EPA is currently working with Pacific Gas & Electric to pilot an air conditioner quality installation program that combines Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Quality Installation Specification, ENERGY STAR marketing materials and label, and existing PG&E air conditioner programs.
The purpose of the pilot is to:
1) understand the costs and time for contractors to fully implement the ACCA Quality Installation Specification
and
2) assess the impact of the ENERGY STAR brand on selling quality installation
PG&E is providing incentives to contractors and customers for the pilot.
The pilot will be offered in the form of an integrated HVAC installation and duct-sealing package that essentially combines two existing PG&E programs, but adds additional requirements and incentives.
It will cover an anticipated 100 homes with five contractors covering 20 installations each. The pilot will focus on the Central Valley, where cooling needs are higher than the coast and where existing California Title 24 requirements are most stringent.
The installations are planned to occur in July and August 2006, depending on recruiting success.
The 100 installations will be remotely verified by California Energy Commission-approved Verification Service Providers (VSP) that already work in PG&E’s territory: Proctor Engineering, Enalasys and Robert Mowris & Associates.
One-quarter of the houses will be field verified with airflow, refrigerant charge and duct leakage directly measured. Of these houses, 10 will be examined before and after the replacement installation.
These additional measurements will give insight into savings from early replacement.
Contact Dale Hoffmeyer of EPA’s ENERGY STAR program at 202-343-9013 for more information about the pilot.
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