ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, Version 3 (Rev.

07)
HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist 1
Home Address: ____________________________________

City:

___________________

1. Review of HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist

State: ______ Zip Code: ________

Must
Rater
N/A
Correct Verified

1.1 HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist completed in its entirety and collected for records, along

with documentation on ventilation system (1.3), full load calculations (2.18), and AHRI certificate (3.13).
1.2 Review the following parameters related to system cooling design, selection, and installation from the HVAC Contractor Checklist
(Contractor Checklist Item # indicated in parenthesis): 3
1.2.1 Outdoor design temperatures (2.4) are equal to the 1% and 99% ACCA Manual J design temperatures for

contractor-designated design location 4

1.2.4 Conditioned floor area (2.7) is within 10% of conditioned floor area of rated home

1.2.5 Window area (2.8) is within 10% of calculated window area of rated home

1.2.6 Predominant window SHGC (2.9) is within 0.1 of predominant value in rated home 6

1.2.7 Listed latent cooling capacity (3.8) exceeds design latent heat gain (2.12)

1.2.8 Listed sensible cooling capacity (3.9) exceeds design sensible heat gain (2.13)

1.2.9 Listed total cooling capacity (3.10) is 95-115% (or 95-125% for Heat Pumps in Climate Zones 4-8) of design
total heat gain (2.14), or next nominal size 7
1.2.10 HVAC manufacturer and model numbers on installed equipment, Contractor Checklist (3.1, 3.2, 5.1), and
AHRI certificate or OEM catalog data all match 8
1.2.11 Using reported liquid line (6.3) or suction line (6.5) pressure, corresponding temperature (as determined
using pressure / temperature chart for refrigerant type) matches reported condenser (7.1) or evaporator
(7.5) saturation temperature ( 3 degrees) 9
1.2.12 Calculated subcooling (7.1 minus 6.4) value is within 3 F of the reported target temperature (7.3) or
calculated superheat (6.6 minus 7.5) value is within 5 F of the reported target temperature (7.7). 9

1.2.2 Home orientation (2.5) matches orientation of rated home

1.2.3 Number of occupants (2.6) equals number of occupants in rated home

1.3 Rater-verified supply & return duct static pressure 110% of contractor values (9.3, 9.4)

1.4 Contractor-prepared balancing report indicating the room name and design airflow for each supply and return register collected by Rater
for records. In addition, final individual room airflows measured and documented on balancing report through one of the following options:
1.4.1 Measured and documented by contractor (10.1.1), OR;

1.4.2 Measured by Rater using Section 804.2 of the Mortgage Industry National HERS Standard, documented by
Rater, & verified by Rater to be within the greater of 20% or 25 CFM of design airflow (10.1.2)

2.2 No excessive coiled or looped flexible ductwork.

2.3 Flexible ducts in unconditioned space not installed in cavities smaller than outer duct diameter; in conditioned
space not installed in cavities smaller than inner duct diameter

2.4 Flexible ducts supported at intervals as recommended by mfr. but at a distance 5 ft.

2.5 Building cavities not used as supply or return ducts unless they meet Items 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, and 4.2 of this Checklist.

2.6 HVAC ducts, cavities used as ducts, and combustion inlets and outlets may pass perpendicularly through exterior
walls but shall not be run within exterior walls unless at least R-6 continuous insulation is provided on exterior side
of the cavity, along with an interior and exterior air barrier where required by the Thermal Enclosure System Rater
Checklist.

2.7 Quantity & location of supply and return duct terminals match contractor balancing report. 11

2.8 Bedrooms pressure-balanced using any combination of transfer grills, jump ducts, dedicated return ducts, and / or
undercut doors to either: a) provide 1 sq. in. of free area opening per 1 CFM of supply air, as reported on the
contractor-provided balancing report; or b) achieve a Rater-measured pressure differential 3 Pa with respect to
the main body of the house when all bedroom doors are closed and all air handlers are operating.11,14

3.1 All connections to trunk ducts in unconditioned space are insulated.

3.2 Prescriptive Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation R-8.
Performance Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation R-6.

