Best Practices Installation Webinar

This Webinar will Cover…

• Use required tools

• Follow quality assurance processes

and findings

• Set indoor and outdoor units

correctly

• Run line sets and drainage

correctly

• Connecting, checking, charging and

commissioning

• Utilize Project resources

• Educate homeowners

• How to achieve a best practices installation

2

• Kaity Tang

• NW Ductless Heat Pump Project QA coordinator

• Mark Jerome

• NW Ductless Heat Pump Project technical support

• Former owner of KAM Energy, LLC

• 28+ years in HVACR industry

• Voting member of the Regional Technical Forum

• BPI, NATE, RSES, ACCA, HVI, IGSHPA and PTCS certified

• 300+ ductless heat pump installations

3

Presenters

• The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a nonprofit organization

working to effect market transformation through the acceleration and adoption of

energy-efficient products, services and practices. NEEA is an alliance of more than

140 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of

more than 13 million energy consumers. For more information, visit neea.org.

4

Project Sponsor: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

(NEEA)

Project Objectives and Successes

• Objectives • Displace electric resistance heat with

energy-efficient ductless systems

• Increase consumer awareness and

regional adoption of ductless

technology

• Successes

• Over 40,000 Project installations

• Over 1,000 Project installers

• Roughly 100 utilities offering incentives

• Two regional workshops

• Manufacturer & retail partnerships

5

Project Findings

• What we’ve found so far • Ductless systems are for REAL!

• Customers LOVE them

• They are an important energy- efficiency

measure to the region

• Quality installations are CRITICAL to

long-term performance and value

• The future looks promising!

6

Quality Assurance

• Random inspections • The Project performs random inspections on

installations completed by Project contractors

• 13% of all inspections in 2014 resulted in a

deviation or failure

• Three of the most common QA deviations:

• Lack of line set protection

• Outdoor unit not secured

• Poor homeowner education

• Additional concerns include:

• Inadequate clearances

• Aesthetically unappealing installations

• QA inspections can’t uncover all issues!

Contractor communication is KEY to learning

about other matters

7

Quality Assurance

8

Minor Deviation- Safety or general performance not

compromised, but installation doesn’t fully comply with

manufacturer and/or program specs.

Major Deviation- Installation compromises safety,

operation and/or performance of the unit.

Failure- Installation outside of Project and/or Utility

specifications.

84%

14%

1% 1%

2008-2014 QA Inspections

Passed

Minor Deviation

Major Deviations

Failed

• ALWAYS FOLLOW MANUFACTURERS’ INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Each unit comes with installation instructions specific to make and model

9

Read the Manual!

• VERIFY INDOOR AND OUTDOOR UNITS ARE COMPATIBLE

• Manufacturers and distributors outline compatibility, but ultimate responsibility lies

with the installer

• Multi-zone systems have many possible combinations

• The Project has observed an increased amount of incompatible unit installations

10

Ensure System Compatibility

R410A GAUGE

AND HOSE

SET

RATCHET

FLARING

TOOL

PROGRAMMABLE

REFRIGERANT

CHARGING SCALE

TORQUE

WRENCH

Required Tools for Installations

Setting Outdoor Units

• Outdoor Unit (Compressor)

• Set unit on stable, level surface

• Utilize riser to prevent debris build-

up to allow better defrost water

drainage

• Secure unit using bolts and

adhesive, where necessary

Refrigerant Tubing

• DO NOT REUSE factory tubing flares

and fittings

• Create new flares using appropriate

R410A flaring tool and

measurement gauge

• Apply refrigerant oil to the end of

each flare

• Connect tubing on indoor units and

outdoor units with R410A nuts

(supplied with units) using a torque

wrench tightened to manufacturers’

specifications

Refrigerant Charge

• Adjust refrigerant charge ONLY IF

NECESSARY; most installations do

not require adjustment from pre-

charge levels

• Gauges are not needed to verify

refrigerant levels; if an adjustment is

needed, use a scale when

adding/removing refrigerant

• Consult the manufacturers’

installation manual to verify

refrigerant protocols as specifications

often change

Insulating and Protecting Line Set

• Insulation must cover entire

length of line set

• Protect outdoor portion of line set

from UV degradation and

physical damage

• Weatherproof wall penetration

Installing Line Set • Insulation disturbed to install refrigerant lines must be returned to original

