Transcript Document 7832034

PTCS QA and Training
FY 2007 findings
Bruce 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 Overview
This 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 Agents
Alan 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 – 1,300
This flux capacitor
is miscalibrated.
QA Summary
Duct 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
All heat pump QA
9
Portion of test failed
Fail
Pass
3
Airflow
Charge
5
34
Controls
1
79% passed
QA – What We Learned
We’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 installers
Increased 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 Comparison
STAC 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 FY2008
We 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 Overview
High 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 Technician
The “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.
Training
This 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)
AND
Minimum 30 systems tested or commissioned
OR
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 Path
Master 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 Training
The 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