ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 03) 

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist

1

Version 3 (Rev. 03) - Effective 4/1/2011 Revised 3/25/2011 10

Home Address: City: State:

Inspection Guidelines

Must

Correct

Rater

Verified

N/A

1. Review of HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist

2

1.1 HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor checklist completed in its entirety and collected for 

records, along with documentation on ventilation system (1.3), full load calculations (2.18), AHRI 

certificate (3.15), and balancing report (10.2).

  

1.2 Review the following parameters related to system cooling design, selection, and installation from the HVAC Contractor checklist

(Contractor checklist item # indicated in parenthesis):

1.2.1 Outdoor design temperatures (2.4) are equal to the 1% and 99% ACCA Manual J design 

temperatures for contractor-designated design location

3   

1.2.2 Home orientation (2.5) matches orientation of rated home   

1.2.3 Number of Occupants (2.6) equals number of occupants in rated home

4   

1.2.4 Conditioned floor area (2.7) is within ±10% of conditioned floor area of rated home   

1.2.5 Window area (2.8) is within ±10% of calculated window area of rated home   

1.2.6 Predominant window SHGC (2.9) is within 0.1 of predominant value in rated home 5   

1.2.7 Listed latent cooling capacity (3.10) exceeds design latent heat gain (2.12)   

1.2.8 Listed sensible cooling capacity (3.11) exceeds design sensible heat gain (2.13)   

1.2.9 Listed total cooling capacity (3.12) is 95-115% (or 95-125% for Heat Pumps in Climate

Zones 4-8) of design total heat gain (2.14), or next nominal size

6   

1.2.10 HVAC manufacturer and model numbers on installed equipment, contractor checklist (3.1,

3.3, 5.1), and AHRI certificate or OEM catalog data all match

7   

1.2.11 Using reported liquid line (6.3) or suction line (6.5) pressure, corresponding temp. (as 

determined using pressure/temperature chart for refrigerant type) matches reported 

condenser (7.1) or evaporator (7.5) saturation temperature (+/- 3 degrees)

8

  

1.2.12 Calculated subcooling (7.1 minus 6.4) or superheat (6.6 minus 7.5) value equals reported 

target subcooling (7.3) or superheat (7.7) temperature

8   

1.3 Rater-verified supply & return duct static pressure <110% of contractor values (9.3, 9.4)   

2. Duct Quality Installation - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, Ventilation, Exhaust, and Pressure Balancing Ducts

2.1 Connections and routing of ductwork completed without kinks or sharp bends.

9   

2.2 No excessive coiled or looped flexible ductwork.

10   

2.3 Flexible ducts in unconditioned space not installed in cavities smaller than outer duct diameter; in 

conditioned space not installed in cavities smaller than inner duct diameter

  

2.4 Flexible ducts supported at intervals as recommended by mfr. but at a distance < 5 ft.   

2.5 Building cavities not used as supply or return ducts unless they meet items 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, and 4.2 

of this checklist.

  

2.6 HVAC ducts, cavities used as ducts, and combustion inlets and outlets may pass perpendicularly 

through exterior walls but shall not be run within exterior walls unless at least R-6 continuous

insulation is provided on exterior side of the cavity, along with an interior and exterior air barrier 

where required by the Thermal Enclosure System Rater Checklist.

  

2.7 Quantity & location of supply and return duct terminals match contractor balancing report.   

2.8 Bedrooms pressure-balanced using any combination of transfer grills, jump ducts, dedicated 

return ducts, and/or undercut doors to either: a) provide 1 sq. in. of free area opening per 1 CFM 

of supply air, as reported on the contractor-provided balancing report; or b) achieve a Ratermeasured pressure differential < 3 Pa (0.012 in. w.c.) with respect to the main body of the house

when bedroom doors are closed and the air handler is operating.

11

  

3. Duct Insulation - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, Supply Ventilation, and Pressure Balancing Ducts

12

3.1 All connections to trunk ducts in unconditioned space are insulated.   

3.2 Prescriptive Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation > R-8.

Performance Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation > R-6.   