(or better) condition

Running Drainage

• Condensate drain

• Must slope downhill and can either

be routed with the line set or run to

a different termination point

• Cannot terminate in a crawlspace

or on a pathway

Defrost Discharge and Drainage

• Defrost discharge • In cold weather, outdoor units can discharge

considerable amounts of water

• Frozen discharge water poses serious safety hazards

– place outdoor units accordingly

• Cold climate installations • Installation considerations:

• Use a pan heater to avoid defrost discharge freezing

inside compressor unit

• Increase clearance under outdoor unit to promote easy

drainage and reduce snow and ice build up

• Consider wall-mount brackets to maximize outdoor

unit clearance

Well-Installed Outdoor Unit

• Rigid line cover

• Wall penetration sealed

• Riser block with adhesive

• Anchor foot with bolt

• Pad

• Compacted ground

Poorly-Installed Outdoor Units

Well-Installed Indoor Unit

• Installed high on wall

• Leveled properly

• Main indoor unit is centrally located in

home for best air circulation

Poorly-Installed Indoor Units

Indoor Disconnect Switch

• OREGON AND WASHINGTON

• Code interpretations have clarified

that indoor disconnect switches

ARE NOT required on most

residential installations

• Verify compliance with your local

code official

DHP as Primary Heating System

• Integrate the ductless system

• Thermostat location and settings

• Remote thermostat sensors

• Set electric resistance heat thermostat back to avoid

competing with DHP

• Backup heat sources

• Existing zonal electric system or 120-volt space heaters for

secondary zones (e.g., bedrooms)

• Consider turning off electric resistance heat system at

breaker, dependent on climate

• Homeowner perception

• Zonal heating

• Comfort and savings expectations

• Devise a heating control strategy for each

homeowner!

WELL-INSTALLED OUTDOOR + INDOOR UNITS = SATISFIED HOMEOWNER

Homeowner Education

• Happy, well-educated

homeowners are the best

salespeople

• Satisfied customers tell their

family, friends and neighbors

Homeowner Maintenance

• Pass along maintenance tips to

your customers:

• Check and clean the indoor unit filters as

necessary or per manufacturer

recommendations

• Clear any debris underneath and around

the outdoor unit

• Inspect the outdoor unit and refrigerant

line sets for signs of physical damage

• Clear any debris in the condensate line

• Contact a HVAC contractor for further

maintenance recommendations or

periodic service packages to maximize

system efficiency and longevity

Best Practices Installations

• EDUCATE YOUR CUSTOMERS!

• Walk your customer through operation and

maintenance - educated homeowners reduce

call-backs and promote your services

• Satisfied customers tell their family, friends &

neighbors – word-of-mouth is increasing

• Leave behind instructions on how to contact

you with future questions

• Provide all customers with a copy of the

Homeowner’s Guide

(available for download at

www.GoingDuctless.com/Partners)

Best Practices Installation Guide

• Best Practices Installations

• Required tools

• Installation techniques

• Homeowner education

• Installer resources

• Available for download at: www.GoingDuctless.com/Partners

Rebate and Tax Credits • Utility Rebate

• Up to $1,200 (check with your utility)

• List of participating utilities available at: GoingDuctless.com

• State Tax Credits

• 2015 Oregon: $625 to $1,300 for qualified equipment; details in link:

http://www.oregon.gov/energy/cons/docs/2015%20RETC%20Tax%20Credit%20R

ates.pdf

• Montana: up to 25% of installed cost (up to $500 per homeowner); details in link:

www.revenue.mt.gov/home/individuals/taxrelief_energy

Project Website Partner Resources

• Goingductless.Com/Partners

• This website is for industry

professionals and includes the

following resources:

• Participation forms

• List of participating utilities

• Project requirements

• Master Installer Program

information

• Free marketing materials

• Contact information

Project Website Consumer Resources

• GOINGDUCTLESS.COM

• This website is intended to provide

consumers with key information on

ductless systems, while also

serving as a lead generation tool

for contractors. This website

includes:

• Ductless system FAQs

• Homeowner testimonials

• Installer Finder

Thank you GoingDuctless.com

info@goingductless.com

888.958.7472