Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine February 2018

Code, Regulation, & Legislation

duct blaster rough-in testing. The only cost would be any manuals and refreshments that the class may require. The Home Builder’s Association and the Realtor’s Association offered their facilities for the training. More in depth training for Rater Field Inspector is also available locally by Ron Hughes of HERS, Inc. Cost of the duct blaster equipment is approximately $2,600 which includes the Energy Conservatory Series B duct blaster with DG1000 manometer or about $2,300 for the Retrotec US341 with DM32 manometer. Self testing makes the process much simpler as the installing contractor can perform the test as part of the duct installation. Another advantage of self testing is that the installer can test for air leakage and balance the air flow before the sheet rock ceiling or attic insulation is installed. This ease of access to dampers can make the process much easier. While post-construction testing is permissible, testing at rough-in makes finding and sealing leaks much easier. This is especially true for ductwork between floors. Leaks between floors found during a post-construction test can result in hundreds of dollars of expense; i.e., tearing out and replacing ceiling sheet rock. The city still has to pass the ordinance and it won’t be presented until the February or March meeting. If the ordinance passes, implementation should begin sometime in the fall of 2018. The Association’s classes will be announced in early spring.

Little Rock New Residential Construction Duct Testing??

After months of conferring with realtors, home builders, Energy Raters, mortgage companies and the HVAC industry, the city of Little Rock is prepared to present a new ordinance that would require duct testing on new construction. According to Energy Star.gov, 20 to 30 percent of the air that moves through a residential duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable. The present Arkansas Energy Code calls for duct leakage not to exceed “x” per 100 ft 2 of conditioned floor area-- I. Test at Rough In A. Air handler present 6 cfm per 100 ft 2 B. Air handler not present 4 cfm per 100 ft 2 II. Test at Post-construction (air handler installed) A. Leakage to outdoors 8 cfm per 100 ft 2 B. Total leakage 12 cfm per 100 ft 2 The new ordinance does not change the permissible air leakage. It only requires that the duct be tested in new residential construction. The test can be done by a third party or the installing contractor; however, the testing person must be certified by RESNET, BPI, or the Arkansas HVACR Association. The Arkansas HVACR Association offered to conduct up to three training classes on

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