# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

HVAC S ystem Q u a l i ty I nst a ll a tion R a ter C hecklis t 1

V e rsi o n 3 (R e v . 0 3 ) - Ef f ect i v e 4 / 1 /2 0 1 1 R e v ise d 3/25 /201 1 10 

### Ho m e Ad d re ss: C i t y : S ta t e: **I ns**  **p ec**  **t i**  **o n**  **G u**  **i d**  **e l**  **i n**  **e s**  **M u**  **s t**  **Corre c**  **t Rat**  **e r** 

**V e**  **rifi e**  **d N/A**  **1 .**  **R e**  **v i**  **e w**  **of HV** **A C**  **S y**  **s t**  **e m**  **Q u**  **a l**  **i t**  **y I**  **n s**  **t a**  **l la**  **ti o**  **n Contr** **a c**  **t or C**  **h eck**  **l i**  **s t**  2 1 .1 HVAC S ys t e m Qu a l i ty I n s t a l la t i o n C o n tra ct o r ch e c k li s t co m ple te d i n i ts e n t i re ty an d coll e ct e d fo r reco rd s , alo n g w i th d o c u men ta t io n o n v en t ila t io n s ys t e m ( 1
. 3 ) , ful l l o a d c a l cul a t i o n s ( 2
. 18 ), A H R I ce rt i fi c a te ( 3
. 15 ), an d ba l a n ci n g repo r t ( 10
. 2 )
.    1 .2 R e v ie w th e fo llo w in g pa ra me t e rs re la t e d t o s ys te m c oo li n g d e si g n , sel e ct i o n , an d in s t a lla t i o n fro m t h e HVAC Co n tra ct o r c h e c kl i s t (Co n tra ct o r ch e ck l is t i te m # i n dic a t e d i n p a ren t he s is ): 1
. 2 .1 O u t doo r d e si g n t e mpe ra t u re s ( 2
. 4 ) a re e qu a l t o t h e 1 % an d 9 9 % ACCA M anua l J d e s ig n t em p e ra t u re s f

o r c on tra ct o r- d e sig n a t e d d e si g n l o ca t io n 3    1
. 2 .2 H o m e o r i e n t a t io n ( 2
. 5 ) m a t c h e s o rie n t a t i o n o f ra t e d h o m e    1
. 2 .3 N u m b e r o f Oc c u pan ts ( 2
. 6 ) eq u a l s n u mbe r o f oc c up a n ts i n ra t e d h o m e **4**    1
. 2 .4 C o nd i t io n e d floo r a re a (2
. 7 ) i s w i t hi n ± 1 0 % o f c o ndi t io n e d fl oo r a re a o f ra t e d h o m e    1
. 2 .5 W i n d o w a re a ( 2
. 8 ) i s w i t hi n ± 1 0 % o f c a lc u la te d w ind o w a re a o f ra t e d h o m e    1
. 2 .6 P red o mi n an t w indo w SH G C ( 2
. 9 ) i s w i t hi n 0
. 1 o f p re do min a n t val u e i n ra te d h o m e **5**    1
. 2. 7 Li s t e d la te n t coo l in g cap aci ty ( 3
. 1 0 ) e x cee d s d es i g n l a ten t h e a t g ai n (2
. 12 )    1
. 2. 8 Li s t e d se n s i bl e co o li n g capa c i ty ( 3
. 1 1 ) e x ceed s d e sig n se n si b l e h ea t g ai n ( 2
. 1 3 )    1
. 2. 9 Li s t e d t o ta l c ool i n g ca pa ci ty ( 3
. 1 2 ) i s 95 - 11 5 % ( o r 95 - 1 25 % fo r H ea t P um p s i n C l i ma te Z on e s 4 - 8 ) o f d es i g n to t a l he a t gai n ( 2
. 1 4 ), o r ne x t nomi n a l s i z e 6    1
. 2.1 0 HVAC m a n u f

a ct u re r a n d m o de l nu m be rs o n i n s t a l le d equi p m e nt , con t racto r c h e c kl i s t ( 3
. 1 , 3
. 3 , 5
. 1 ), a n d AHRI ce rt i fi c a te o r OEM ca t alo g d a ta al l ma tc h 7    1
. 2
. 1 1 U s i n g re po rte d l i qu i d l i n e ( 6
. 3 ) o r s uct io n li n e ( 6
. 5 ) p re ssu re , c o rre spo n di n g t e m p . (a s de t e rmin e d u si n g p re s s u re /te mpe ra t u re cha r t fo r re f r i g e ra n t ty pe ) ma tch e s re po rte d con d en s e r (7
. 1 ) o r e vapo ra to r (7
. 5 ) s a t u ra t i o n t e mpe ra t u re (+ / - 3 d e g re e s ) 8    1
. 2.1 2 Ca l cul a t e d su b c o oli n g ( 7 .1 m in u s 6
. 4 ) o r su p e r h e a t ( 6 .6 m i n u s 7
. 5 ) v alu e eq u al s re p o rt e d t a rge t su b co o li n g ( 7
. 3 ) o r su pe r hea t ( 7
. 7 ) tem p e ra t u re 8    1 .3 Ra ter- v e r i fi e d sup p l y & re t u rn d u ct s t a t i c p re s su re < 1 10 % o f con t racto r valu e s ( 9
. 3 , 9. 4 )    **2 .**  **Du c**  **t Qu a**  **l i**  **t y**  **I n**  **s t**  **a l**  **la ti**  **o n**  - Appl i e s t o A l l Hea t ing, Coo l i n g, V en t ila t ion , E xh aus t, a n d Pr

