PTCS QA and Training
FY 2007 findingsBruce Manclark, Bob Davis,
Jennifer Williamson, Martín Wilson, Ken Eklund
Overview• QA summary• Lessons learned from QA• BPA PTCS plans for this year• PTCS training
QA OverviewThis is the first round of heat pump and
duct inspections that has been done (other than STAC detailed monitoring).
Elements looked at– Duct leakage – HP controls, airflow, charge
While not as comprehensive as STAC, the results of our QA are generally encouraging.
QA AgentsAlan VanZuuk
– NW ENERGY STAR– Home Builder
Bob Davis– Ecotope– STAC Monitoring
Bruce Manclark– Delta T– Pasture Golf
Bruce Manclark – Pasture Golf Champion of Goldendale WA
PTCS Summary– Total installers – 250 have done at least
1– Total heat pumps + duct sealing done –
510– Total duct seals done – 1,500– Total heat pumps done – 1,300This flux capacitor
is miscalibrated.
QA SummaryDuct Sealing
– 1,500 Systems done, 55 inspected– 50 passed, 5 failed and had follow up– 23 contractors have done 5 or more
Heat Pump (including duct sealing)– 510 Systems done, 43 inspected– 34 passed, 9 failed and had follow up– 54 contractors have done 5 or more
The goal is to inspect 10% of all systems
Examples of Failed QA Notes
Ducts
“QA measured 170 CFM50 both sides to out vs. installer’s 116. House is 1400 ft2. The system is too leaky to meet 10% criteria. “
“QA measured 101 cfm50 leakage to outside, a 3 cfm50 reduction from the original test. The target is 56 cfm50.The original duct sealing form submitted by the contractor stated 63 cfm50. “
Examples of Failed QA Notes
Heat Pumps
“QA measured 305 CFM per ton. QA recommends the technician increase the airflow to at least 350 CFM per ton.”
“Controls: Outdoor sensor for ODT installed too close to hot vapor line; sensor reads warmer than actual temperature. Strip heat stays off even when it would be appreciated by the occupants.”
QA – Some issues we saw– One brand of heat pumps generally needs
to have the outdoor unit size tap set ½ ton larger than the actual system size to get the desired airflow
– Control of strip heat • With training and improved thermostats, this
has gotten easier to do right• Utilities now check them often, so they are more
consistently correct– Sizing, while not addressed in detail, could
be
Failed Heat Pumps
9
34
FailPass
5
3
1
Airflow
Charge
Controls
Portion of test failedAll heat pump QA
79% passed
QA – What We LearnedWe’re still in the early phase of this project;
with more QA, we will have a clearer picture of performance.– Installs are generally pretty good– Many fails are on the new parts of the
commissioning (controls, TrueFlow, etc.)– QA works. It adds value and improves program
credibility with installersIncreased utility personnel capability. (i.e.,
they can go into Honeywell 8000 thermostat and see the outdoor lockout setting)
QA – Remaining Challenges– New technologies (9.0 HSPF, 15 SEER,
everything has Vista) can be troublesome– Even with QA, we don’t measure energy
savings over time, just a snapshot of performance
– Coordination of QA visits is tougher than we thought
STAC – In ComparisonSTAC monitoring showed generally
good performance, at least after problems were identified and fixed. Some findings that deserve attention:
• Dual stage compressors – some are lemons
• Energy usage for the defrost cycle flies below ARI's radar (but field adjustments can limit the damage)
ENERGY STAR• We don’t inspect ENERGY STAR jobs
(but we do inspect new construction heat pumps)
• 6 were inspected in Bend and Vancouver– 1 failed (the compressor wouldn’t start)
CheckMe!• 12 CheckMe! heat pumps were
inspected• 2 failed
– 1 outdoor sensor installed near a warm liquid line
– 1 had low airflow
Utilities• Some utilities come to inspections,
and the help is always appreciated• Having a local active utility is a big
factor in getting good QA results• Utilities seem to generally be
appreciative of QA
QA in FY2008We have a projected 3,000 systems in
FY2008, which means we will do 300 QA inspections. – We would like to refine the sampling to
focus QA where it is most needed• Lower inspection rate for contractors with
demonstrated capability• Get to far flung reaches of the territory
– We will increase our pool of knowledge
Training OverviewHigh demand for training caused us to
evaluate how to increase capacity to certify new technicians.
As a result, “The Goldendale Summit” was convened, with the following result:
Master TechnicianThe “Master Technician” path will
allow specific qualified technicians or utility staff to train technicians in their territory
This will be people like Bryan Boe, Zach Erdmann, Mattias Jarvegren (Clallam PUD), Darryl Knabe (Mountain View Heating), etc.
TrainingThis new way to deliver training will
complement, not replace current classroom based training.
It will be a good way to increase response to demand for training new technicians
Thanks to Ken Eklund for writing updated PTCS Provider Standards
Master Technician Qualifications
Minimum 2 years full time experience (or equivalent)
ANDMinimum 30 systems tested or
commissionedOR
An individual may be certified as a PTCS Trainer by an existing Trainer based on direct observation of the individual’s classroom and field instruction.
Trainer’s Latitude• New trainers can certify in their
vicinity or company• They are responsible for producing
technicians who can meet PTCS specs (and may lose their trainer status)
• Trainers are responsible for notifying Ecos when they believe a technician is ready to be tested
• Ecos is evaluating using online testing
Certification PathMaster technician provides on the job
training and hands on field work.– Follows current curriculum– Sets the pace and structure for each
tech– Integrates with the firms needs– Has a vested interest in doing a good
job, because certification can be revoked
Classroom TrainingThe BPA is moving to a 50% cost sharing
requirement for training in 2008.
– 1 Day Heat Pump Training - $2,000
– 3 Day Duct Sealing Training - $3,400
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