The new Standard 310 (Std. 310) provides a method for evaluating the installation quality of HVAC systems. Ekotrope currently has the HVAC grading system in Beta and plans to release the working version in April. Regardless of the determined HVAC grade, the RNC Program will only use Grade III for kWh savings calculations. The RNC Program plans to consider incorporating HVAC grading fully after raters understand the new Standard and the savings impacts are analyzed. ICF will provide ample notice to raters before HVAC grading is mandatory, or impacts savings. Standard 310 applies to forced-air HVAC systems including furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps that serve family dwellings with their own HVAC system
The process is comprised of five tasks, which are explained in detail on this month’s technical bulletin.