es s ure B a la n ci

ng D u c ts 2 .1 C o nn e ct i o n s an d rou t in g o f d u ctwo rk c o m p le t e d w i t hou t ki n k s o r s ha rp be n ds
. 9    2 .2 No e x

cessi v e co i le d o r l o ope d fle xibl e d uctwo r k
. 10    2 .3 F le xibl e d u cts i n u n co n di t ione d s p ac e no t i n s t a l le d i n c av i t ie s s m al l e r th a n o u t e r d uct d iam e t e r; i n con d i t i o ne d s p ac e no t i n s t a l l e d i n ca v i t i e s s m al l e r th a n i nne r duct di a me te r    2 .4 F le xibl e d u cts s uppo r t e d a t in te r

val s a s re c o m men d e d b y m fr. b u t a t a d is ta n c e < 5 f t.    2 .5 B u il d in g ca v i t ie s no t u s e d a s sup p l y o r re t u rn d ucts u nl e s s t he y m e e t i te m s 3
. 2 , 3
. 3 , 4
. 1 , an d 4 .2 o f t h i s ch e ck l is t
.    2 .6 HVAC d ucts , ca v i t i e s u s e d a s du cts , an d c o mb u s t i o n i n l e ts a n d o u t l e ts ma y p a s s pe r p end i cu l a r l y t h rou g h e x

t e r io r wall s bu t sh a l l no t b e r u n w i t hi n e x t e r io r wal l s u n le s s a t l e as t R - 6 c o n t i n u o u s ins u la t io n i s p ro v id e d o n e x t e r io r s i d e o f th e ca v i ty , a lo n g w i th a n in t e rio r a n d e x t e r io r a i r b a rr ie r w he re requi re d b y t h e T he r m a l E nc l osu re S ys t e m R a t e r Ch e ck l is t.    2 .7 Qu a n t i ty & lo c a t i o n o f su p pl y an d re t u rn d u ct t e rm i na l s ma t c h c on tra ct o r ba l a n cin g re p o rt.    2 .8 B e d ro o m s p re ssu re - b a l a nce d u s in g an y c o m b ina t io n o f t ran s fe r g ril l s , ju m p d u cts , d ed ica te d re t u rn ducts , and /o r u n de rc u t doo rs t o e i t h e r : a ) p ro v id e 1 s q . in
. o f fre e a re a o p en i n g p e r 1 CFM o f s u ppl y a ir , a s re p o rt e d o n t h e c o n tra ct o r- p ro v ide d ba l an c i n g repo r t ; o r b ) a chie v e a Ra te rme a su re d p re ss u re d i f

fe ren t i a l < 3 Pa ( 0
. 0 1 2 i n . w . c .) w i th re sp e ct to t h e m a i n b od y o f t h e hou s e w he n bed ro o m d oo rs a re cl o s e d a n d th e ai r ha n dle r i s ope ra t in g . 1 1    **3 .**  **Du c**  **t I**  **n s**  **u la**  **t i**  **o n**  - Appl i e s to A l l He at in g, Co o l in g, S u ppl y V en t i l a t ion , a n d Pr

e s s ure B a la n cin g D uc t

s 12 3 .1 A l l con n ect io n s t o tr u n k d ucts i n un c on d i t i o ne d s p ace a r e i n sul a t ed
.    3 .2 Pr e scr ip t iv e P a t h : S up p l y ducts i n u n co n di t i on e d a tt i c h av e ins u la t i o n > R - 8. Pe r f o r m an c e Pa t

h : S u p pl y duc ts i n u n co n di t ion e d a tt i c h a v e in s ula t io n > R - 6.    3 .3 A l l o t he r su p pl y d u cts a n d al l re t u rn d u cts i n u n con d i t i o ne d sp a c e h a ve i n su l a t i o n > R- 6.    **4 .**  **Du c**  **t L**  **eak a**  **ge** - Appl i e s to A l l Hea t ing, Coo l ing, an d B ala nce d V

en t ila t io n D uc t s 4 .1 To t a l Ra t e r- me a su re d d u ct le a ka g e < 6 CF M 2 5 pe r 10 0 sq . f t
. o f co n di t ion e d fl oo r a re a 13,14    4 .2 Ra te r - me a su re d d u ct l e a kag e t o o u t d o o rs < 4 CF M 2 5 p e r 10 0 sq . f t. o f c on d i t i o ne d fl o o r a re a . 13, 14, 1 5    4 .3 D u ct b oo ts s ea l e d t o fl o o r , wal l , o r c ei l in g u s in g ca u lk , fo am , ma s t i c ta p e , o r m a s t i c p a s t e .    OMB Control No. 2060 - 0586