3.3 All other supply ducts and all return ducts in unconditioned space have insulation R-6.

1.5 HVAC contractor holds credentials necessary to complete the HVAC System QI Contractor Checklist 10

2. Duct Quality Installation - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, Ventilation, Exhaust, and Pressure Balancing Ducts
2.1 Connections and routing of ductwork completed without kinks or sharp bends. 12
13

3. Duct Insulation - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, Supply Ventilation, and Pressure Balancing Ducts

Effective for homes permitted starting 8/01/2013

Revised 6/01/2013

11

15

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ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 07)

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist 1
Must
Rater
Correct Verified

4. Duct Leakage - Applies to All Heating, Cooling, and Balanced Ventilation Ducts

N/A

16

4.1 Total Rater-measured duct leakage meets one of the following two options:
4.1.1 Rough-in: 4 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of CFA with air handler and all ductwork, building cavities used as
ductwork, & duct boots installed. In addition, all duct boots sealed to finished surface, Rater-verified at final. 17
4.1.2 Final: 8 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of CFA with the air handler and all ductwork, building cavities used as
ductwork, duct boots, & register grilles atop the finished surface (e.g., drywall, flooring) installed. 18
4.2 Rater-measured duct leakage to outdoors 4 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area. 16,19

5. Whole-Building Delivered Ventilation

5.1 Rater-measured ventilation rate is within 100-120% of HVAC contractor design value (2.11). 20

6. Controls
6.1 Air flow is produced when central HVAC fan is energized (set thermostat to fan).
6.2 Cool air flow is produced when the cooling cycle is energized (set thermostat to cool). 21,22
6.3 Heated air flow is produced when the heating cycle is energized (set thermostat to heat). 21
6.4 Continuously-operating ventilation & exhaust fans include readily accessible override controls.
6.5 Function of ventilation controls is obvious (e.g., bathroom exhaust fan) or, if not, controls have been labeled.

7. Ventilation Air Inlets & Ventilation Source

7.1 All ventilation air inlets located 10 ft. of stretched-string distance from known contamination sources such as stack,
vent, exhaust hood, or vehicle exhaust. Exception: ventilation air inlets in the wall 3 ft. from dryer exhausts and
contamination sources exiting through the roof. 23
7.2 Ventilation air inlets 2 ft. above grade or roof deck in Climate Zones 1-3 or 4 ft. above grade or roof deck in
Climate Zones 4-8 and not obstructed by snow, plantings, condensing units or other material at time of inspection.24
7.3 Ventilation air inlets provided with rodent / insect screen with 0.5 inch mesh. 25
7.4 Ventilation air comes directly from outdoors, not from adjacent dwelling units, garages, crawlspaces, or attics.

8. Local Mechanical Exhaust

In each kitchen and bathroom, a system shall be installed that exhausts directly to the outdoors and meets one of the following Ratermeasured airflow standards: 20,26,27
Location
Continuous Rate
Intermittent Rate 28
5 ACH,
100 CFM and, if not integrated with range, also 5 ACH
8.1 Kitchen

based on kitchen volume 29,30,31

based on kitchen volume 29,30
8.2 Bathroom
20 CFM
50 CFM

8.3 If fans share common exhaust duct, back-draft dampers installed.

8.4 Common exhaust duct not shared by fans in separate dwellings. 32

8.5 Clothes dryers vented directly to outdoors, except for ventless dryers equipped with a condensate drain.

9. Ventilation & Exhaust Fan Ratings (Exemptions for Kitchen, HVAC, and Remote-Mounted Fans)

33

9.1 Intermittent supply and exhaust fans rated at 3 sones by mfr. when producing no less than the minimum airflow
rate required by Section 8 of this Checklist, unless rated flow 400 CFM.
9.2 Continuous supply & exhaust fans rated at 1 sone by mfr. when producing no less than the minimum airflow
required by Section 8 of this Checklist.
9.3 Bathroom fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system shall be ENERGY STAR certified;
unless rated flow rate 500 CFM.

10. Combustion Appliances

10.1 Furnaces, boilers, and water heaters located within the homes pressure boundary are mechanically drafted or
direct-vented. As an exception, naturally drafted equipment is allowed in Climate Zones 1-3. For naturally drafted
furnaces, boilers, and water heaters, the Rater has followed RESNET or BPI combustion safety test procedures
and met the selected standards limits for depressurization, spillage, draft pressure, and CO concentration in
ambient air, as well as a CO concentration in the flue of 25 ppm. 34,35,36
10.2 For fireplaces that are not mechanically drafted or direct-vented to outdoors, total net rated exhaust flow of the two
largest exhaust fans (excluding summer cooling fans) is 15 CFM per 100 sq. ft. of occupiable space when at full
capacity or the Rater has verified that the pressure differential is -5 Pa using BPIs or RESNETs worst-case
depressurization test procedure. 26,36,37,38
10.3 If unvented combustion appliances other than cooking ranges or ovens are located inside the homes pressure
boundary, the Rater has operated the appliance for at least 10 minutes and verified that the ambient CO level
does not exceed 35 ppm. 39

