Show others you have the credentials to install modern heat pumps
Heat pumps outsell gas furnaces nationally by nearly 35 percent. They’re no longer a niche technology; they’re the preferred choice for home heating and cooling.
But the industry hasn’t caught up. Too many HVACR professionals lack the training to properly install, commission, and troubleshoot these more sophisticated systems. And too many students are still graduating from HVACR programs without ever putting their hands on an inverter-driven heat pump, leaving them underprepared on day one of the job.
That gap costs everyone: contractors lose callbacks and reputation, wholesalers sell equipment that gets installed incorrectly, educators graduate students who aren’t ready for employment on day one, and consumers end up with systems that never perform the way they should.
To close that gap, the U.S. Department of Energy created Energy Skilled™, a national recognition program that helps consumers identify HVACR professionals who are trained and certified in high-performance heat pump technology.
The concept is straightforward: technicians and installers who complete a DOE-recognized course or pass a DOE-recognized certification can earn the Energy Skilled™ recognition. That recognition becomes a credential they can put in front of employers and homeowners alike, proof of real, verified expertise in modern heat pump systems.
The goal is simple: help consumers find qualified, certified technicians for advanced energy-efficient upgrades, while giving skilled professionals a way to stand out.
Recognition doesn’t stop at a certificate. Professionals who pass a recognized course or exam can apply to be listed in the Energy Skilled™ directory. This is an online tool to help consumers search for Energy Skilled technicians in their area.
ESCO Institute and HVAC Excellence are Energy Skilled™ recognized providers, offering the courses and certifications you, or the technicians you train, need to demonstrate real competency in high-performance heat pumps.
A 10-chapter online course delivering comprehensive instruction from initial cost analysis through advanced diagnostics. The interactive format requires learners to complete chapter-based questions to progress, ensuring real engagement with the material — not just a click-through.
This bundle includes two courses required for Energy-Skill recognition in Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Installation:
Designed for entry-level technicians, this exam tests knowledge of the components, controls, and circuitry found on both new-generation and legacy heat pump systems. It also evaluates a candidate’s ability to effectively and efficiently troubleshoot these systems — making it an ideal benchmark for students entering the field.
Learn MoreCovers the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of heat pump systems, along with the use of smart diagnostic and commissioning applications, airflow estimation or measurement, and duct leakage evaluation. Built for technicians who are actively installing systems in the field.
Learn MoreFocused on the service side of the business, this exam covers engaging with customers to evaluate their home for a heat pump system, the importance of proper load calculation and system selection, dual-fuel best practices, and the broader impacts of installing a heat pump.
Learn MoreAs an educator or trainer, your success is measured by the success of your students. Energy Skilled™ helps you prepare technicians for today’s workforce by connecting your training programs to credentials recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
By incorporating Energy Skilled-recognized certifications and training into your curriculum, you can enhance the value of your programs, strengthen employer confidence in your graduates, and help students stand out in a competitive job market.
As consumers gain new tools to identify qualified HVAC professionals, technicians with Energy Skilled-recognized credentials will be better positioned for visibility and career opportunities.
The question is: Will your graduates be among them?
Energy Skilled-recognized credentials:
Whether you’re an educator preparing students for day one, a trainer building out your curriculum, a wholesaler supporting the contractors you serve, or a contractor looking to differentiate your business — Energy Skilled™ recognition is a way to prove what you already know how to do, and get credit for it where it counts: in front of employers, and in front of the homeowners searching for someone they can trust.