Cold-Climate Heat Pumps, Pellet Boilers and Renewable Thermal Heating Systems
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Before undertaking any on-demand effort, you should review the rules of your licensing/certifying entity.
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Streamable MP4/PDF
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**Any streamable on-demand programs that qualify for AIA or LACES credit will require an additional 2 business weeks for processing.
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USB MP4/PDF
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**AIA credit is not available in USB format.
The link to the quiz will be available in a PDF in your USB drive marked QUIZ.
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Please contact HalfMoon Education if you have any questions during the process of taking this course. (715) 835-5900 or qchapman@halfmoonseminars.org
Agenda
Webinar instructions will be emailed 24-48 business hours before the date of the webinar.
Please log into the webinar 10-15 minutes before start time.
Thursday, April 16, 2026
8:30 am – 4:00 pm CDT
Agenda:
Presented by Marc Miller
Overview of Systems to be Covered
- Air-source heat pumps
- Water source heat pumps
- Ground-source heat pumps
- Condensing boilers and furnaces
- Pellet-fired boilers
- Solar-assisted space heating and domestic hot water
Industry Basics
- How load calculations are performed
- Understanding Manual J
- Building envelope thermal performance
- Laws of thermodynamics
- 3 types of heat and 3 types of heat transfer
- What is a heat exchanger
Heat Pumps Overview
- Carnot refrigeration cycle
- Major parts and pieces of a heat pump
- Performance metrics and ratings
- Performance in cold climates
- Low voltage thermostat wiring
Cold Climate Air-Source Heat Pump Specifics
- Capacity as a function of outside air temperature
- Balance point and 2nd stage heat sizing
- Cold-climate air-source heat pumps
- Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heat pump technology
- Ductless vs. ducted systems
- Results from air-source heat pump performance studies
Ground-Source Heat Pump Performance
- Evolution of renewable resource utilization
- Closed loop, open loop, and standing column heat pump systems
- Thermal energy sources and sinks
- Ground-source heat pump configurations
- Direct Ground Exchange (DGX) Waterless Heat Pump
- Debunking geothermal misconceptions
Boiler-Based Heating Systems
- Boiler technology fundamentals and operations
- How to optimize heating performance
- Different rules for different boiler technologies
- The importance of resetting water temperatures based upon load
- The importance of right-sizing boiler stages for optimal operation
Biomass Boilers Performance
- Modern, microprocessor-controlled wood-pellet boilers
- Inside the pellet boiler
- Vacuum and augur-fed pellet systems
- Ash management and disposal systems
- Efficiency and the effects of ratings based on higher or lower heating values of fuel
- Lessons learned
Solar-Assisted Domestic Hot Water and Space Heating Performance
- Solar domestic hot water systems: steam-back, closed loop and drain-back solar thermal system configurations
- Rooftop solar thermal panels, hot water storage and radiant floor heat delivery systems
- New construction – residential solar thermal space heating systems
- Lessons learned
Review and Questions
Webinar Instructions
All attendees must log-on through their own email – attendees may not watch together if they wish to earn continuing education credit. HalfMoon Education Inc. must be able to prove attendance if either the attendee or HalfMoon Education Inc. is audited.
Certificates of completion can be downloaded in PDF form upon passing a short quiz. A link to the quiz will be sent to each qualifying attendee immediately after the webinar. The certificate can be downloaded from the Results page of the quiz upon scoring 80% or higher.
Webinars are presented via GoToWebinar, an easy-to-use application that can be run on most systems and tablets. Instructions and login information will be provided in an email sent close to the date of the webinar. It is highly recommended that you download, install and test the application before the webinar begins by clicking on the link in the email.
GoToWebinar App requirements:
Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher, Linux, Google Chrome OS
Web Browser:
Google Chrome (most recent 3 versions)
Microsoft Edge (most recent 3 versions)
Internet connection: 1 Mbps or better
Hardware: 2GB of RAM (minimum), 4GB or more of RAM (recommended)
For more information, visit the Support section at www.gotowebinar.com
Credits
Engineers
6.5 PDHs
Architects
6.5 HSW CE Hours
AIA - American Institute of Architects
6.5 HSW LUs
ICC - International Code Council
0.65 CEUs (Energy)
Continuing Education Information
This webinar is open to the public and is designed to qualify for 6.5 PDHs for professional engineers and 6.5 HSW continuing education hours for licensed architects in all states that allow this learning method. Please refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.
