With looming manpower shortages in every sector of the construction industry, including heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR), it is critical that the highest skills be maintained, not just by workers, but by those who train them. To that end, in August, a train-the-trainer session on heat pump performance was held at United Association Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 22, West Seneca, NY.

The session was jointly held by the International Training Fund (ITF) of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters, Welders, and HVACR Service Technicians (UA) and North Park Innovations (NPI). This event is the result of New York State’s commitment to the most aggressive clean energy and climate agenda in the country. New York’s carbon reduction target requires transformation of the built environment in order to achieve an 85 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. All heat pump product families are commercially available solutions in the market today. New York has identified two keys to success: Over 200,000 homes per year upgraded to be all electric and energy efficient, and by 2050, over 600,000 commercial, institutional, and multi-family buildings need to cut energy use in half and end fossil fuel use.

The ITF, in partnership with NPI, has created two types of training modules to support this program. One is a heat pump water heater and the other is a split system heat pump. Both units have iManifold Pulse equipment mounted for demonstration purposes. NYSERDA (New York State Energy and Research Development Authority) awarded a funding match to enable the development of high-tech products to train current and future technicians in New York State’s HVACR Industry.

About the United Association

Founded in 1889, the United Association of Union Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinkler Fitters, Welders, and HVACR Technicians (UA) is a multi-craft union whose members are engaged in the fabrication, installation, and servicing of piping systems. There are over 400,000 members affiliated with the UA throughout North America, Australia, and Ireland, including over 350,000 UA members belonging to more than 300 local unions in the United States and Canada.