11. Filtration
11.1 At least one MERV 6 or higher filter installed in each ducted mechanical system. 40
11.2 All return air and mechanically supplied outdoor air pass through filter prior to conditioning.
11.3 Filter located and installed so as to facilitate access and regular service by the owner. 41
11.4 Filter access panel includes gasket or comparable sealing mechanism and fits snugly against the exposed edge of
filter when closed to prevent bypass. 42

Rater Name:
________________________________________ Date Checklist Inspected: ______________________________________
Rater Signature:
_____________________________________ Rater Company Name: _________________________________________
Effective for homes permitted starting 8/01/2013

Revised 6/01/2013

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ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 07)

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist 1
Notes:
1. This Checklist is designed to align with the requirements of ASHRAE 62.2-2010 and published addenda and ANSI / ACCAs 5 QI-2007
protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.
However, these features alone cannot prevent all ventilation, indoor air quality, and HVAC problems, (e.g., those caused by a lack of
maintenance by occupants). Therefore, this Checklist is not a guarantee of proper ventilation, indoor air quality, or HVAC performance.

2.

The Rater is only responsible for ensuring that the Contractor has completed the Contractor Checklist in its entirety and verifying the
discrete objective parameters referenced in Section 1 of this Checklist, not for assessing the accuracy of the load calculations or field
verifications included or for verifying the accuracy of every input on the Contractor Checklist.

3.

For each house plan with multiple configurations (e.g., orientations, elevations, options), the Rater shall confirm that the parameters listed
in Items 1.2.2 to 1.2.6 are aligned with either: the rated home or with the plans for the configuration used to calculate the loads, as
provided by the contractor.

4.

Item 1.2.1 shall match the 1% and 99% ACCA Manual J design temperatures for the contractor-designated design location. The Rater
shall either confirm that the contractor selected the geographically closest available location or collect from the contractor a justification for
the selected location. The Rater need not evaluate the legitimacy of the justification to certify the home.

5.

The number of occupants among all HVAC systems in the home shall be equal to the number of RESNET-defined bedrooms plus one.
Occupants listed for systems for which the header of the Contractor Checklist indicates that it is designed to handle temporary occupant
loads, as defined in Footnote 3 of the Contractor Checklist, shall be permitted to exceed this limit.

6.
7.

Predominant is defined as the SHGC value used in the greatest amount of window area in the home.

8.

In cases where the condenser unit is installed after the time of inspection by the Rater, the HVAC manufacturer and model numbers on
installed equipment can be documented through the use of photographs provided by the HVAC Contractor after installation is complete.

9.

If contractor has indicated that an OEM test procedure has been used in place of a sub-cooling or super-heat process and documentation
has been attached that defines this procedure, then the box for N/A shall be checked for this Item.

For cooling systems, the next largest nominal piece of equipment may be used that is available to satisfy the latent and sensible
requirements. Single-speed systems generally have OEM nominal size increments of ton. Multi-speed or multi-stage equipment may
have OEM nominal size increments of one ton. Therefore, the use of these advanced system types can provide extra flexibility to meet the
equipment sizing requirements.

10. If any Item in Sections 6 through 12 of the HVAC System QI Contractor Checklist is applicable to the home and, therefore, completed by
an HVAC contractor, then the Rater must confirm that the contractor holds the necessary credentials. HVAC contractors must be
credentialed by an EPA-recognized HVAC Quality Installation Training and Oversight Organization (HQUITO). An explanation of this
credentialing process and links to H-QUITOs, which maintain lists of credentialed contractors, can be found at
www.energystar.gov/newhomesHVAC.

11. Items 2.7 and 2.8 do not apply to ventilation ducts.

12. Kinks are to be avoided and are caused when ducts are bent across sharp corners such as framing members. Sharp bends are to be
avoided and occur when the radius of the turn in the duct is less than one duct diameter.

13. Ducts shall not include coiled or looped ductwork except to the extent needed for acoustical control. Balancing dampers or proper duct
sizing shall be used instead of loops to limit flow to diffusers. When balancing dampers are used, they shall be located at the trunk to limit
noise unless the trunk will not be accessible when the balancing process is conducted. In such cases, Opposable Blade Dampers (OBD)
or dampers that are located in the duct boot are permitted.

