PTCS QA and Training

FY 2007 findingsBruce Manclark, Bob Davis,

Jennifer Williamson, Martín Wilson, Ken Eklund

Overview• QA summary• Lessons learned from QA• BPA PTCS plans for this year• PTCS training

QA OverviewThis is the first round of heat pump and

duct inspections that has been done (other than STAC detailed monitoring).

Elements looked at– Duct leakage – HP controls, airflow, charge

While not as comprehensive as STAC, the results of our QA are generally encouraging.

QA AgentsAlan VanZuuk

– NW ENERGY STAR– Home Builder

Bob Davis– Ecotope– STAC Monitoring

Bruce Manclark– Delta T– Pasture Golf

Bruce Manclark – Pasture Golf Champion of Goldendale WA

PTCS Summary– Total installers – 250 have done at least

1– Total heat pumps + duct sealing done –

510– Total duct seals done – 1,500– Total heat pumps done – 1,300This flux capacitor

is miscalibrated.

QA SummaryDuct Sealing

– 1,500 Systems done, 55 inspected– 50 passed, 5 failed and had follow up– 23 contractors have done 5 or more

Heat Pump (including duct sealing)– 510 Systems done, 43 inspected– 34 passed, 9 failed and had follow up– 54 contractors have done 5 or more

The goal is to inspect 10% of all systems

Examples of Failed QA Notes

Ducts

“QA measured 170 CFM50 both sides to out vs. installer’s 116. House is 1400 ft2. The system is too leaky to meet 10% criteria. “

“QA measured 101 cfm50 leakage to outside, a 3 cfm50 reduction from the original test. The target is 56 cfm50.The original duct sealing form submitted by the contractor stated 63 cfm50. “

Examples of Failed QA Notes

Heat Pumps

“QA measured 305 CFM per ton. QA recommends the technician increase the airflow to at least 350 CFM per ton.”

“Controls: Outdoor sensor for ODT installed too close to hot vapor line; sensor reads warmer than actual temperature. Strip heat stays off even when it would be appreciated by the occupants.”

QA – Some issues we saw– One brand of heat pumps generally needs

to have the outdoor unit size tap set ½ ton larger than the actual system size to get the desired airflow

– Control of strip heat • With training and improved thermostats, this

has gotten easier to do right• Utilities now check them often, so they are more

consistently correct– Sizing, while not addressed in detail, could

be

Failed Heat Pumps

9

34

FailPass

5

3

1

Airflow

Charge

Controls

Portion of test failedAll heat pump QA

79% passed

QA – What We LearnedWe’re still in the early phase of this project;

with more QA, we will have a clearer picture of performance.– Installs are generally pretty good– Many fails are on the new parts of the

commissioning (controls, TrueFlow, etc.)– QA works. It adds value and improves program

credibility with installersIncreased utility personnel capability. (i.e.,

they can go into Honeywell 8000 thermostat and see the outdoor lockout setting)

QA – Remaining Challenges– New technologies (9.0 HSPF, 15 SEER,

everything has Vista) can be troublesome– Even with QA, we don’t measure energy

savings over time, just a snapshot of performance

– Coordination of QA visits is tougher than we thought

STAC – In ComparisonSTAC monitoring showed generally

good performance, at least after problems were identified and fixed.  Some findings that deserve attention: 

• Dual stage compressors – some are lemons

• Energy usage for the defrost cycle flies below ARI's radar (but field adjustments can limit the damage)

ENERGY STAR• We don’t inspect ENERGY STAR jobs

(but we do inspect new construction heat pumps)

• 6 were inspected in Bend and Vancouver– 1 failed (the compressor wouldn’t start)

CheckMe!• 12 CheckMe! heat pumps were

inspected• 2 failed

– 1 outdoor sensor installed near a warm liquid line

– 1 had low airflow

Utilities• Some utilities come to inspections,

and the help is always appreciated• Having a local active utility is a big

factor in getting good QA results• Utilities seem to generally be

appreciative of QA

QA in FY2008We have a projected 3,000 systems in

FY2008, which means we will do 300 QA inspections. – We would like to refine the sampling to

focus QA where it is most needed• Lower inspection rate for contractors with

demonstrated capability• Get to far flung reaches of the territory

– We will increase our pool of knowledge

Training OverviewHigh demand for training caused us to

evaluate how to increase capacity to certify new technicians.

As a result, “The Goldendale Summit” was convened, with the following result:

Master TechnicianThe “Master Technician” path will

allow specific qualified technicians or utility staff to train technicians in their territory

This will be people like Bryan Boe, Zach Erdmann, Mattias Jarvegren (Clallam PUD), Darryl Knabe (Mountain View Heating), etc.

TrainingThis new way to deliver training will

complement, not replace current classroom based training.

It will be a good way to increase response to demand for training new technicians

Thanks to Ken Eklund for writing updated PTCS Provider Standards

Master Technician Qualifications

Minimum 2 years full time experience (or equivalent)

ANDMinimum 30 systems tested or

commissionedOR

An individual may be certified as a PTCS Trainer by an existing Trainer based on direct observation of the individual’s classroom and field instruction.

Trainer’s Latitude• New trainers can certify in their

vicinity or company• They are responsible for producing

technicians who can meet PTCS specs (and may lose their trainer status)

• Trainers are responsible for notifying Ecos when they believe a technician is ready to be tested

• Ecos is evaluating using online testing

Certification PathMaster technician provides on the job

training and hands on field work.– Follows current curriculum– Sets the pace and structure for each

tech– Integrates with the firms needs– Has a vested interest in doing a good

job, because certification can be revoked

Classroom TrainingThe BPA is moving to a 50% cost sharing

requirement for training in 2008.

– 1 Day Heat Pump Training - $2,000

– 3 Day Duct Sealing Training - $3,400

FIN