The Technician's Guide equips practitioners with the knowledge to properly implement all of the measurement procedures required in the HVAC QI Specification.

For ease of use, the Technician's Guide closely follows the outline of the HVAC QI Specification and uses the same numbering system. The guide provides a broad perspective on available HVAC measurement tools and includes instructions on the measuring methods mentioned in the HVAC QI Specification. Numerous examples and illustrations address various types of testing and diagnostic tools and equipment.

A skilled technician, with the appropriate tools, will find the guide helpful to perform verifiable and repeatable HVAC measurements. Contractors and their technicians will find the guide to be valuable in the identifying and selecting appropriate measurement tools and instrumentation for undertaking HVAC installation and maintenance checks.

1.0 PURPOSE (Reference: §1.0 of the HVAC QI Specification)
The HVAC Quality Installation Specification establishes the proper installation criteria for residential and commercial HVAC systems. When the total QI installation is completed, occupant/owner demands for energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality will be met for commercial and residential applications. Further the occupant/owner will be provided with all of the essential information for maintaining and servicing the new equipment.

2.0 SCOPE (Reference: §2.0 of the HVAC QI Specification)
This document directly follows the outline of the HVAC QI Specification and illustrates procedures for gathering information and acceptable formats for meeting the requirements in the HVAC QI Specification.

Equipment sizes and types are defined and covered in §2.1 and §2.2 of the HVAC QI Specification. Single-and multi-zone residential and commercial cooling and heating equipment are addressed by the HVAC QI Specification Values are listed below:

Residential Equipment Reference: §2.0 of the HVAC QI Specification):
a) Unitary air conditioners and air-source/water-source heat pumps up to 65,000 BTU/H
b) Furnaces (gas-fired, oil-fired, electric, and other) up to 225,000 BTU/H
c) Boilers up to 300,000 BTU/H

Commercial Equipment (Reference: §2.0 of the HVAC QI Specification): a) Unitary equipment (packaged and split) greater than 65,000 BTU/H
b) Furnaces greater than 225,000 BTU/H
c) Boilers greater than 300,000 BTU/H
d) Residential equipment used in commercial three-phase applications.

Note: Due to differing design aspects and control/operation situations, built-up systems (i.e., chillers, custom or specialty-built penthouse units, etc.) are not included in the QI Specification. Buildings employing built-up systems are generally designed by architects or professional engineers. Additionally, commercial buildings using built-up equipment are more likely to benefit from increased owner scrutiny via building commissioners, owner agents, etc.

From the Introduction
This Guide explains the HVAC Quality Installation (QI) Specification procedures. Steps that are necessary for the technician to complete and document for compliance with HVAC QI Specification are discussed in detail. A skilled technician with the appropriate tools and manufacturer's manuals can follow the instructions in this guide to obtain data and measurements that are verifiable and repeatable. For equipment that is properly designed and installed the data and measurements are documented as instructed in the guide, all of the requirements in the HVAC QI Specification will be met.

The guide follows the outline of the HVAC QI Specification and uses the same numbering system for ease of use as a reference. Included in this guide are generic instructions on the use of measurement tools mentioned in each section of the HVAC QI Specification. Examples and illustrations include various types of testing and diagnostic instrumentation and equipment. This guide provides a broad perspective on available tools, with emphasis on tools specifically mentioned in the HVAC QI Specification. Technicians can use this guide to help in the selection of an appropriate measurement instrument for a specific job.

The HVAC QI Specification's design sections (sizing, duct design, and equipment selection) are covered briefly in the Technician's Guide, with focus on the required documentation. ACCA has established manuals to aid in all facets of design. Manual J, Manual D, Manual N, Manual S, Manual RS, Manual T, Manual Q, and Manual CS, or other approved methods for designing need to be utilized for a system installation to be compliant with the HVAC QI Specification.

The HVAC QI Specification requires the installing contractor to provide equipment documentation, and owner/operator, operation instructions. Documentation generated by following the directions in each of the guide's procedural sections can be combined by the contractor to meet the System Documentation and Owner Education Aspects section of the HVAC QI Specification's requirements.

In the guide, generic directions are given for measuring methods to provide technicians with a snapshot of what each procedure will entail. Directions given are intended as a supplement, and are not to be used as a replacement for individual tool manufacturer's manuals or instructions.

Errors that frequently occur in the field are identified where pertinent, to save technicians time and costly mistakes.

For clarity and consistency the symbol for section (§) will be used exclusively when the referenced section refers to the HVAC QI Specification. If the word section is used it refers to sections in this guide.

Appendixes 1 through 7 were developed to help technicians by providing details on math procedures, general information on tools, complete instructions for some required tests, and sample charts for organizing and recording data.

The Technician's Guide for Quality Installation was written to provide every technician with all of the information necessary to complete a HVAC QI Specification.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1.0 Purpose. 2.0 Scope. 3.0 Equipment Aspects. 4.0 Equipment Installation Aspects. 4.1 Airflow across Indoor Heat Exchangers. 4.2 Refrigerant Charge. 4.3 Electrical Requirements. 4.4 On-Rate for Fuel-Fired Equipment. 4.5 Combustion Venting System. 4.6 System Controls. 5.0 Duct Distribution Aspects. 5.1 Duct Leakage. 5.2 Airflow Balance. 6.0 System Documentation and Owner Education Aspects. 6.1 Proper System Documentation to the Owner. 6.2 Owner/Operator Education. Appendices: Appendix 1 Quick Math Review. Appendix 2 Air Balance/Test Forms and Traverse Directions. Appendix 3 Altitude Conversion Factors. Appendix 4 Static Pressure Probes. Appendix 5 Tools. Appendix 6 Fan Laws and Motor, Pulley and Belt Formula. Appendix 7 Commercial Proportional Air Balance.