DLC’s Free Heat Pump Training Is Building a Clean Energy Workforce

On a brisk morning in Pittsburgh’s Homewood neighborhood, a group of HVAC professionals gather inside the Penn College at Pittsburgh Building Performance Lab for a heat pump demonstration. They’re not just learning how the latest systems work — they’re also learning how to design and install them the right way, down to the ductwork.

This is the heart of Duquesne Light Company’s (DLC) free heat pump workforce training initiative, a partnership we launched with Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation in 2025 to fill a growing workforce gap and support the region’s clean energy transition. Nearly 20 local professionals have already completed the course, with registration now open for the next cohort with the goal of providing customers with maximum comfort and energy savings.

Gaining New Skills

For Marcus Kennedy, owner of Revive Heating and Cooling in Swissvale, DLC’s Heat Pump Design and Commissioning program couldn’t have come at a better time.

“More customers are asking about heat pumps, and you’re seeing them more in new construction, too,” said Kennedy. “To stay relevant, you have to stay up to date with what’s current."

Kennedy was among the first to complete the four-day program. He said the training helped him secure a contract installing heat pumps at an apartment building. His message to other HVAC professionals: “Don’t be afraid to learn something new. Always be growing and challenging yourself.”

Meeting Customer Demand

Once believed to be unsuitable for Pittsburgh winters, heat pumps have made major technological leaps in recent years. While gas furnaces generate heat by burning fossil fuels, heat pumps use less energy by moving heat in and out of a home. Many of today’s models keep up even on single-digit days, and when it comes to cost savings, they typically outcompete standard A/C in the summer. These features make heat pumps a cornerstone of DLC’s electrification strategy, including our Home Energy Concierge program that helps customers select the right system for their home and find vetted local professionals.

“Heat pumps are the future, and that creates a lot of economic opportunity for a skilled local workforce that can properly design and install them,” said Emily Phan-Gruber, DLC’s electrification strategy manager. “This training empowers contractors to grow their business and help lead the way to a clean energy future for all.”

Join the Clean Energy Transition

DLC’s Heat Pump Design and Commissioning program emphasizes the importance of building science to properly design and size heat pump systems for maximum comfort. It’s funded by DLC and taught by Pennsylvania College of Technology instructors, with additional skills development support from Pittsburgh Gateways.

“Our role is to recruit, support and coach contractors — not just in technical skills, but in building their businesses and pipelines for future growth,” said Karen Benner, director of building performance programs at Pittsburgh Gateways.

Upon successful completion of a course assessment, participants receive a Penn College certificate, strengthening their credentials in a competitive market.

“Then we will continue to engage with them long after the training ends, by connecting them with our network of builders and developers who will value their knowledge in this technology, and with young talent when they’re ready to grow,” said Benner.

If you’re an HVAC professional or own a Pittsburgh-area HVAC business, learn more about the program and how to register for the March 30 cohort.