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Quantity and Location of Supply and Return Duct Terminals Match Contractor Balancing Report

Scope

Duct Quality Installation

Quantity and location of supply and return duct terminals match contractor balancing report.

  1. Verify ducts are located where specified on the balancing report
  2. Verify the number of ducts match the balancing report.

Description

A duct layout schematic that identifies design airflow for each register like the one shown in Figure 1 may be useful during the test. Any location changes or deviations from the plan can be noted on the schematic.

How to Verify the Quantity and Location of Supply and Return Duct Terminals Match Contractor Balancing Report: 

  1. The HVAC installer prepares a balancing report that identifies the room location and design airflow for each supply and return register. (See an example of a balancing report form in Figure 2.) 
  2. The HVAC installer measures final individual room airflows using ANSI/ACCA 5 QI-2007 protocol and documents findings on the balancing report.

OR

The HERS rater measures final individual room airflows using RESNET Standard Section 804.2 and documents findings on the balancing report. The rater uses the powered flow hood (804.2.1) or the "bag inflation method" (804.2.2). 

HVAC duct layout. The red ducts are supply ducts; the green ducts.
Figure 1. HVAC duct layout. The red ducts are supply ducts; the green ducts.

 

Example of an HVAC installer’s balancing report form.
Figure 2. Example of an HVAC installer’s balancing report form.

 

Ensuring Success

In homes with a central air handler and ducts, the HERS rater should inspect to verify that the quantity and location of supply and return duct terminals match the contractor’s balancing report.

Region

No climate specific information applies.

Compliance



To meet ENERGY STAR Certified Homes (Version 3.0, Revision 07) guidelines, the HVAC installer must provide the rater with a balancing report indicating the room name and design airflow for each supply and return register. See Contractor-Prepared Balancing Report Collected by Rater. Final individual room airflows should be measured and documented on the balancing report. These can be measured by the contractor (as noted in the link above) using ANSI/ACCA 5 QI-2007 protocol, and documented by the contractor on the balancing report and verified by the contractor to be within the greater of ± 20% or 25 CFM of design airflow. See the HVAC System Quality Installation Contractor Checklist, Air Balance.

Or, These can be measured by the rater using Section 804.2 of the Mortgage Industry National HERS (RESNET) Standard, documented by the rater and verified by the rater to be within the greater of ± 20% or 25 CFM of design airflow [as noted in HVAC/R 1.4.2 and HVAC/C 10.1.2]. Section 804.2 of the RESNET Standards states, when the rater verifies airflows, only a powered flow hood (804.2.1) or the "bag inflation method (804.2.2) can be used.

More Info

References and Resources

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This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.