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

HVAC S ystem Q u a l i ty I nst a ll a tion R a ter C hecklis t 1

V e rsi o n 3 (R e v . 0 3 ) - Ef f ect i v e 4 / 1 /2 0 1 1 R e v ise d 3/25 /201 1 11 **I ns**  **p ec**  **t i**  **o n**  **G u**  **i d**  **e l**  **i n**  **e s**  **M u**  **s t**  **Cor r** **ec t**  **Rat e**  **r**

**V e**  **rifi e**  **d N/A**  **5 .**  **W h**  **o l**  **e -**  **Bui l**  **d i**  **ng D**  **e l**  **i v** **e red**  **V e**  **nt i**  **l a**  **ti o**  **n** 5 .1 Ra te r- m e asu re d v en t ila t i o n ra te i s w i t h i n 1 0 0 - 12 0 % o f HVAC con tra ct o r d e si g n valu e (2.11 ). 1 6    **6 .**  **Controls** 6 .1 A i r flo w i s p rod u ce d w he n cen t ra l HVAC fa n i s e n e rgi z e d ( se t t he rmo s t a t to “ fan ” ).    6 .2 C o o l ai r flo w i s p ro d uc e d w he n t h e c oo l in g cycl e i s e n e rg i z e d ( se t t he rmo s t a t to “ c ool ”)
. 1 7    6 .3 H ea te d a i r fl o w i s p ro du c e d w he n th e h ea t in g cycl e i s e n e rgi z e d ( se t t he rmo s t a t to “ h ea t”)
. 17    6 .4 C on t in u ou s ly- ope ra t i n g v en t il a t io n & e xhaus t f an s i n cl ud e rea d il y a c c e s s ibl e o v e rr i d e con tro l s .    6 .5 V e n t i l a t i o n c on tro l s la b ele d , un l e s s fu n ct i o n i s o b v io u s ( e . g ., ba t h ro o m e xhaus t fan ).    **7 .**  **V e**  **nt i**  **l a**  **ti o**  **n A**  **ir I**  **n le**  **ts & V** **e nt**  **i l**  **a ti**  **o n**  **S o**  **ur c**  **e** 7 .1 A l l v en t i la t io n ai r i nle ts l o ca t e d > 1 0 f t
. o f s tre tc h e d - s tr in g dis tan c e fro m k no w n co n t a m i n a t io n sou rce s s u c h a s s ta ck , v e n t, exhaus t hood , o r v e h ic l e e xhaus t. E xcep t i o n : v en t i la t i o n ai r i n l e ts i n t h e wal l > 3 f

t. fro m d rye r e xhaus ts an d c o n ta mi n a t i o n s ou rc e s e xi t in g th rou g h t h e roo f
. 18    7 .2 V e n t i l a t i o n a i r i n le ts > 2 f t
. abo v e g ra d e o r roo f d e c k i n C li ma te Z on e s 1 - 3 o r > 4 f t
. a b o v e g ra d e o r roo f d e c k i n C li m a te Z on e s 4 - 8 an d n o t o bs t ructe d b y s no w , plan t i ng s , c ond e n s in g uni ts o r o t he r ma t e ria l a t t i m e o f i ns p ect ion
.    7 .3 V e n t i l a t i o n a i r i n le ts p ro v id e d w i th rod e n t / in s ect s c ree n w i th < 0 .5 i nc h m e sh
. 19    7 .4 V e n t i l a t i o n ai r c o m e s di re ct l y fro m ou t d oo rs an d no t fr o m adj a cen t d welli n g u n i ts , ga rag es , c ra w lsp a ces , o r a tt i cs .    **8 .**  **L o**  **c a**  **l M**  **ec h**  **a n**  **ic a**  **l E**  **x h**  **a u**  **s t**  In e a c h ki tche n an d ba t h ro o m , s ys t e m i n s ta ll e d th a t e xhaus ts di re ct l y t o t h e ou td oo rs an d m ee ts on e o f t h e fo llo w in g Ra te r- me a su re d ai rflo w s t a nda rds : 1 6, 20, 21 **L oca**  **ti o**  **n Conti**  **n u**  **o us**  **R a**  **te I**  **n t**  **e rm**  **i tt**  **e nt**  **R a**  **te** 2 2 8 .1 K i tch e n > 5 ACH, b a se d o n ki tch e n vo l um e 2 3 > 10 0 CFM 24    8 .2 B a t h ro o m > 2 0 CFM > 5 0 CFM    8 .3 I f fa n s s ha re c o mm o n e xhaus t du ct, b a c k - d ra ft d a mpe rs ins tal l ed
.    8 .4 C o mm o n e xhaus t du c t no t sha re d b y fa n s i n s epa ra te d well i ng s . 25    8 .5 Cl o t h e s d rye rs v en t e d di re ct l y t o ou t d oo rs , e x cep t fo r v en t le s s d rye rs e q uip p e d w i th a c onde n sa te d rain
.    **9 .**  **V e**  **nt i**  **l a**  **ti o**  **n &**  **E x**  **h a**  **u s**  **t Fa**  **n R** **a ti**  **n gs**  **( E**  **xem p**  **t i**  **o ns**  **f or HV** **A C**  **a nd**  **R em**  **ot e**  **- M**  **o u**  **nt e**  **d Fa**  **n s**  **)** 26 9 .1 I n t e rm i tt e n t sup p l y & e xhaus t f an s ra t e d a t < 3 son e s b y m fr
. , u nl e s s ra te d fl o w > 40 0 C FM    9 .2 Co n t i n uo u s s uppl y & e xhaus t f an s ra t e d a t < 1 son e b y man u fact u re r.    9 .3 B a t h ro o m fa n s us e d a s p a rt o f a w hol e - ho u s e m e cha n i ca l v en t i l a t i o n s ys t e m s h al l b e E NE R G Y S T AR quali fi e d ; u nl e s s ra t e d fl o w ra te > 50 0 CF M
.    **10 .**  **Co m**  **b u**  **s ti**  **o n**  **A p**  **p l**  **ia n**  **ce s**  10 .1 F u r n a c e s , b o ile rs , a n d wa t e r h e a t e rs l oca te d w i t hi n th e hom e ‟ s p re s su re b o unda ry a re me c han i c a ll y d ra f

