Frequently Asked Questions
Get your questions answered about Penn Heat Pump Pathways.
Program
What is Penn Heat Pump Pathways?
The Penn Heat Pump Pathways (PHPP) program is led by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Energy Programs Office (EPO), which is utilizing federal Department of Energy (DOE) funds allocated to Pennsylvania through the Inflation Reduction Act (Section 50123) to enhance existing heat pump training programs.
The PHPP program is designed to strengthen Pennsylvania’s residential HVAC workforce by expanding access to high-quality heat pump training and reducing barriers to participation. The program supports both new and existing workers while helping employers meet growing demand for skilled heat pump installers.
Who can participate in Penn Heat Pump Pathways?
The Penn Heat Pump Pathways program is available for three groups of participants in the HVAC industry.
- Workers - Start or grow a steady HVAC career with hands-on heat pump training, financial support, and job connections – right in your community.
- Training Providers - Expand your training reach through subsidized worker participation, increased visibility to an emerging workforce, and program support that makes participation manageable.
- Employers - Build your workforce with access to trained workers and support to upskill your existing team.
The only requirement to participate is Pennsylvania residency, or that you are currently employed by an HVAC employer who is located in Pennsylvania.
How long is the Penn Heat Pump Pathways program?
Training varies depending on if you are a new worker (new to the HVAC industry) or already employed in the industry. For new workers, training lengths vary but will be several weeks long. For existing workers, training will be much shorter and can be completed in a matter of days.
What is a heat pump?
Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates. Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from indoors to the outdoors, and during the heating season, they move heat from the cool outdoors to the indoors. Because they transfer heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can efficiently provide comfortable temperatures for a home.
Workers
Do I need HVAC experience to take part in the Penn Heat Pump Pathways Program?
You do not need any experience to take part in the program. We will provide you with hands-on training in heat pumps. We also support finding internships, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles with contractors.
Can I take part in the program if I’m currently employed at an HVAC company?
Yes! If you are currently working in the industry, this program is a great way to retrain on heat pump technology, controls, and whole-home performance. Plus, you will become eligible to participate in the Penn Energy Savers Program (PESP).
Is this program free?
Yes, PHPP offers free training for eligible workers. Workers will also qualify for additional support services.
Is there a deposit required to attend a training?
Yes, currently employed workers will be required to pay a $100 deposit. The deposit is fully refundable upon completion of the training.
Do you offer support services?
Yes. Funds provided through the PHPP program can be used to support workers requiring support services. Funding amounts and eligible expenses will be determined on a case-by-case basis during the application process.
Do you offer stipends?
Yes. Employer wage subsidies, also referred to as stipends, will be provided to employers for their workers’ participation in a PHPP-approved training.
Do you help with job placement?
PHPP partners with employers and workforce development agencies to facilitate job placement and apprenticeships.
All new workers who participate in the program will have access to a job board on the CareerEquity platform. CareerEquity will work with participating employers to determine their hiring needs and match new workers with those employers.
Do I need my own tools or equipment?
No. You do not need to own tools or special equipment to apply.
How much can I earn in this field?
The average salary for a HVAC technician is $30 per hour in Pennsylvania. The demand for qualified HVAC technicians is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
Is this training program a full time commitment?
No. This is not a single, one-size-fits-all program. There are multiple training options designed to fit different schedules and career stages. Many programs are structured specifically for existing workers who are employed full-time, while new workers may require full-time classroom training for a set period.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED?
No. The only requirement for participating in this program is that you are a resident of Pennsylvania.
Is there an age requirement?
Most training programs are designed for individuals 18 years or older. However, some programs may be available to younger participants (such as ages 16–17) through approved technical high school or pre-apprenticeship pathways that qualify for program support. If you have questions about this, please reach out.
Can this program help me change careers?
Yes. PHPP is designed for individuals who are new to HVAC or are coming from another field. The program provides foundational training and connections to employers looking to hire.
If I feel I have the necessary experience and competency, can I be exempted from PHPP requirements and automatically be listed as a PESP Qualified Contractor?
If you are an existing HVAC worker that has passed the North American Technician Excellence (NATE) Air to Air Heat Pump Specialty Exam, you can be listed as a Penn Energy Savers Program (PESP) Qualified Contractor, as long as you meet their eligibility requirements. The PHPP program will also pay for existing HVAC workers to take this specialty exam. If the individual passes the exam, they don’t have to meet PHPP training requirements and can be listed as a PESP Qualified Contractor, as long as their eligibility requirements are met.
Trainers
I offer some of the training topics listed for this program, but not all. Can I still receive subsidies?
Yes. As long as your training covers one or more of the topics listed, you can become a PHPP-approved training provider.
Does my training need to meet a certain time requirement?
No. The length of training time will vary amongst providers but should aim to be the minimum amount of time possible.
What training topics are covered in this program?
There are several pathways that are available to workers depending on their professional background and whether they are new to the industry, so there are a variety of topics that may qualify for subsidies within this program. They are: Heat Pump Technology & Applications, Heat Pump Installation Techniques, ACCA Manual J, D, and S Overview, Commissioning & Quality Installation Verification, Cold Climate Heat Pump Applications, Safe Handling of Refrigerants, Building Science Principles, Healthy Homes Principles, Virtual Power Plants, Heat Pump Water Heaters, and General HVAC.
How can I become an approved training provider?
You must complete an intake form/application, which must be approved to become a PHPP training provider. Note that all eligible training providers will need to submit a course syllabus for their in-person heat pump training to be approved for participation in PHPP.
Are training programs recognized by the DOE Energy Skilled program eligible for submission for PHPP approval?
Yes.
How will people find my training once I’m approved?
Once approved, training providers are listed on the PHPP website, which is searchable by all interested workers and employers.
How will I receive subsidies from this program if I’m approved?
PHPP supports the cost of training by paying registration fees directly to training providers or authorized service vendors. For more information on how this works, review the PHPP Guidance Manual. [link to manual]
Employers
How do I know if I’m eligible to participate in this program?
As long as you hold a current contractor license, you may participate in the PHPP program. All contractors must hold state-required certifications and licenses, including Home Improvement Contractor Registration, and abide by local licensing requirements.
How can I support my employees who are participating in this program?
Employers working with PHPP participants can aid in their involvement by confirming employment status (when requested) and verifying that all employees that attend PHPP-approved training are active and in good standing.
My employees have been working in HVAC for quite some time, but I would like them to get further training. Is this allowed?
Yes.
I have employees but they receive a 1099, not a W2. Can I still qualify as an employer in this program?
Yes. Employers may have either employees who receive a W2 or subcontractors who receive a 1099 can participate in in the PHPP program.
I want to hire new people that have gone through PHPP-approved training. Can you connect me to people looking for a job?
Yes. You’ll have full access to our database of skilled workers looking for a job.
Can I participate in the Penn Energy Savers Program?
Successful completion of the PHPP program enables an employer to be listed as a PESP Qualified Contractor, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. All eligibility requirements are described at length on the Penn Energy Savers website.