3.3 All other supply ducts and all return ducts in unconditioned space have insulation > R-6.   

4. Duct Leakage - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, and Balanced Ventilation Ducts

4.1 Total Rater-measured duct leakage < 6 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area

13,14   

4.2 Rater -measured duct leakage to outdoors < 4 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area.

13,

14, 15   

4.3 Duct boots sealed to floor, wall, or ceiling using caulk, foam, mastic tape, or mastic paste.   

OMB Control No. 2060-0586
ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 03) 

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist

1

Version 3 (Rev. 03) - Effective 4/1/2011 Revised 3/25/2011 11

Inspection Guidelines

Must

Correct

Rater

Verified

N/A

5. Whole-Building Delivered Ventilation

5.1 Rater-measured ventilation rate is within 100-120% of HVAC contractor design value (2.11).16   

6. Controls

6.1 Air flow is produced when central HVAC fan is energized (set thermostat to “fan”).   

6.2 Cool air flow is produced when the cooling cycle is energized (set thermostat to “cool”).

17   

6.3 Heated air flow is produced when the heating cycle is energized (set thermostat to “heat”).

17   

6.4 Continuously-operating ventilation & exhaust fans include readily accessible override controls.   

6.5 Ventilation controls labeled, unless function is obvious (e.g., bathroom exhaust fan).   

7. Ventilation Air Inlets & Ventilation Source

7.1 All ventilation air inlets located >10 ft. of stretched-string distance from known contamination 

sources such as stack, vent, exhaust hood, or vehicle exhaust. Exception: ventilation air inlets in 

the wall > 3 ft. from dryer exhausts and contamination sources exiting through the roof.

18

  

7.2 Ventilation air inlets > 2 ft. above grade or roof deck in Climate Zones 1-3 or > 4 ft. above grade or 

roof deck in Climate Zones 4-8 and not obstructed by snow, plantings, condensing units or other

material at time of inspection.

  

7.3 Ventilation air inlets provided with rodent / insect screen with < 0.5 inch mesh.

19   

7.4 Ventilation air comes directly from outdoors and not from adjacent dwelling units, garages, 

crawlspaces, or attics.

  

8. Local Mechanical Exhaust

In each kitchen and bathroom, system installed that exhausts directly to the outdoors and meets one of the following Rater-measured 

airflow standards:

16, 20, 21

Location Continuous Rate Intermittent Rate 22

8.1 Kitchen > 5 ACH, based on kitchen volume

23

> 100 CFM 24   

8.2 Bathroom > 20 CFM > 50 CFM   

8.3 If fans share common exhaust duct, back-draft dampers installed.   

8.4 Common exhaust duct not shared by fans in separate dwellings.

25   

8.5 Clothes dryers vented directly to outdoors, except for ventless dryers equipped with a condensate 

drain.

  

9. Ventilation & Exhaust Fan Ratings (Exemptions for HVAC and Remote-Mounted Fans)

26

9.1 Intermittent supply & exhaust fans rated at < 3 sones by mfr., unless rated flow > 400 CFM   

9.2 Continuous supply & exhaust fans rated at < 1 sone by manufacturer.   

9.3 Bathroom fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system shall be ENERGY 

STAR qualified; unless rated flow rate > 500 CFM.

  

10. Combustion Appliances

10.1 Furnaces, boilers, and water heaters located within the home‟s pressure boundary are

mechanically drafted or direct-vented to outdoors. As an exception, atmospherically vented 

equipment is allowed in Climate Zone 1-3. For atmospherically vented furnaces, boilers, and

water heaters, the Rater has conducted BPI‟s or RESNET‟s combustion safety test procedure

and determined that the CO test results are less than 25 ppm and the combustion appliance 

zone depressurization limit is not exceeded.

27, 28, 29

  

10.2 For fireplaces that are not mechanically drafted or direct-vented to outdoors, total net rated 

exhaust flow of the two largest exhaust fans (excluding summer cooling fans) is < 15 CFM per

100 sq. ft. of occupiable space when at full capacity or the Rater has verified that the pressure 

differential is < 5 Pa using BPI‟s or RESNET‟s combustion safety test procedure.

20, 28, 29, 30, 31

  

10.3 If unvented combustion appliances other than cooking ranges are located inside the home‟s 

pressure boundary, the Rater has conducted RESNET‟s or BPI‟s combustion safety test 

procedure and determined that the ambient CO test results are less than 35 ppm.

32

11. Filtration

11.1 At least one MERV 6 or higher filter installed in each ducted mechanical system.

33   

11.2 All return air and mechanically supplied outdoor air pass through filter prior to conditioning.   

11.3 Filter located and installed so as to facilitate access and regular service by the owner.

34   

11.4 Filter access panel includes gasket or comparable sealing mechanism and fits snugly against the 

exposed edge of filter when closed to prevent bypass.