t e d o r di rect -v en t e d t o ou tdoo rs . As a n e xcep t i o n , a t m o sp h e r i c all y v en te d equi p m e n t i s a llo we d i n C li m a te Zon e 1 - 3
. Fo r a t m o s p he ri ca ll y v en t e d fu r n ac e s , bo i le rs , an d wa t e r hea t e rs , t h e R a t e r h a s c ond u ct e d BPI ‟ s o r RESNE T‟ s co m bu s t io n s a fe ty t e s t p roc ed u re an d d e t e rmin e d t h a t t h e CO t e s t re sul ts a re l e s s th a n 2 5 p p m an d t h e co m bu s t i o n a p pli a n ce z on e dep re s su r i z a t io n l i mi t i s no t e x ceed e d
. 27, 28, 29    10 .2 F o r fi rep l ac e s t h a t a re n o t me c ha n ic a ll y d ra f te d o r d i rect - v en t e d t o ou tdoo rs , t o t a l ne t ra t e d e xhaus t flo w o f t h e two la rg e s t e xhaus t fa n s ( e x clu d in g s u m me r c oo l in g fa n s ) i s < 1 5 CFM pe r 10 0 sq . f t
. o f o c cu p iab l e s pa c e w he n a t fu l l c ap a ci ty o r t h e Ra t e r h a s v e r i fie d t ha t th e p re s s u re di f fe ren t i a l i s < 5 Pa us i n g BP I ‟ s o r RESNE T‟ s c om b us t io n s afe ty tes t p ro cedu re . 2 0 , 28, 2 9, 30, 3 1    10 .3 I f un v en te d co m b u s t i o n a ppl i an c e s o t he r t ha n co o k in g r ang e s a re l o ca t e d i n s i d e t h e h ome ‟ s p re s su re bou n da ry , t h e R a t e r ha s co n du ct e d RESN E T‟ s o r BPI ‟ s co m bu s t i o n s a fe ty t e s t p roc e du re an d de t e rm i ne d t h at t h e a m b ien t CO tes t re s ul ts a re l e s s t ha n 3 5 p p m . 32 **11 .**  **F i**  **lt r** **a ti**  **o n**  11 .1 At le a s t o n e M ERV 6 o r h ighe r fil te r i n s t a ll e d i n e a c h du ct e d m e ch a ni c a l s ys te m . 33    11 .2 A l l re t u rn a i r a n d me c ha ni call y sup p li e d o u t doo r ai r p a s s th rou g h fi l t e r p r io r t o con d i t i o n ing
.    11 .3 F il t e r l o ca te d a n d i ns tal l e d s o a s to fa c i li t a te a cc e s s a n d regu l a r s e r v ic e b y th e o w ne r . 34    11 .4 F il t e r a c c e s s pa n e l i nc l u d e s g a s ke t o r c o mpa rab l e s ea li n g m ec h an i s m an d fi ts s nugl y agai n s t t h e e xpose d ed g e o f fil te r w he n c l ose d t o p re v en t b y p a s s . 35    Ra te r N a m e : Da t e Ch e c k li s t I n sp e cte d : Ra te r S i g na t u re : Ra te r C o mpan y N a me :

