Previously accepted industry standards like refrigerant charging to “beer can cold” and sizing HVAC equipment using rule-of-thumb methods will no longer cut it. These old-time approaches will only get you so far.
It is true that quite a few of us are stuck in our old ways. We need to learn to adapt and change. There will be contractors who thrive, while others will be left behind.
We might not be able to individually control the future of residential HVAC, but each of us can make an effort to master our craft and take pride in what we do. Our trade needs to collectively prepare and embrace the education necessary to do so.
Adam Mufich serves the HVAC industry as a curriculum developer and instructor for National Comfort Institute, Inc. (NCI). NCI specializes in training that focuses on improving, measuring, and verifying HVAC and building performance. If you’re an HVAC contractor or technician interested in learning more about air sealing benefits, contact Adam at ncilink.com/ContactMe. NCI’s website, www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com, is full of free information to help you improve your professionalism and strengthen your company.
Great article Adam.
Over 10 years ago MidAmerican Energy and Alliant Energy in Iowa required the use of NCI’s CommonCents verification software and pass with a 90% score to qualify for furnace, air conditioner, and heat pump rebates. After one year they dropped the score requirement (we still had to use CommonCents to document though) because so few installations actually met the 90% threshold. After the second year they dropped CommonCents completely. When the utility companies stopped requiring testing as part of their rebate programs I ended my partnership with those programs.
I am very excited to see so many people (most with ties to NCI) embracing high-performance contracting.
Thank you for the kind words, Dave. I feel like your story is probably a common trend in many areas throughout the country. HVAC contractors struggle to keep up with quality standards. A general contractor that I worked with on many historical homes over the years recently told me about another Passive home project they were starting. He said the homeowner found a very reasonable geo contractor that was excited to do the project. I warned him that meeting PHIUS standards is a very difficult task, and many contractors would not be capable of a job of that detail. Fast forward several months I hear they are really struggling with the project.
I do believe that good contractors providing high quality installations that perform as intended should be rewarded. Maybe it is a good thing that most installs don’t hit the 90% score that you mentioned. When I was growing up not all kids received a participation trophy. Maybe if we bring back that mindset, it will drive others to learn and grow.