35   

Rater Name: Date Checklist Inspected: 

Rater Signature: Rater Company Name:
ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 03) 

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist

1

Version 3 (Rev. 03) - Effective 4/1/2011 Revised 3/25/2011 12

1. The HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist is designed to align with the requirements of ASHRAE 62.2-2010 and 

published addenda and ANSI / ACCA‟s 5 QI-2007 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes 

when compared to homes built to minimum code. However, these features alone cannot prevent all ventilation, indoor air quality, 

and HVAC problems, for instance those caused by a lack of occupant maintenance. Therefore, this checklist is not a guarantee of 

proper ventilation, indoor air quality, or HVAC performance. This checklist with supporting documents may also be used to 

demonstrate compliance with Indoor airPLUS specifications 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, and 7.1.

2. The Rater is only responsible for ensuring that the Contractor has completed the Contractor checklist in its entirety and verifying 

the discrete objective parameters referenced in Section 1 of this checklist, not for assessing the accuracy of the load calculations 

or field verifications included or to verify the accuracy of every input on the Contractor checklist.

3. The Rater shall either confirm that the contractor selected the geographically closest available location or collect from the 

contractor a justification for the selected location. The Rater need not evaluate the legitimacy of the justification to qualify the home.

4. The number of occupants among all HVAC systems in the home shall be equal to the number of RESNET-defined bedrooms plus 

one. Occupants listed for systems for which the header of the contractor checklist indicates that it is designed to handle temporary 

occupant loads, as defined in footnote 3 of the HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist, shall be permitted to exceed 

this limit.

5. “Predominant” is defined as the SHGC value used in the greatest amount of window area in the home.

6. For cooling systems, the next largest nominal piece of equipment may be used that is available to satisfy the latent and sensible 

requirements. Single-speed systems generally have OEM nominal size increments of 1⁄2 ton. Multi-speed or multi-stage equipment 

may have OEM nominal size increments of one ton. Therefore, the use of these advanced system types can provide extra flexibility 

to meet the equipment sizing requirements.

7. In cases where the condenser unit is installed after the time of inspection by the Rater, the HVAC manufacturer and model 

numbers on installed equipment can be documented through the use of photographs provided by the HVAC Contractor after 

installation is complete.

8. If contractor has indicated that an OEM test procedure has been used in place of a sub-cooling or super-heat process and

documentation has been attached that defines this procedure, then the box for “n/a” shall be checked for this item.

9. Kinks are to be avoided and are caused when ducts are bent across sharp corners such as framing members. Sharp bends are to 

be avoided and occur when the radius of the turn in the duct is less than one duct diameter.

10. Ducts shall not include coiled or looped ductwork except to the extent needed for acoustical control. Balancing dampers or proper 

duct sizing shall be used instead of loops to limit flow to diffusers. When balancing dampers are used, they shall be located at the 

trunk to limit noise unless the trunk will not be accessible when the balancing process is conducted. In such cases, Opposable 

Blade Dampers (OBD) or dampers that are located in the duct boot are permitted.

11. For HVAC system with multi-speed fans, the highest design fan speed shall be used when verifying this requirement.

12. EPA recommends, but does not require, that all metal ductwork (e.g., exhaust ducts, duct boots) be insulated and that insulation be 

sealed to duct boots to prevent condensation.

13. Duct leakage shall be determined and documented by a Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol only after all 

components of the system have been installed (e.g., air handler and register grilles). Leakage limits shall be assessed on a persystem, rather than per-home, basis. Testing of duct leakage to the outside can be waived if all ducts & air handling equipment are 

located within the home‟s air and thermal barriers AND envelope leakage has been tested to be less than or equal to half of the 

Prescriptive Path infiltration limit for the Climate Zone where the home is to be built.

14. For all homes that have less than 1,200 sq ft of conditioned floor area (CFA), total measured duct leakage shall be < 8 CFM25 per

100 sq. ft. of CFA and measured duct leakage to outdoors shall be < 5 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of CFA.

15. If total duct leakage is < 4 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area, or < 5 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area for 

homes that have less than 1,200 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area, then leakage to outdoors need not be tested.

16. The whole-house ventilation air flow and local exhaust air flows shall be measured by the Rater using a flow hood, flow grid, 

anemometer (in accordance with AABC, NEBB or ASHRAE procedures), or substantially equivalent method.

17. In cases where the condenser unit is installed after the time of inspection by the Rater, the Rater is exempt from verifying item 6.2 

when the condenser is for an AC unit and also item 6.3 when the condenser is for a heatpump unit.

18. The outlet and inlet of balanced ventilation systems shall meet these spacing requirements unless manufacturer instructions 

indicate that a smaller distance may be used. However, if this occurs the manufacturer‟s instructions shall be collected for 

documentation purposes.

