Changing Installation Practices of A/C Installers: Three Years of Results

Michael Stockard, TXU Electric Delivery
Phil Audet and Jay Zarnikau, Frontier Associates

Keywords

Abstract

As new federal air conditioning efficiency standards are implemented, the potential for achieving incremental savings by promoting higher efficiency equipment is becoming limited. Nonetheless, significant savings can be obtained by promoting better installation and sizing practices. This paper reports on one large utility’s results in implementing a market transformation program to improve AC installation practices.

In 2003, TXU Electric Delivery began implementing an AC Installer and Information Market Transformation Program. This program was designed to encourage quality installation practices based upon the Consortium for Energy Efficiency Quality Installation Standards. The impacts of this program were measured by comparing the installation practices of installers who had completed training efforts offered through the program against those of nonparticipating air conditioning technicians, both within the utility’s service area and in adjacent utility service areas.

For the past three years, annual surveys of participants and non-participants have been conducted. The results of these surveys indicate that:

Participating installers are more likely than non-participants to install complete HVAC systems (ARI-matched condensing unit and coil) in retrofit applications when only one of the components fails.
Relative to non-participants, participating installers have a higher percentage of their installations in the 13-16 SEER range, and a lower percentage in the 10-11.9 SEER category.
Installer program participants are more likely to install correctly-sized units in retrofit applications, and more likely to include duct leakage testing and sealing in new construction installations.
Program participants are more likely to use longer-lasting materials to seal ductwork than non-participants.