14. For HVAC system with multi-speed fans, the highest design fan speed shall be used when verifying this requirement.
15. EPA recommends, but does not require, that all metal ductwork not encompassed by Section 3 (e.g., exhaust ducts, duct boots, ducts in
conditioned space) also be insulated and that insulation be sealed to duct boots to prevent condensation.

16. Duct leakage shall be determined and documented by a Rater using a RESNET-approved testing protocol. Leakage limits shall be
assessed on a per-system, rather than per-home, basis. For balanced ventilation ducts that are not connected to space heating or cooling
systems, a Rater is permitted to visually verify, in lieu of duct leakage testing, that all seams and connections are sealed with mastic or
metal tape and all duct boots are sealed to floor, wall, or ceiling using caulk, foam, or mastic tape.

17. Cabinets (e.g., kitchen, bath, multimedia) or ductwork that connect duct boots to toe-kick registers are not required to be in place during

the rough-in test. For homes permitted through 12/31/2013: Homes are permitted to be certified if rough-in leakage is 6 CFM25 per 100
sq. ft. of CFA with air handler and all ductwork, building cavities used as ductwork, & duct boots installed.

18. Registers atop carpets are permitted to be removed and the face of the duct boot temporarily sealed during testing. In such cases, the
Rater shall visually verify that the boot has been durably sealed to the subfloor (e.g., using duct mastic or caulk) to prevent leakage during
normal operation.

19. For homes that have 1,200 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area, measured duct leakage to outdoors shall be 5 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of
conditioned floor area. Testing of duct leakage to the outside can be waived if all ducts & air handling equipment are located within the
homes air and thermal barriers AND envelope leakage has been tested to be less than or equal to half of the Prescriptive Path infiltration
limit for the Climate Zone where the home is to be built. Alternatively, testing of duct leakage to the outside can be waived if total duct
leakage is 4 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area, or 5 CFM25 per 100 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area for homes that have
1,200 sq. ft. of conditioned floor area.

20. The whole-house ventilation air flow and local exhaust air flows shall be measured by the Rater using a flow hood, flow grid, anemometer
(in accordance with AABC, NEBB or ASHRAE procedures), or substantially equivalent method.

21. In cases where the condenser unit is installed after the time of inspection by the Rater, the Rater is exempt from verifying Item 6.2 when
the condenser is for an AC unit and also Item 6.3 when the condenser is for a heatpump unit.

22. To prevent potential equipment damage, the Rater shall not conduct this test if the outdoor temperature is 55F or, if known, below the
manufacturer-recommended minimum operating temperature for the cooling cycle. When this occurs, the Rater shall mark N/A on the
Checklist for this Item.
Effective for homes permitted starting 8/01/2013

Revised 6/01/2013

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ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 07)

HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist 1
23. The outlet and inlet of balanced ventilation systems shall meet these spacing requirements unless manufacturer instructions indicate that a
smaller distance may be used. However, if this occurs the manufacturers instructions shall be collected for documentation purposes.

24. EPA will permit the use of reduced ventilation air inlet heights in North Carolina. The minimum required height in North Carolina for Climate
Zone 4 will be reduced from 4 feet to 2 feet and in Climate Zone 5 from 4 feet to 2.5 feet based on historical snowfall data for this state.
Note that EPA is evaluating the potential to reduce inlet heights in other regions based upon historical snowfall data.

25. Without proper maintenance, ventilation air inlet screens often become filled with debris. Therefore, EPA recommends, but does not
require, that these ventilation air inlets be located so as to facilitate access and regular service by the owner.

26. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, an exhaust system is one or more fans that remove air from the building, causing outdoor air to enter by
ventilation inlets or normal leakage paths through the building envelope (e.g., bath exhaust fans, range hoods, clothes dryers).

27. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, a bathroom is any room containing a bathtub, shower, spa, or similar source of moisture.
28. An intermittent mechanical exhaust system, where provided, shall be designed to operate as needed by the occupant. Control devices
shall not impede occupant control in intermittent systems.

29. Kitchen volume shall be determined by drawing the smallest possible rectangle on the floor plan that encompasses all cabinets, pantries,
islands, and peninsulas and multiplying by the average ceiling height for this area. Cabinet volume shall be included in the kitchen volume
calculation.