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

HVAC S ystem Q u a l i ty I nst a ll a tion R a ter C hecklis t 1

V e rsi o n 3 (R e v . 0 3 ) - Ef f ect i v e 4 / 1 /2 0 1 1 R e v ise d 3/25 /201 1 12 1
. T h e HVAC S ys t e m Q ual i ty I n s t a l la t i o n Ra te r Ch e ck l is t i s d esi g ne d to a l ig n w i th t h e re q ui re m en ts o f ASH RAE 6 2
. 2 - 2 01 0 a n d pub l is h e d a dd e nd a an d ANSI / AC CA‟ s 5 Q I - 20 0 7 p ro to c o l , t he reb y i mp ro v i n g t h e pe r fo r m anc e o f HVAC e qu i pm e n t i n n e w hom e s w he n com p a re d to h o me s bu il t to m i n i mu m co d e . Ho we v e r, t he s e fea t u re s al o n e c an n o t p re v en t al l v e n t i l a t i o n , i n doo r a i r qua l i ty , an d HVAC p rob l e m s , f o r i ns ta nc e t h o s e ca u se d b y a l a c k o f o c cup a n t ma i n t e n a n ce . T he refo re , t h i s c he c k l is t i s n o t a gu a ran t e e of p rope r v e n t i l a t i o n , i n doo r ai r qua l i ty , o r HVAC pe r f o r m an c e . T hi s ch e ck l is t w i th su p po r t in g d o c um e n ts ma y a ls o b e use d to dem o ns t ra te c o mpl i a n c e w i th I ndoo r ai rP L US sp e ci fic a t io n s 4
. 1 , 4
. 2 , 4
. 5 , 4
. 6 , a n d 7
. 1
. 2
. T h e Ra te r i s o n l y res p on s ib l e fo r en s u r i n g t ha t t h e Co n tra cto r ha s co m pl e t e d t h e Co n t ra ct o r ch e c k l i s t i n i ts e n t i re ty an d v e r i f y in g t h e d i sc re te obj ect i v e pa ra m e te rs re fe ren c e d i n S e ct i o n 1 o f t hi s c h e c kl i s t, n o t fo r a s se s s i n g t h e a c cu racy o f t h e l o a d ca l c u la t io n s o r fi e l d v e r i fic a t i o n s in c lud e d o r t o v e r i fy th e a c cu racy o f e v e ry inpu t o n t h e C on t racto r c he c kl i s t
. 3
. T h e Ra te r sh a l l e i t he r con fi r m t ha t t h e c on tra ct o r s e lecte d t h e g eog rap h ic a ll y c l os e s t a vaila b l e l oc a t io n o r c o ll e c t fro m t h e con t ract o r a j us t i fi ca t io n f o r t h e se l ecte d l oc a t io n . T h e R a t e r n ee d n o t e va l ua te t h e le g i t i ma cy o f t h e j us t i fi ca t io n to q u al i fy th e h o m e . 4
. T h e num b e r of o c c upa n ts a m on g a l l HVAC s ys t e m s i n t h e hom e s hal l b e e q ua l to t h e n u mbe r o f RES N E T- de fi n e d be d roo m s p l u s one . Oc cu p an ts l i s t e d f o r s ys tem s f

o r w hic h t h e h e ade r of t h e con t racto r c he c kl i s t i nd i ca te s t ha t i t i s d e si g ne d to ha n dl e t em p o ra ry oc c upa n t lo a d s , a s de fin e d i n f oo t no te 3 o f t h e HVAC S ys t e m Qu ali ty Ins tal l a t i o n C on tra ct o r C hec k li s t , s h al l b e pe rmi tte d to e x cee d t hi s l i mi t. 5
. “Predo m in a n t” i s d efi n e d a s t h e SH G C valu e u se d i n t h e g re a t es t a m oun t o f w indo w a re a i n th e ho m e . 6
. F o r co o li n g s ys t e ms , t h e ne x t la rge s t no m in a l pi e c e o f e q u i pme n t ma y b e u s e d t h a t i s a vail a bl e to sa t i s fy t h e la ten t a n d se n s i b l e requi rem e n ts . S i ng l e - s p ee d s ys t e m s g e ne ra l l y ha v e O E M nomin a l si z e i n c re me n ts o f 1⁄2 to n . M ul t i - sp e e d o r m u l t i - s t a g e e qui p men t ma y ha v e O E M nomin a l si z e i nc re men ts o f o n e to n . T he re fo re , t h e u s e o f t he s e ad va n ce d s ys t e m ty p e s c a n p ro v i d e e x tra fle xibili ty to m e e t t h e e q ui p me n t s i z in g r equi re m e n ts . 7
. In c a s e s w he re t h e con d en s e r un i t i s i ns tal l e d a f te r t h e ti m e of i n sp e ct i o n b y t h e R ate r, t h e HVAC m a nu fa ct u re r an d mo d e l num b e rs o n i ns t a ll e d e q ui p m en t c a n b e d o c u men te d t h ro ug h t h e u s e o f pho tog ra ph s p ro v ide d b y t h e HVAC Co n t ract o r a f te r ins tal l a t i o n i s c om p le t e . 8
. If con t ract o r h a s i n d i ca t e d t h a t a n O E M t es t p roc e du re h a s be e n us e d i n pl a c e o f a su b - coo l in g o r supe r- hea t p roc e s s a n d doc u me n t a t i o n h a s bee n a tta c he d t h a t d e fi n e s t h i s p ro ce d u r e , t h e n t h e bo x fo r “ n /a ” s h al l b e c h e c ke d f o r t h i s i te m . 9
. K in k s a re to b e a vo ide d an d a re ca u se d w he n d ucts a re be n t ac ro s s sha rp co rne rs s u c h a s fra m in g m e mbe rs . S h a rp b e nd s a re to b e a voi d e d a n d o cc u r w he n t h e rad i u s o f t h e t u rn i n th e du ct i s l e s s t h a n o n e d uct di a me te r. 10
. Du cts sha l l no t i n c lud e c o i le d o r loo p e d d u ctwo rk e x cep t to t h e e x

