. The course covers requirements for furnaces, A/C coils, and heat pumps including a new appliance selection sheet for Variable capacity Heat Pumps without auxiliary heat. Duct layout & sizing to selected equipment capacity for standard and low-pressure systems. The updated manual includes instructions for checking External Static Pressure, checking pressure drop across fittings and preferred furnace room duct configurations. A "Best Practice" installation chapter has been added and graphics have been updated including common culprit fittings found in systems. Successful participants of the 16-hour course receive a registered number on a certificate.
PLEASE NOTE: All those certified in Forced Air with an "HP" at the end of their certification number are still current and are NOT required to take the revised Forced Air class. Example of certification number 2019-0101-HP. It is important, however, to renew your Forced Air number with TECA every 3 years.
PHOTO ID is required for all examinable courses.
Identification must be current and one of the following:
The BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services recognizes and approves TECA's Quality First Forced Air course for Professional Development Points.
28 CPD points BC Housing
To date, TECA has offered this course 339 times and 2,380 industry professionals completed it.
The TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculator is not included in the course price. A valid license of the TECA HLHG Calculator is required to participate in the course. Please visit this link to purchase the calculator and ensure that it is downloaded prior to the start of the course. TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculator.
Please note that Microsoft Excel 2010 or newer is required to run the HLHG calculator.
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
The course is intended to help participants perform accurate and code-compliant heat loss and heat gain calculations. The BC Building Code calls for CSA F280-12 for calculation of heat loss and heat gain, for Part 9 buildings. The TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculator has been designed to give users an accurate and simple way to calculate heating and cooling loads by the CSA F280-12 calculation methods.
The training manual elaborates on the dynamics of heat loss and heat gain. It is critical that users of the calculator understand what inputs are required by the calculator. The TECA Heat Loss & Heat Gain Calculator comes with a users manual and tutorial videos to assist with the creation of accurate load calculations.
Features Include:
Participants of this course will receive a Certificate of Completion. An assignment must be completed to demonstrate your competency for completing a heat loss & heat gain calculation.
The BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services recognizes and approves TECA's Quality First courses for Professional Development Points.
PHOTO ID is required for all examinable courses.
Identification must be current and one of the following:
To date, TECA has offered this course 156 times and 1,605 industry professionals completed it.
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
TECA's Quality First Heat Recovery Ventilator course encompasses the proper design, installation, and commissioning and balancing of a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). This course expands on the BC Building Code 9.32 and 9.36 requirements, and participants will leave with a comfortable understanding of the function and purpose of a balanced ventilation system.
This course provides instruction to ensure that participants have the skills and knowledge to design, install and balance an HRV/ERV principal ventilation system. Manuals include technical information and documents necessary to meet requirements of Municipal Inspection Authorities. Successful participants will receive a registered number on a certificate and a stamp.
NOTE: Course fees include 10 hours of instruction, the 2-hour exam, and the Quality First„¢ HRV/ERV manual, provided at the start of class. Software is not included
PLEASE NOTE THAT CURRENT VENTILATION CERTIFICATION IS A PREREQUSITE TO THIS COURSE.
IMPORTANT ENFORCEMENT REMINDER FROM THE CITY OF VANCOUVER:
The HRV stamp will be required for issued new home applications or permits that are subject to the 2019 Vancouver Building By-law (VBBL), which came into effect November 1st 2019. That means projects with permits issued before this date, or are otherwise subject to the 2014 VBBL will not require the stamp.
*HRV is meant to represent either an HRV or ERV
The BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services recognizes and approves TECA's Quality First Heat Recovery Ventilator Design & Installation course for Professional Development Points.
16 CPD points BC Housing
Identification must be current and one of the following:
IMPORTANT - Please note that Ventilation Certification is a prerequisite to this course!
To date, TECA has offered this course 93 times and 758 industry professionals completed it.
The Hydronic System Design Course trains those working with hot water heating to properly design a residential hot water heating system to meet the guidelines established by the Residential Hot Water Heating Association of BC. Quality First Registered Hydronic Designers receive a numbered certificate and stamp for submitting system drawings from the Guidelines to inspection authorities. These Guidelines are used in conjunction with the TECA Hydronic Systems Design Manual and Hydronic Piping Handbook when designing systems. The drawings in these guidelines are approved boiler room and system layouts and are used by many BC authorities having jurisdiction for inspections of hydronic installations.
PREREQUISITES:
To date, TECA has offered this course 128 times and 2,196 industry professionals completed it.