HalfMoon Education is an approved continuing education sponsor for engineers in Florida (Provider License No: CEA362), Indiana (License No. CE21700059), Maryland, and New Jersey (Approval No. 24GP00049300). HalfMoon Education is deemed an approved continuing education sponsor for New York engineers and architects via its registration with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (Regulations of the Commissioner §68.14(i)(2) and §69.6(i)(2)). Other states do not preapprove continuing education providers or courses.
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System has approved this course for 6.5 HSW LUs (Sponsor No. J885). Only full participation is reportable to the AIA/CES.
The International Code Council has approved this event for .65 CEUs in the specialty area of Energy (Preferred Provider No. 1232).
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the webinar for those who attend the entire course and score a minimum 80% on the quiz that follows the course (multiple attempts allowed).
*On-Demand Credits*
The preceding credit information only applies to the live presentation. This course in an on-demand format is not pre-approved by any licensing boards and may not qualify for the same credits; please consult your licensing board(s) to ensure that a structured, asynchronous learning format is appropriate. The following pre-approvals may be available for the on-demand format upon request:
6.5 HSW LUs (AIA)
Speakers
Marc Miller
President HVAC Pro InsightsMr. Miller has been a distinguished leader in the HVAC industry since 1995, bringing three decades of expertise spanning nearly all areas of focus in the HVAC industry. He holds an HVAC Master’s License in Maryland and Virginia, as well as a Stationary Engineer license. Mr. Miller is a proud member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), recently lecturing at the 2025 annual conference regarding Thermal Energy Networks. In 1998, he obtained a Security Clearance, enabling him to work on highly specialized and mission-critical classified mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects across the globe. His portfolio includes HVAC construction and system integrations in Egypt, India, the UK, Western Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the United States, projects that extend far beyond the scope of traditional commercial MEP work. Since 2016, Mr. Miller has been based in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continues to provide subject-matter expertise in all areas of HVAC. He also founded ProProfitBuild.com, a platform dedicated to empowering tradesmen and construction professionals. With real-world proven strategies, he addresses financial management practices, 1:1 construction and business management mentoring, and implementing proven practices and procedures to improve the continuity of business for trade-oriented businesses.
AIA Info
AIA Provider Statement:
HalfMoon Education Inc. is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number J885. All registered AIA/CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider of learning program may be sent to AIA/CES (cesupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA/CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
Course Title: Cold-Climate Heat Pumps, Pellet Boilers and Renewable Thermal Heating Systems
Delivery Method: Live Online
Course Description: This 6.5-hour course reviews the design, selection, and performance of cold-climate heat pumps, pellet boilers, and renewable thermal heating systems for residential and light commercial buildings. The program explains load calculations, system components, cold-weather performance, and installation considerations to help professionals compare technologies and design efficient, reliable heating solutions that reduce energy use and operating costs.
Learning Objectives:
Learning Objective 1: Learners will be able to calculate heating loads and evaluate building envelope performance to determine appropriate system sizing.
Learning Objective 2: Learners will be able to compare air-source, ground-source, pellet boiler, and solar-assisted heating systems based on efficiency, cold-climate performance, and application suitability.
Learning Objective 3: Learners will be able to design system configurations including piping, distribution, controls, and staging to optimize energy performance and reliability.
Learning Objective 4: Learners will be able to identify common installation and operational challenges and apply strategies to improve safety, durability, and long-term system performance.
LUs: 6.5
LU Type: LU|HSWs
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Course Expiration Date: 02/12/2029
Complaint Resolution Policy:
Complaints regarding this course can be emailed to fchapman@halfmoonseminars.org or by calling (715) 835-5900. A HalfMoon Education representative will respond within 72 hours to resolve the complaint, which will include, but not limited to, access to another CE activity at no or reduced cost or a full or partial refund. Each instance will be resolved on a case-by-case situation.
6.5 Knowledge Points
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