t en t need e d fo r a cou s t i c a l co n trol
. B a la n c i n g d a mpe rs o r p rop e r duct si z i n g s ha l l b e u s e d i ns te a d o f lo o p s to l im i t fl o w to di f fuse rs . W he n b al a nc i n g da m p e rs a re u s ed , t he y s h al l b e lo ca t e d a t t h e tr un k to l i mi t n ois e u n le s s t h e tr un k w il l n o t b e a c c e s si b l e w he n t h e bal a n c in g p roc e s s i s co n d u ct ed
. I n s u c h ca s es , O ppos a bl e B lad e D a m p e rs (OB D ) o r da m pe rs t ha t a re l oc a t e d i n t h e d u ct b o o t a re pe rmi tt ed
. 11
. F o r HVAC s ys t e m w i th m ul t i - s pee d f a n s , t h e h i gh e s t d es i g n f a n s pe e d s h al l b e u s e d w he n v e r i f y in g t h i s req u i re m en t
. 12
. EPA rec o mm e nd s, bu t do e s n o t req u i re , t ha t al l me ta l d uctwo rk ( e . g ., e xhaus t du cts , du ct boo ts ) b e in s ula te d a n d t h a t in sul a t io n b e sea l e d to d u ct b oo ts to p re v e n t co n de n sa t ion
. 13
. Du ct l e ak a g e sha l l b e de t e rm i n e d a n d d o cu m en te d b y a Ra te r u si n g a RES N E T - app ro v e d t e s t i n g p ro to co l o n l y a f te r a l l co m pon e n ts o f t h e s ys te m hav e bee n i ns tall e d ( e . g ., a i r h a ndle r an d re g i s t e r g ril l es ). Le a kag e l i mi ts s h al l b e a s s e s se d o n a p e r s ys t e m , ra t h e r t h a n pe r- h o m e , bas i s . T est i n g o f du ct le a ka g e to t h e o u ts id e ca n b e wai v e d i f al l d ucts & ai r h an d li n g eq u i p men t a re loc a t e d w i t h i n t h e h om e ‟ s ai r an d t he r m a l ba rri e rs AND en velop e l e ak a g e ha s b e e n tes te d to b e le s s t ha n o r e qua l to hal f o f t h e Presc rip t i v e P a th in fi l tra t io n l i mi t f o r t h e C l i ma te Zo n e w he re th e ho m e i s t o b e b ui l t. 14
. F o r a l l ho m e s t h a t h a v e l e s s t ha n 1 , 2 0 0 s q f t of c on d i t i o ne d floo r a re a (CFA), t o t a l me a su re d d uct l e ak a g e sh a l l b e < 8 C F M 2 5 pe r 10 0 sq . f t
. o f CFA an d m e asu re d d u ct l e a kag e t o o u t d o o rs s hal l b e < 5 CF M 2 5 pe r 1 0 0 s q . f t. o f CF A
. 15
. If to t a l d uct le a kag e i s < 4 C F M 2 5 pe r 10 0 sq . f t
. o f co n di t i o ne d fl o o r a re a , o r < 5 CF M 2 5 pe r 10 0 sq . f t
. of co n di t ion e d fl oo r a re a f o r hom e s t h a t h a v e l e s s t ha n 1 , 2 0 0 s q . f t
. o f con d i t i one d fl o o r a re a , t h e n l ea k ag e t o o u t d o o rs nee d no t b e t e s t e d
. 16
. T h e w hol e - ho u s e v en t il a t io n ai r flo w an d lo c a l e xhaus t a i r flo ws s ha l l b e m ea s u re d b y t h e Ra te r u si n g a fl o w hood , flo w g r id , ane m om e t e r ( i n a cco rda n c e w i th AABC, NEBB o r ASHRAE p roc e du re s ), o r s u bs tan t i all y e qui val e n t m e t h o d
. 17
. In ca s e s w he re t h e c ond e n s e r uni t i s i ns tal l e d a f te r t h e t i m e o f in s pe ct io n b y t h e Ra te r, t h e Ra te r i s e x emp t fro m v e r i f

y i n g i t e m 6
. 2 w he n th e c ond e nse r i s fo r a n AC uni t a n d a l s o i te m 6 .3 w h e n th e co n de n se r i s f o r a hea tp um p uni t. 18
. T h e ou t le t a n d i n le t of ba l a n ce d v en t ila t io n s ys t e m s sha l l mee t t he s e s p ac i n g re qui re men ts u n le s s m anu f act u re r i ns tr u ct i o n s ind i ca te t ha t a s ma l le r d i s t a n c e m a y b e u s ed
. Ho we v e r, i f t hi s o c cu rs t h e ma n u fa ct u re r‟ s i ns t ruct io n s s hal l b e col l ect e d f o r doc u me n t a t i o n p u r p o s e s . 19
. W it h o u t p rope r m a in t e na n ce , v en t ila t io n ai r in l e t sc re en s o f te n b e c o m e fil l e d w i th d eb r i s . T he re fo re , EPA re c o m men d s , bu t d oe s no t re q ui re , t h a t t h es e v e n t i l a t i o n ai r in l e ts b e lo c a t e d s o a s to fa c il i t a te a c ce s s a n d re gu l a r se r v ic e b y th e o w ne r . 20
. P e r ASH RAE 62
. 2 - 201 0 , a n e xhaus t s ys t e m i s o n e o r mo re fan s t ha t re m o v e ai r fro m t h e bui l din g , c au s in g ou tdoo r ai r to en te r b y v en t ila t io n in l e ts o r n o r m a l l e a kag e pa t h s t h ro u g h t h e b ui l d i n g en v e l ope . E x ample s i n cl ud e ba t h e x haus t f an s , ra n g e h ood s , a n d clo t he s d rye rs

