The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has been informed that, in some instances, practitioners have been working without their licence or registration when installing heat pumps.
All prescribed plumbing work must be performed by a VBA-accredited plumbing practitioner or by an apprentice working under the supervision of a VBA-licensed plumbing practitioner.
If a heat pump water heater installation involves removing a gas water heater, gasfitting is the relevant class of plumbing work. Gasfitting differs in nature, complexity, and risk. For this reason, gasfitters need to be qualified for and experienced with the type of appliance on which they work.
If the installation of the heat pump water heater requires connecting refrigerant pipework, the plumber must be accredited in water supply and refrigerated air conditioning.
If the heat pump water heater installed is a self-contained unit or does not require the connection of refrigerant pipework, the plumber needs to be accredited in the water supply.
If a gas water heater is being removed and a heat pump water heater is installed by the same plumber, requiring the connection of refrigerant pipework, they need to be accredited in gasfitting work, water supply and refrigerated air conditioning.
Solar Homes Program hot water retailers must use plumbers with the appropriate VBA accreditation. Plumbing work carried out without this accreditation carries penalties.
To learn more about the legal obligations surrounding the installation of heat pumps, review the VBA’s upcoming webinar, Navigating Regulations: Ensuring Compliant Heat Pump Hot Water System Installations, which took place on Thursday, December 5.
Use the VBA’s Find a Practitioner tool to check what class(es) a plumber is licensed or registered in.
Learn more about heat pump installations by visiting the VBA website.
