Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing

Duct Measures

Measure Title
Description
Procedure(s)
Duct Sealing
Component Packages require that space conditioning ducts be sealed. If sealed and tested ducts are claimed for compliance, field verification and diagnostic testing is required to verify that approved duct system materials are utilized, and that duct leakage meets the specified criteria.
Duct Location, Surface Area and R-value
Compliance credit can be taken for improved duct location, surface area and R-value. Field verification is required to verify that the duct system was installed according to the design, including location, size and length of ducts, duct insulation R-value and installation of buried ducts.1 For buried ducts measures, Duct Sealing and High Quality Insulation Installation (QII) is required.
Verification of low leakage ducts located entirely in conditioned space
Duct system location shall be verified by visual inspection and diagnostic testing. Compliance credit can be taken for verified duct systems with low air leakage to the outside when measured in accordance with Reference Residential Appendix Section RA3.1.4.3.8 . Field Verification for ducts in conditioned space is required. Duct sealing is required.
Low Leakage Air-handling Units
Compliance credit can be taken for installation of a factory sealed air handling unit tested by the manufacturer and certified to the Commission to have met the requirements for a Low Leakage Air-Handling Unit. Field verification of the air handler’s model number is required. Duct Sealing is required.
Verification of Return Duct Design
Verification to confirm that the return duct design conform to the applicable criteria given in Table 150.0-B , TABLE 150.0-C , Table 160.3-A, or 160.3-B.
Verification of Air Filter Device Design
Verification to confirm that the air filter devices conform to the requirements given in applicable Standards Section s 150.0(m)12 or 160.2(b)1 .
Verification of Prescriptive Bypass Duct-Requirements
Verification to confirm zonally controlled systems comply with the bypass duct requirements in Section 150.1(c)13 or 170.2(c)3C .

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Air Conditioning Measures

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Improved Refrigerant Charge

Component Packages require in some climate zones that air-cooled air conditioners and air-source heat pumps be diagnostically tested in the field to verify that the system has the correct refrigerant charge. For the performance method, the Proposed Design is modeled with less efficiency if diagnostic testing and field verification is not performed. The system must also meet the prerequisite minimum System Airflow requirement.

RA3.3

RA3.2 

RA1.2

 

Verified System Airflow

When compliance requires verified system airflow greater than or equal to a specified criterion, field verification and diagnostic testing is required.

RA3.3

Air-handling Unit Fan Efficacy 

When compliance requires verified fan efficacy (Watt/cfm) less than or equal to a specified criterion, field verification and diagnostic testing is required.

RA3.3

 Verified Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER2) 

Compliance credit can be taken for increased EER2 by installation of specific air conditioner or heat pump models. Field verification is required2 .

RA3.4.3

RA3.4.4.1

Verified Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2)

ECC-Rater field verification of the SEER2 rating is required for some systems.

RA3.4.3

RA3.4.4.1

Rated Heat Pump Capacity Verification

When performance compliance uses a heat pump, the rated capacity of the installed system shall be verified to be greater than or equal to the specified value.

RA3.4.4.2

Evaporatively Cooled Condensers

Compliance credit can be taken for installation of evaporatively cooled condensers. Field verification of duct leakage is required. Field verification of refrigerant charge is required. Field verification of EER2 is required. This measure is only applicable to single-family buildings.

RA3.1.4.3

RA3.2 

RA3.4.3

RA3.4.4.1

Variable Capacity Heat Pump (VCHP) Compliance Option

When performance compliance uses the VCHP compliance option, the system shall be field verified to confirm it meets the eligibility requirements.

RA3.4.4.3

 

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Ventilation Cooling Measures

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Whole House Fan

When performance compliance uses a whole house fan, the installed whole house fan airflow rate (cfm) and fan efficacy (W/cfm) shall be verified to be equal to or better than the specified values. This measure is only applicable to single-family buildings.

RA3.9

Central Fan Ventilation Cooling System

When performance compliance uses a central fan ventilation cooling system (CFVCS), the installed CFVCS ventilation airflow rate (cfm) and fan efficacy (W/cfm) shall be verified to be equal to or better than the specified values. This measure is applicable only to single-family buildings.

RA3.3.4

 

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Mechanical Ventilation Measures for Improved Indoor Air Quality

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Continuous Whole-Building Mechanical Ventilation Airflow

Measurement of whole-building mechanical ventilation is mandatory for newly constructed buildings.

