CEC HVAC Working Group Sub Committee

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CEC HVAC Working Group Sub Committee 8 

• Identify Status Quo trends in the HVAC industry,
  and develop a vision for where the industry
  should go in the future.

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Status QuoIt is generally agreed that the
quality of HVAC installations in the State is
unsatisfactory.  Why?

• C20 contractors are independent. 
• Many homeowners/building owners are primarily
  driven by initial cost.
• Permits are not being pulled.
• Lack of enforcement.
• There are few reasons for 80 of contractors to
  do a better job. 

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Permit compliance at an all time low.

• Consumers are afraid of the permit process. 
• Local building departments do not have the means
  to enforce compliance.
• Utilities generally dont require permits for
  rebates.
• When contractors fly below the radar, they tend
  to sell based on price alone. 
• Local jurisdictions lose a fortune in permit
  revenues.

4
Building Departments are not enforcing Title 24.

• Some jurisdictions are trying.  Most are not. 
• In the new construction market, they tend to
  enforce.  Not in the add-on/retrofit market.
• Many building departments are hoping it will all
  go away.
• They are not adequately trained.
• Lack of Statewide standards. Confusion.

5
What are the skill sets of contractors and their
employees?

• Contractor/owners dont understand problems.
• Service techs/installers dont understand either.
• Contractors learn what they have to for their
  customers.

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Do distributors of HVAC equipment sell to
unlicensed contractors?

• Old Problem.
• Official policy We would never do that.
• Reality Of course they do.
• It is not against the law. 

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Contractors are not responding to the VSP model. 
Why?

• They dont like spending money to buy equipment
  they dont understand. 
• They dont like the idea of a partner. 
• The installation and service procedures required
  generally take too long.
• It is less expensive for the contractor not to
  utilize the VSP, than to use them.  Simple
  economics rule the day.
• The process is tedious.

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Where do we go from here?How do we integrate the
80 of HVAC contractors into the process? 

• Develop a level playing field!  Allow all
  contractors to compete, both large and small. 
• Simple economics still rule the day.  If it is
  not affordable, then it wont happen.
• Give incentives to homeowner/building owner.
• Communication with industry professionals must be
  improved.

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 What role will building departments play in the
future?

• Building departments dont have the means to deal
  with substantial compliance of Title 24. 
• Not the best mechanism to enforce Title 24.

10
How can we make existing duct testing regulations
functional?

• Continue training building departments and
  contractors. 
• Simplify procedures and enforce them!
• Have database for contractors and homeowners to
  check status of building.
• Compare equipment sold in the State with CF4R.

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What role can manufacturers and distributors play
in the future?

• Incorporate onboard diagnostics.
• Equipment tracking by serial numbers.
• Make it illegal to sell to unlicensed
  contractors. 
• Manufacturers and distributors are not the
  enforcers.

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Quality Installation

• Adopt a uniform standard along the lines of ACCA
  quality installation program. 
• Develop the appropriate training programs to
  support the standards. 
• Creates high level playing field. Quality can
  increase from there. 
• HERS raters?

13
NATE certification

• Provide NATE Training
• Develop NATE Train the Trainer
• Currently 1152 technicians certified in state.
  Less than 150 installers.
• Manufacturers are requiring their top dealers to
  be certified.

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Integrate advanced technology into the
mainstream. 

• Gas air conditioning, and electric systems which
  shift load from peak periods.
• Onboard equipment diagnostics installed by
  manufacturers.
• Diagnostic equipment installed on systems to
  empower homeowners to monitor their own
  equipment.
• Costs must be reasonable to the contractor and
  end user.

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End