Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine May 2022

HVACR NewsMagazine May 2022

State National Chapter News

In addition to duct testing, Verifiers are also trained on basic blower door use. The primary reason is to prepare them to test duct leakage to the outside at final should total leakage fail. The concept is that the primary concern is energy / heated or air conditioned air not be wasted to the outside. Leakage to the inside may not go to its intended location but is not lost. Verifiers are discouraged from performing weatherization work as they are not trained in Combustion Air Zone, CAZ, safety. Again, that is not the focus of the DET Verifier class. If they do have an opportunity to weatherize, they are encouraged not to perform any air sealing unless combustion and ventilation air is provided to combustion appliances; i.e., furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers. Confined space calculations to avoid ventilation are not to be used. On completion of the upcoming NWACC class in Bentonville, the Association will have partnered with Energy Efficiency Arkansas to provide 15 classes during fall 2021 and spring 2022 and certified 136+ Verifiers. Students complete a two day class and successfully pass a 92 question test with a passing grade of 70% or higher.

May 17 & 18 at NWACC, the Arkansas HVACR Association will complete the 5 th blower door and duct blaster class during this spring. The classes are now referred to as DET, Duct & Envelope Testing. The term was coined by Southface Institute in Atlanta, Georgia who leads the Southeast in energy efficiency design and training. The classes incorporate training materials provided by Southface but are modified to meet the needs of Arkansas, thus the Arkansas Model. The program teaches to the standard established in the Arkansas Energy Office 2021 stakeholder meetings. Standards will adjust should the Energy Office make changes. The Arkansas Model refers to education and training that reflects the vision of the Arkansas HVACR Association for pragmatic practice in HVACR and related trades. The DET Verifier class is aimed at HVAC personnel who want to test their own duct for air leakage. While some say this is “ the fox in the hen house ” , self- verification of leakage expedites the process and reduces the cost, thus making duct tests more acceptable for contractor and homeowner. Students are cautioned that no “ fudging ” will be tolerated and that their Verification status will be revoked immediately should they be less than totally honest in their testing. Program credibility depends on verification validity so the Association will not tolerate any deviation.

TEC, The Energy Conservatory, offers class completers a 7.5% discount on their equipment should they purchase a blower door and or duct blaster.