The purpose of these procedures is to verify that residential space cooling systems and heat pumps have the required components to achieve the energy efficiency claimed in the compliance documents. The procedures apply when a Charge Indicator Display (CID) is specified for split system equipment, or when an EER or SEER higher than the default is claimed. For dwelling units with multiple systems, the procedures shall be applied to each system separately.
The installer shall certify on the Certificate of Installation that the components required for compliance have been installed.
The CID verification procedure shall consist of visual inspection to confirm that the CID is installed on the system, and that the manufacturer has certified to the Energy Commission that the CID model meets the applicable requirements of Reference Joint Appendix JA6. 'In 'addition, the space conditioning system shall comply with the procedures specified in Sections RA3.4.2.1, or RA3.4.2.2, or RA3.4.2.3.
RA3.4.2.1 Verification of installation of a CID with "self diagnostic reporting" functionality when outdoor air temperature is less than 55F
The space conditioning system installer shall use the weigh-in charging procedure in Section RA3.2.3.1 to comply with refrigerant charge requirements. HERS verification compliance for the refrigerant charge requirement shall be satisfied by visual inspection to confirm the system has a CID installed, and confirming the installed CID "self diagnostic reporting function" indicates CID sensors and internal processes are operating within the CID device's specified design parameters.
RA3.4.2.2 Verification of Installation of a CID that does not have "self diagnostic reporting" functionality when outdoor air temperature is less than 55F
The space conditioning system installer shall use the weigh-in charging procedure in Section RA3.2.3.1 to comply with the refrigerant charge requirements, and HERS verification compliance for the refrigerant charge requirement shall be delayed until a time when the outdoor air temperature is equal to or greater than 55F, at which time the procedure in RA3.4.2.3 shall be performed.
RA3.4.2.3 Verification of Installation of a CID when the outdoor air temperature is equal to or greater than 55F
When the outdoor air temperature is warmer than 55F, the space conditioning system installer shall use either the standard charge verification procedure or the weigh-in charging procedure to comply with the refrigerant charge requirement, and HERS verification compliance for the refrigerant charge requirement shall be validation of the CID installation when the outdoor air temperature is warm enough for the installed CID to perform a valid refrigerant charge test according to the CID manufacturer specification. The HERS Rater verification shall consist of operating the air conditioner in cooling mode for at least 15 minutes and performing a visual inspection to verify the CID reports the system is operating within acceptable parameters, or otherwise reports a system fault. If the CID reports that there is a system fault, the system does not comply with the refrigerant charge verification requirement.
When a system rating specification includes a time delay relay, the installation of the time delay relay shall be verified.
The procedure shall be:
(a) Turn the thermostat down until the compressor and indoor fan are both running.
(b) Turn the thermostat up so the compressor stops running.
(c) Verify that the indoor fan continues to run for at least 30 seconds.
This section defines procedures for field verification of installed HVAC systems.
RA3.4.4.1 Rated Space Conditioning System Equipment Verification Procedure
When installation of specific matched system equipment is necessary for compliance with requirements for higher than minimum values for system EER or SEER, the installed system equipment shall be verified by a HERS Rater. The verification shall utilize certified rating data from the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance at www.ahridirectory.org or another directory of certified product performance ratings approved by the Energy Commission for determining compliance.
The procedure shall consist of visual verification of installation of the following system equipment components and confirmation that the installed equipment matches the equipment required to achieve the required SEER or EER rating:
(a) The specified labeled make and model number of the outdoor unit.
(b) The specified labeled make and model number of the inside coil.
(c) The specified labeled make and model of the furnace or air handler when a specific furnace or air handler is necessary to achieve the SEER or EER rating,
(d) The specified metering device when a specific refrigerant metering device (such as a TXV or an EXV) is necessary to achieve the high efficiency rating.
(e) When a system rating specification includes a time delay relay, the installation of the time delay relay shall be verified according to the procedure in Section 3.4.3.
RA3.4.4.2 Reserved