# ENE R GY S TA R Qu a l i fi ed H o mes, Vers i on 3 ( R e v. 0 3 )

HVAC S ystem Q u a l i ty I nst a ll a tion R a ter C hecklis t 1

V e rsi o n 3 (R e v . 0 3 ) - Ef f ect i v e 4 / 1 /2 0 1 1 R e v ise d 3/25 /201 1 13 21
. P e r ASHRAE 6 2
. 2 - 2 010 , a b a t h roo m i s an y ro o m con tai n in g a ba t h t ub , s h o we r, spa , o r s i m i la r s ou rc e o f m o is t u re . 22
. An in t e rm i tt e n t m e cha n i ca l e x hau s t s ys t e m , w he re p ro v ided , sha l l b e de s ig n e d to ope ra te a s nee d e d b y t h e oc c upa n t. Co n tro l de v ic e s s ha l l no t i m pe d e o cc u pan t con t ro l i n i n t e rmi tten t s ys tems . 23
. K i t c h e n vol u m e sh a l l b e d e t e rmin e d b y d ra w in g t h e sm a ll e s t po s si b l e recta ng l e o n t h e fl o o r pl a n t h a t e n c o mp a s s e s a l l cab i ne ts , pan tr i es , i s lan d s , a n d p en i ns ul a s a n d m ul t i pl y in g b y th e a v e rag e c ei l in g he i gh t f o r th i s a re a . Ca bin e t vol u m e s ha l l b e i n cl u de d i n t h e ki t c he n volu m e c al c ul a t io n . 24
. If t h e fl o w ra te o f t h e se l ecte d e xhaus t fa n i s l e s s t ha n 5 A C H, bas e d o n k i tc he n vo l um e , t he n a v en te d ra n g e h o o d o r a ppl i a n c e rang e hoo d c o mb i na t io n i s req ui re d ra t he r t ha n a re mo te fa n t ha t i s n o t i n t eg ra l to t h e ran g e . A l s o , fo r in te r m i tten t k i t c h e n e xhaus t fan s t h a t a re in teg ra t e d w i th mic ro wa v es , a ra t e d ai r fl o w ra te t ha t i s > 20 0 CFM ma y b e use d i n lie u of me a su r i n g t h e act u a l a i r flo w ra t e . 25
. E xhaus t o u t l e ts fro m mo re t h a n o n e d well i n g u n i t m a y b e se r v e d b y a si n gl e e xhaus t fa n i f t h e fa n r u n s c on t i nu o usl y o r i f e a c h ou t l e t h a s a ba c k - d ra ft d am p e r t o p re v e n t c ro s s - c o n ta mi n a t i o n w he n th e f a n i s n o t r u nni n g . 26
. F an s e xemp t e d fro m t h i s req ui re m en t i n clu d e HVAC ai r h a ndle rs a n d re mo te - m o un te d f an s ( i
. e ., fa n s o u ts id e ha b i t a b l e s pa c e s , ba t h ro o m s , to ile ts , a n d h a ll wa ys an d w i th > 4 f t. d uctwo rk b etwee n fa n an d in t a k e g ril l s ). P e r ASHRAE 6 2
. 2 - 2 0 10 , h abi ta bl e s pa c e s a re in tend e d fo r c on t i nu a l h u m a n o c cu p ancy ; s uc h sp a c e g e ne ra l l y inc l ud e s a re a s u se d fo r li v ing , s le e pi n g , di n in g , an d c o oki n g bu t doe s no t ge n e ra l l y in c lud e ba t h roo m s , toi l e ts , h a ll wa ys , s t o rag e a rea s , c lo s e ts , o r u t i l i ty ro oms . 27
. P e r t h e 2 00 9 I n t e r n a t i o na l M ech a ni c a l Co d e , a d i re ct - v en t app l ia n c e i s o n e t ha t i s co n s tr u ct e d a n d i ns tal l e d s o t ha t al l a i r f o r co m bu s t io n i s de ri v e d fro m t h e ou tdoo r a t m os p he re an d al l flu e ga s e s a re d i s cha rge d to t h e o u ts i d e a t m o sp h e re . F u rt h e r mo re , a me c han i c a l d ra ft s ys t e m i s a ven t i n g s ys t e m d e si g ne d to re mo v e fl u e o r v en t g as e s b y m ech a ni c a l me a n s co n s i s t i n g of a n i nd u ce d d ra ft p o rt i o n u n de r no n - p o s i t i ve s t a t i c p re ssu re o r a fo rce d d r a ft po r t io n un d e r p o si t i v e s ta t i c p re s su re . 28
. T h e p res s u re b ou n da ry i s t h e p r ima ry a i r e n c l osu re b o unda r y sepa ra t in g in d oo r a n d o u t d o o r ai r. F o r e x amp l e , a vo l um e t ha t h a s more le a ka g e t o ou tsid e th a n to c o ndi t ion e d s pa ce woul d b e ou ts id e t h e p re s su re bo u nda ry . 29
. Ra te rs sh a l l us e ei t he r t h e B uil d in g P e rfo rma n c e I ns t i t u te ‟ s (BPI ‟ s ) C om b us t io n S a fe ty Tes t Pro c e du re f o r V e n t e d A p p lia n c e s o r RES N E T‟ s I n t e r i m G u ide l in e s fo r Co m b us t i o n A p pl i an c e Tes t i n g a n d W ri t in g W o rk S c o p e an d b e BP I - c e rt i fie d o r RES N E Tacc redi te d to fo l lo w th e p ro t oc o l
. 30
. P e r ASH RAE 62
. 2 - 201 0 a n d pub
. a d den d a , th e t e rm “ ne t - e xhaus t flo w” i s de fin e d a s fl ow t h roug h a n e xhaus t s ys t e m min u s t h e co m pe n sa t i n g ou t d oo r ai r f l o w t h rou g h an y su p pl y s ys te m t h a t i s i n t e rl o c ke d to t h e e xhaus t s ys t e m . “ N e t s up p l y flo w” i s i n t en d e d to rep re s en t t h e in v e rs e . If n e t e xhau s t flo w e x ceed s allo wab l e l imi t , i t sh a l l b e re du c e d o r c o m pen s a t i n g o u t doo r ai r flo w p ro v ided
. 31
. P e r ASH RAE 62
. 2 - 2 010 , o c c u pia b l e s pa ce i s an y e nc l os e d sp a c e i ns i d e t h e p re s su re bo u nda ry an d in tend e d fo r hu m a n act i v i t i e s , inc l ud i ng , b u t no t li m i t e d t o , al l hab i t a b l e s p a c es , toi l e ts , cl o se ts , ha l ls , s t o rag e a n d u t ili ty a rea s , a n d lau n d ry a rea s . S e e foo t n o te 2 6 f o r de fi n i t io n o f “ h a bi tabl e s pac e s ”. 32
. T h e min i mu m vo lu m e o f c o m bus t io n a i r re q ui re d fo r s a fe o pe ra t i o n b y t h e ma n u f a ct u re r and /o r co d e s h al l b e m e t o r e x ceede d
. A lso , i n a c c o rd a nc e w i th t h e Na tio n a l F ue l G a s Co d e , A NSI Z 223
. l /NFPA5 4 , un v en te d ro o m h e a t e rs s h al l n o t b e ins tal l e d i n ba t h ro o m s o r bed ro o m s . 33
. P e r ASH RAE 62 .2 - 20 1 0 , d ucte d m ec h an i c a l s ys te m s a r e t h os e tha t s u ppl y a i r to a n o cc up iab l e s pa c e t h rou g h d uct wo rk e xceedi n g 1 0 ft i n l eng t h a n d t h ro u g h a t he rma l c on d i t i o nin g c o m po n en t, e x cep t fo r e vapo ra t i v e c ool e rs . S ys te m s t ha t d o no t mee t t h i s de fi n i t i o n a re e x