19. Without proper maintenance, ventilation air inlet screens often become filled with debris. Therefore, EPA recommends, but does 

not require, that these ventilation air inlets be located so as to facilitate access and regular service by the owner.

20. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, an exhaust system is one or more fans that remove air from the building, causing outdoor air to enter by 

ventilation inlets or normal leakage paths through the building envelope. Examples include bath exhaust fans, range hoods, and 

clothes dryers
ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 03) 

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist

1

Version 3 (Rev. 03) - Effective 4/1/2011 Revised 3/25/2011 13

21. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, a bathroom is any room containing a bathtub, shower, spa, or similar source of moisture.

22. An intermittent mechanical exhaust system, where provided, shall be designed to operate as needed by the occupant. Control 

devices shall not impede occupant control in intermittent systems.

23. Kitchen volume shall be determined by drawing the smallest possible rectangle on the floor plan that encompasses all cabinets, 

pantries, islands, and peninsulas and multiplying by the average ceiling height for this area. Cabinet volume shall be included in the 

kitchen volume calculation.

24. If the flow rate of the selected exhaust fan is less than 5 ACH, based on kitchen volume, then a vented range hood or appliancerange hood combination is required rather than a remote fan that is not integral to the range. Also, for intermittent kitchen exhaust 

fans that are integrated with microwaves, a rated air flow rate that is > 200 CFM may be used in lieu of measuring the actual air 

flow rate.

25. Exhaust outlets from more than one dwelling unit may be served by a single exhaust fan if the fan runs continuously or if each 

outlet has a back-draft damper to prevent cross-contamination when the fan is not running.

26. Fans exempted from this requirement include HVAC air handlers and remote-mounted fans (i.e., fans outside habitable spaces, 

bathrooms, toilets, and hallways and with > 4 ft. ductwork between fan and intake grills). Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, habitable spaces 

are intended for continual human occupancy; such space generally includes areas used for living, sleeping, dining, and cooking but 

does not generally include bathrooms, toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms.

27. Per the 2009 International Mechanical Code, a direct-vent appliance is one that is constructed and installed so that all air for 

combustion is derived from the outdoor atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere. Furthermore, a 

mechanical draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means consisting of an induced 

draft portion under non-positive static pressure or a forced draft portion under positive static pressure.

28. The pressure boundary is the primary air enclosure boundary separating indoor and outdoor air. For example, a volume that has 

more leakage to outside than to conditioned space would be outside the pressure boundary.

29. Raters shall use either the Building Performance Institute‟s (BPI‟s) Combustion Safety Test Procedure for Vented Appliances or 

RESNET‟s Interim Guidelines for Combustion Appliance Testing and Writing Work Scope and be BPI-certified or RESNETaccredited to follow the protocol.

30. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010 and pub. addenda, the term “net-exhaust flow” is defined as flow through an exhaust system minus the 

compensating outdoor airflow through any supply system that is interlocked to the exhaust system. “Net supply flow” is intended to 

represent the inverse. If net exhaust flow exceeds allowable limit, it shall be reduced or compensating outdoor airflow provided.

31. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, occupiable space is any enclosed space inside the pressure boundary and intended for human activities, 

including, but not limited to, all habitable spaces, toilets, closets, halls, storage and utility areas, and laundry areas. See footnote

26 for definition of “habitable spaces”.

32. The minimum volume of combustion air required for safe operation by the manufacturer and/or code shall be met or exceeded.

Also, in accordance with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.l/NFPA54, unvented room heaters shall not be installed in 

bathrooms or bedrooms.

33. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, ducted mechanical systems are those that supply air to an occupiable space through ductwork exceeding

10 ft in length and through a thermal conditioning component, except for evaporative coolers. Systems that do not meet this 

definition are exempt from this requirement. Also, mini-split systems typically do not have MERV-rated filters available for use and 

are, therefore, also exempted under this version of the guidelines.

34. HVAC filters located in the attic shall be considered accessible to the owner if drop-down stairs provide access to attic and a 

permanently installed walkway has been provided between the attic access location and the filter.

35. The filter media box (i.e., the component in the HVAC system that houses the filter) may be either site-fabricated by the installer or 

pre-fabricated by the manufacturer to meet this requirement. These requirements only apply when the filter is installed in a filter 

media box located in the HVAC system, not when the filter is installed flush with the return grill.

EPA Form 5900-271

The government estimates the average time needed to fill out this form is 0.45 hours and welcomes suggestions for reducing this effort. Send comments (referencing OMB Control 

Number) to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. EPA (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.