Briefs: US: Updating installation standards

It is estimated that over 50% of the air conditioners in US homes are under-efficient, due to improper installation; 62% are improperly charged, 50% are oversized and 70% lack proper airflow input at the coil. The performance of such poorly installed systems can be impaired by up to 30%, often well under the levels of comfort and energy expected from the systems. Products are thus kept from delivering their rated performance, even though their standards have increased over the years. EPA has therefore decided to set up the HVAC quality installation (QI) programme, based on the Quality Installation Specification of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA). The programme aims at improving current HVAC installation practices, thus delivering greater efficiency to consumers and reducing peak loads for power utilities.