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Overview of the HVAC System Quality Installation (QI) Contractor ChecklistTurn on your speakers and click the Play button at right to begin1Overview of the HVAC System Quality Installation (QI) Contractor Checklist

Thank you for listening to this presentation on the ENERGY STAR HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist.2OverviewPurpose of the HVAC System QI Contractor Checklist.Discussion of credentialing requirements for HVAC contractors. How to learn more and get started.3

Well start with a brief overview of why HVAC quality installation and performance is critical to the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program. As part of this discussion we will introduce the HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist and explain its purpose and scope. Next well explain the HVAC contractor credentialing requirement and the process by which HVAC contractors can become credentialed. After that we will provide information on how to learn more and get started. 34Importance of HVACQuality Installation and Performance

Now lets discuss the importance of HVAC Quality Installation and Performance.4Why is HVAC quality installation and performance important?Correct Sizing & InstallationVentilationSealed, Insulated & Balanced Ducts5Increased Energy EfficiencyGreater ComfortImproved DurabilityImproved Indoor Air Quality

To start lets lay out why HVAC quality installation and performance are central to the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program. HVAC systems that are properly designed and installed increase energy efficiency and provide homeowners with greater levels of comfort while improving durability and indoor air quality. All of these benefits tie into the central values of the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program, which are to provide homeowners with high-quality energy efficient homes. In addition, quality installed HVAC systems can help reduce call-backs for HVAC contractors, saving them both time and money.In order to accomplish these goals, HVAC systems need to meet a number of criteria. **ANIMATE**They must be correctly sized and installed; connected to a well-sealed, insulated, and balanced duct system; and provide sufficient ventilation. ENERGY STAR has developed the HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist in order to ensure that these elements are incorporated into every certified home. 5HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist

DesignInstallation6

Now lets discuss the scope of the HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist in a bit more detail.The HVAC contractor checklist applies to ventilation systems, plus most air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heatpumps, and furnaces.The checklist is made up of 12 sections and can be divided into two primary parts, one that includes the design requirements and another that includes the installation requirements.6

Sections 1-5: HVAC system design

VentilationDesignHeating & Cooling Design CalculationsHVAC Equipment Selection7

First well go into the details of the design portion of the checklist.Section 1 of the checklist includes the design requirements for the whole-building mechanical ventilation system that is required to be installed in every certified home.Section 2 includes documentation of inputs and outputs from the heating and cooling design calculations; including things such as the size of the home, orientation, and design temperatures used.Sections 3-5 ask for the specifications of the selected cooling and heating equipment. Both HVAC contractors and builders can fill out sections 1-5.7Sections 6-12: In-field quality installation

150 btu100 btu100 btu100 btu150 btu300 btus out & 300 btus in

Metering DeviceEvaporatorCompressorCondenser

Refrigerant TestingElectrical & Airflow MeasurementsAir Balancing8Drain Pan & System Controls

The second portion of the checklist focuses on the in-field quality installation of the HVAC equipment.

Sections 6 & 7 requires testing of the refrigerant charge and documenting that it matches the manufacturer-recommended target. This can be done using the subcooling or superheat methodology, or an equivalent OEM-approved procedure.

Sections 8 requires a few quick simple tests to ensure that the system is operating within the electrical limits specified by the manufacturer.

Section 9 requires that the air flow be measured at the evaporator and be within 15% of the design airflow.

Section 10 requires measuring and balancing the airflow at each supply and return register to within 25 CFM or 20% of the room-level design.

Section 11 & 12 requires a quick simple visual inspection of the system controls and the drain pan.

Unlike Sections 1-5 discussed on the last slide, these items in Section 6 through 12 can only be completed by a credentialed HVAC contractor. 8Participation and Credentialing Requirements9

Now that weve provided an overview of the HVAC contractor checklist and explained its purpose, lets discuss how contractors can participate.

9Contractor participation in the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes programContractors must be credentialed to participate.HVAC QI Training & Oversight Organizations (H-QUITOs) provide the credential, plus training & oversight.EPAH-QUITOHVAC ContractorH-QUITOH-QUITOHVAC ContractorHVAC ContractorHVAC ContractorHVAC Contractor10

HVAC contractors who want to participate in the ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Program must be credentialed by an HVAC Quality Installation Training and Oversight Organization, also known as an H-QUITO. H-QUITOs are independent, third-party organizations that provide the required credential to HVAC contractors, along with training and oversight activities.

A contractor applies for the credential directly from an H-QUITO of their choice. Earning the credential demonstrates that the contractor is prepared to offer the HVAC quality installation and performance elements we described earlier. In addition, the contractor agrees to adhere to the oversight and quality assurance requirements defined by the H-QUITO.

Once credentialed, HVAC contractors gain access to the ENERGY STAR builder partners, who they can then work with to build high quality ENERGY STAR certified homes.

10How to Learn More & Get Started11

Now lets learn more about how to get started.11ENERGY STAR resources@energystarhomes

facebook.com/energystar

Joinan HVAC contractor credentialing programwww.energystar.gov/newhomesHVACFind ENERGY STAR partnerswww.energystar.gov/partnerlocatorRead the technical guidelineswww.energystar.gov/newhomesguidelinesAsk questionsenergystarhomes@energystar.gov12

The ENERGY STAR program has a dedicated page for HVAC contractors interested in participating in the Certified Homes program: www.energystar.gov/newhomesHVAC. This page provides links to the available HQUITOs, training and educational resources, and other valuable contractor resources.

The second webpage listed links to the participating ENERGY STAR builder and Rater partners that contractors are eligible to work with after becoming credentialed.

And the third webpage links to the full ENERGY STAR Certified Homes technical guidelines, including the HVAC System QI Contractor Checklist.

If you have any questions about the HVAC credentialing process or the Certified Homes program in general feel free to contact us at energystarhomes@energystar.gov.

Thank you for listening.12