RESNET® and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have teamed up to create a joint ANSI standard on the evaluation of HVAC installation. The goal of this work is the development of a RESNET/ACCA ANSI Candidate Standard 310 “Standard for Grading the Installation of HVAC Systems”. The standard was developed over the past year and a half in collaboration with ACCA, the EPA, and HERS® industry experts. It creates criteria for the grading of HVAC installation and includes a non-invasive system test for HVAC systems. This new standard rewards high-quality HVAC design and installation with HERS® points. This is a major opportunity for the HERS® Industry and builders. Research shows that in some climate zones Grade I installation could reduce HERS® Index Scores by as much as 6 points. In order to give the industry maximum time to review and understand this important proposed standard amendment, RESNET is posting the draft standard 30 days before the formal public review and comment process begins. After the 30-day preview, there will be an official 60-day public comment period. To download the draft standard, click on Standard for Grading the Installation of HVAC Systems An appendix, Design Temperature Limits by State and County, and U.S. Territory has also been developed that identifies design temperature limits. A recent RESTalk podcast episode about the new standard featured Dean Gamble of the EPA and Wes Davis with ACCA. To listen to the podcast go to http://restalk.libsyn.com/ There was also a very popular session at the 2019 RESNET Building Performance Conference about this new standard. Click on Conference Presentation to view the slides from the presentation. RESNET will be hosting a webinar on the proposed amendment in April, so look out for the announcement in the coming weeks.