30. For homes permitted through 01/01/2014: Homes are permitted to be certified without enforcement of this Item to provide partners with
additional time to integrate this feature into their homes.
For homes permitted on or after 01/01/2014: Homes shall meet this Item. Alternatively, the prescriptive duct sizing requirements in Table
5.3 of ASHRAE 62.2-2010 are permitted to be used for kitchen exhaust fans based upon the rated airflow of the fan at 0.25 IWC. If the
rated airflow is unknown, 6 in. smooth duct shall be used, with a rectangular to round duct transition as needed. Guidance to assist
partners with these alternatives is available at www.energystar.gov/newhomesresources. As an alternative to Item 8.1, homes that are
PHIUS+ certified are permitted to use a continuous kitchen exhaust rate of 25 CFM per 2009 IRC Table M1507.3.

31. All intermittent kitchen exhaust fans must be capable of exhausting at least 100 CFM. In addition, if the fan is not part of a vented range
hood or appliance-range hood combination (i.e., if the fan is not integrated with the range), then it must also be capable of exhausting 5
ACH, based on the kitchen volume.

32. Exhaust outlets from more than one dwelling unit may be served by a single exhaust fan if the fan runs continuously or if each outlet has a
back-draft damper to prevent cross-contamination when the fan is not running.

33. Fans exempted from this requirement include kitchen exhaust fans, HVAC air handler fans, and remote-mounted fans. To be considered
for this exemption, a remote-mounted fan must be mounted outside the habitable spaces, bathrooms, toilets, and hallways and there shall
be 4 ft. ductwork between the fan and intake grill. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, habitable spaces are intended for continual human
occupancy; such space generally includes areas used for living, sleeping, dining, and cooking but does not generally include bathrooms,
toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms.

34. Per the 2009 International Mechanical Code, a direct-vent appliance is one that is constructed and installed so that all air for combustion is
derived from the outdoor atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere; a mechanical draft system is a venting
system designed to remove flue or vent gases by mechanical means consisting of an induced draft portion under non-positive static
pressure or a forced draft portion under positive static pressure; and a natural draft system is a venting system designed to remove flue or
vent gases under nonpositive static vent pressure entirely by natural draft.

35. The pressure boundary is the primary enclosure boundary separating indoor and outdoor air. For example, a volume that has more
leakage to outside than to conditioned space would be outside the pressure boundary.

36. Raters shall use either the Building Performance Institutes (BPIs) Combustion Safety Test Procedure for Vented Appliances or RESNETs
Interim Guidelines for Combustion Appliance Testing & Writing Work Scope and be BPI-certified or RESNET-certified to follow the
protocol. If using RESNETs worst-case depressurization protocol to evaluate fireplaces, per Item 10.2, the blower door shall not be set to
exhaust 300 CFM to simulate the fireplace in operation, but the remainder of the protocol shall be followed.

37. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010 and published addenda, the term net-exhaust flow is defined as flow through an exhaust system minus the
compensating outdoor airflow through any supply system that is interlocked to the exhaust system. Net supply flow is intended to
represent the inverse. If net exhaust flow exceeds allowable limit, it shall be reduced or compensating outdoor airflow provided.

38. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, occupiable space is any enclosed space inside the pressure boundary and intended for human activities,
including, but not limited to, all habitable spaces, toilets, closets, halls, storage and utility areas, and laundry areas. See Footnote 31 for
definition of habitable spaces.

39. The minimum volume of combustion air required for safe operation by the manufacturer and / or code shall be met or exceeded. Also, in
accordance with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.l / NFPA54, unvented room heaters shall not be installed in bathrooms or
bedrooms.

40. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, ducted mechanical systems are those that supply air to an occupiable space through ductwork exceeding 10 ft. in
length and through a thermal conditioning component, except for evaporative coolers. Systems that do not meet this definition are exempt
from this requirement. Also, mini-split systems typically do not have MERV-rated filters available for use and are, therefore, also exempted
under this version of the guidelines.

41. HVAC filters located in the attic shall be considered accessible to the owner if drop-down stairs provide access to attic and a permanently
installed walkway has been provided between the attic access location and the filter.

42. The filter media box (i.e., the component in the HVAC system that houses the filter) may be either site-fabricated by the installer or prefabricated by the manufacturer to meet this requirement. These requirements only apply when the filter is installed in a filter media box
located in the HVAC system, not when the filter is installed flush with the return grill.

Effective for homes permitted starting 8/01/2013

Revised 6/01/2013

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