Additional virtual and "in person" course delivery dates will be posted to our web site as confirmed.
To install a heat pump in Vancouver, you must have a Municipal Heat Pump Certification and be registered, as of July 1, 2022, as a certified heat pump installer.
Note: Presently for new construction and not retrofits. Visit the following webpages for further details:
- Heat pumps and permits
- Energy requirements for new single family and 1-3 storey homes
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
Note: This is a 24 hour course which includes the exam and a Question & Answer segment with your instructor. Successful registrants will receive a Municipal Heat Pump Certification certificate and stamp.
When you need a mechanical permit
For further information on pulling a Mechanical Permit at the City of Vancouver, please visit this link.
For Hydronic Designers
This is a must have to utilize the new TECA heat pump drawings and design projects involving air-to-water or water-to-water heat pumps.
For Hydronic Installers
This is great insight into the proper sizing, operation and logic of heat pumps when utilized in a hydronic heating or cooling system
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS:
Prerequisites for the Municipal Heat Pump Certification course.
Registrants must have One (1) or more of the prerequisites listed below:
In addition to the above, ALL registrants must also have the following Two (2) prerequisites:
You will need to provide the TECA office with a picture or copy of your Trade TQ before TECA will issue you a stamp. Please send to: training@teca.ca
For those of you awaiting to take our Hydronic Design course and do not have HD yet, you can still participate in this training, but we will only provide you with a Certificate (not a stamp) upon successful completion of the course. Once you pass Hydronic Design, we will issue you a Municipal Heat Pump Certification stamp.
To date, TECA has offered this course 34 times and 463 industry professionals completed it.
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
Principles of Moving Air (POMA) was totally revised January 2019 with 50+ new photos and drawings. POMA was developed to provide an in-depth explanation of how air moves through a duct system. This course will be a benefit to everyone working in the New, Retrofit or Repair portions of the industry. It was developed to give those who are designing or installing duct systems the ability to create quiet, efficient systems which deliver the required volumes while using the least fan energy. Today, furnaces, heat pumps and ventilation systems require larger volumes of air to be moved. Duct fitting shape, the number of fittings, air filters, coils all contribute to reduced flow in ductwork.
Air filters and their installation are covered thoroughly. The course teaches how to measure current duct system volume and how to calculate the future air flow capacity of the system. A must for retrofit applications. Students learn the relationships of pressure, pressure drop, volume, velocity and power and then will be shown these concepts in practice via demonstrations with our scale model. The knowledge gained of how to incorporate these components and concepts efficiently into a duct system is invaluable.
Successful participants of this 18-hour course will receive a certificate along with a whole new perspective on duct design and further be one step closer to qualifying for the soon to be adopted TECA Forced Air Designer Certificate.
The BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services recognizes and approves TECA's Quality First POMA course for Professional Development Points.
16 CPD points BC Housing
There is some basic math required to complete this course. While not math intensive, POMA does assume an ability to do multiplication, division, squares and square roots. Click here to review a math tutorial. If you can handle this or learn it before this course, you will have no problem math-wise.
To date, TECA has offered this course 149 times and 1,518 industry professionals completed it.
This is not a self-paced course, it is online synchronous delivery. You will be expected to be available and online on the posted days and times shown on your registration schedule. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content.
TECA's Quality First Ventilation Guidelines course covers the latest (December 2018) requirements of BC Building Code Section 9.32 Mechanical Ventilation.
It also provides the prerequisite information required for TECA's HRV course. Successful participants of the one-day course receive a certificate and numbered stamp for use on TECA's Mechanical Ventilation Checklists.
Manuals include technical information and documents necessary to meet requirements of Municipal Inspection Authorities. TECA's Quality First Ventilation Guidelines databases are made available to inspection authorities on request for purposes of confirming successful completion and issued number. Certified Ventilation Guidelines numbers must be renewed at BC Building Code change, approximately every 5 years.
NOTE: Course fees include 6 hours of instruction, the 2-hour exam, and the Quality First Ventilation Guidelines Manual, provided at the start of class. Software is not included.
The BC Housing, Licensing and Consumer Services recognizes and approves TECA's Quality First Ventilation Guidelines course for Professional Development Points.
11 CPD points BC Housing
SAMPLE OF CURRENT VENTILATION STAMPS BEING ACCEPTED BY BOABC:
PLEASE NOTE THAT you will be asked for Photo ID prior to writing the exam.
Identification must be current and one of the following:
To date, TECA has offered this course 385 times and 3,834 industry professionals completed it.