RA3.7.4.1

Intermittent Whole-Building Mechanical Ventilation Airflow

Measurement of whole-building mechanical ventilation is mandatory for newly constructed buildings.

RA3.7.4.2

Kitchen Local Mechanical Exhaust Verification

Verification of kitchen local mechanical exhaust is mandatory for newly constructed buildings.

RA3.7.4.3

Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) Rated Performance Verification

When performance compliance requires verification of the HRV/ERV fan efficacy (W/cfm) or heat recovery efficiency, then the installed ventilation system shall be verified.

RA3.7.4.4

 

 

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Building Envelope Measures

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Building Envelope Air Leakage and Dwelling Unit Compartmentalization

Compliance credit can be taken for reduced building envelope air leakage in single-family homes. Field verification and diagnostic testing is required. Compliance with the enclosure leakage criteria specified in the Certificate of Compliance shall be verified for all multifamily dwelling units equipped with balanced or supply ventilation systems.

RA3.8

Quality Insulation Installation (QII)

Compliance Software recognizes standard and improved envelope construction. Quality Insulation Installation is a prescriptive measure in all climate zones for newly constructed buildings and additions greater than 700 square feet, except low-rise multifamily buildings in Climate Zone 7. Field verification is required.

RA3.5

Quality Insulation Installation for Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Insulation

ECC-Rater shall verify the installation of SPF insulation whenever R-values other than the default R-value per inch are used for compliance. 

 

RA3.5.6

 

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Single Family Domestic Hot Water Measures

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Verified Pipe Insulation for Single Dwelling 

Inspection to verify that all hot water piping in non-recirculating systems is insulated and that corners and tees are fully insulated. No piping should be visible due to insulation voids with the exception of the last segment of piping that penetrate walls and delivers hot water to the sink, appliance, etc.

RA3.6.2

Verified Parallel Piping (PP-H)

Inspection that requires that the measured length of piping between the water heater and single central manifold does not exceed five feet

RA3.6.4

Verified Compact Hot Water Distribution System Expanded Credit (CHWDS-H-EX)

Inspection to verify that the eligibility criteria specified in RA 3.6.5 are met.

RA3.6.5

Demand Recirculation: Manual Control (RDRmc-H)

Inspection to verify that all recirculating hot water piping is insulated, and that corners and tees are fully insulated. No piping should be visible due to insulation voids

RA3.6.6

Demand Recirculation: Sensor Control (RDRsc-H)

Inspection to verify that all recirculating hot water piping is insulated, and that corners and tees are fully insulated. No piping should be visible due to insulation voids.

RA3.6.7

Verified Drain Water Heat Recovery System (DWHR-H)

Inspection to verify that the DWHR unit(s) and installation configuration match the compliance document and the DWHR(s) is certified to the Commission to have met the requirements. 

RA3.6.9

 

Table RA2-1 – Summary of Measures Requiring Field Verification and Diagnostic Testing (Continued)

Multi Family Domestic Hot Water Heating Measures

Measure Title

Description

Procedure(s)

Verified Pipe Insulation for Central Systems

Inspection to verify that the central system hot water piping, fittings and appurtenances are continuously insulated per mandatory requirements.

RA3.6.3

Verified Drain Water Heat Recovery System (DWHR-H)

Inspection to verify that the DWHR unit(s) and installation configuration match the compliance document and the DWHR(s) is certified to the Commission to have met the requirements.

RA3.6.9

1. Note: Compliance credit for increased duct insulation R-value (not buried ducts) may be taken without field verification if the R-value is the same throughout the building, and for ducts located in crawlspaces and garages where all registers are either in the floor or within 2 feet of the floor. These two credits may be taken subject only to enforcement agency inspection.

2. Note: The requirement for verification of a high EER2 does not apply to equipment rated only with an EER2.


This panel displays referenced content when certain links are clicked.

This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E®), and Southern California Edison Company (SCE) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

© 2026 PG&E, SDG&E and SCE. All rights reserved, except that this content may be used, copied, and distributed without modification. Neither PG&E, SDG&E, nor SCE — nor any of their employees makes any warranty, express of implied; or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any data, information, method, product, policy or process disclosed in this document; or represents that its use will not infringe any privately-owned rights including, but not limited to patents, trademarks or copyrights.