emp t fro m t h i s requi rem e n t. A l so , mi n i - s pli t sys t em s ty pi c all y d o no t h a v e M ERV - ra t e d fil te rs a va il a bl e fo r us e a n d a re , t h e re fo re , a ls o e x

emp t e d unde r t h i s v e rs i o n o f t h e g u ide l ine s . 34
. HVAC fil t e rs l oca te d i n t h e a tt i c s hal l b e c o ns i de re d a c ce s sib l e to t h e o w ne r i f d ro p - d ow n s t ai rs p ro v id e a cc e s s to a tti c a n d a pe r m a nen t l y i n s t a l le d walkwa y ha s be e n p ro v i d e d b e twee n t h e a tt i c a c ce s s l oc a t i o n a n d t h e fil te r. 35
. T h e fil t e r me d i a bo x ( i
. e ., t h e comp o nen t i n t h e H VAC s ys t e m t ha t ho u s e s t h e fil te r) ma y b e ei t he r s i t e -f ab ri ca te d b y t h e ins t a lle r o r p re -fab ric a t e d b y t h e ma n u fa ct u re r to m ee t t h i s re qui rem e n t
. T hes e req u i re m en ts onl y a p pl y w he n t h e fil t e r i s i n s t a ll e d i n a fi l te r med i a bo x lo c a t e d i n t h e HVAC s ys t e m , n o t w he n th e fil te r i s ins tal l e d flu s h w i th th e re t u rn g r ill
.

EPA Form 5900 - 271 The government estimates the average time needed to fill out this form is 0.45 hour s 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
.