CEE and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) are discussing possible terms for a licensing agreement that would allow CEE and its members to use ACCA’s specification for the quality installation of HVAC equipment.

The ACCA specification is expected to be finalized in March 2007. With a licensing agreement in place, CEE members would be able to use the technical requirements of the ACCA specification without special permission or additional cost.

These technical requirements can be utilized in HVAC programs to define the minimum requirements for an energy-efficient installation.

When the federal minimum standard increased to SEER 13 in 2006, the potential energy savings from more efficient HVAC equipment diminished; many members feel quality installation (QI) is a better opportunity for optimizing system performance – and saving energy.

The ACCA specification would provide a technical standard that has universal support, particularly among HVAC contractors.

The specification addresses installation practices that involve sizing/selection, refrigerant charge, airflow and ducts/distribution. The ACCA specification could also be integrated into the ENERGY STAR^® program, which is hoping to launch a quality installation program in 2008.

In 2006, Pacific Gas & Electric hosted a pilot for ENERGY STAR, testing use of the ACCA specification by local contractors. Southern California Edison and TXU Electric Delivery have agreed to run ENERGY STAR pilot programs in 2007 to test the feasibility and cost of meeting the ACCA specification.

These pilots shall also begin to ascertain the value of the ENERGY STAR brand in the promotion of QI.

The final hurdle for completion of the ACCA specification is recognition by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Since there can be only one ANSI standard for a given technical specification, ANSI recognition would establish the ACCA quality installation specification as the only standard of its kind.

ANSI, a nonprofit organization, is the primary administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization systems.

If and when ANSI recognition is awarded, CEE’s Residential HVAC Committee will review the technical requirements of the specification. If appropriate, the committee will then recommend that the CEE Board of Directors incorporate the technical requirements of the ACCA specification into CEE’s Residential HVAC Initiative.

Should the Board elect to adopt the specification, potential next steps to advance market acceptance might include press releases to trade journals, wide distribution to HVAC installation stakeholders and the development of recommended guidelines for verifying adherence to the QI specification.

As a member of the ACCA Quality Installation Committee, CEE’s John Taylor has participated in the specification development process over the past 18 months to help ensure it would further CEE member program objectives. Five other CEE members are also serving on the committee, further bolstering its ability to support voluntary efficiency programs.

There is widespread agreement among CEE members that one of the major barriers to quality installation is the lack of clear guidelines supported by key industry stakeholders. Members also see great value in using the ENERGY STAR brand as a symbol and marketing platform for QI programs.

Thus the finalization of the ACCA specification could be a significant step in the development of a national approach to quality installation.

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