Smart Tools and Intelligent Apps = Superior Technicians

Smart-Tools and Intelligent-Apps are making average technicians superior techs. in programs across the US. This session will provide an overview of the latest Smart-Tools that reduce system wide failures in Heat-Pumps and Mini-Splits installations. The Inflation Reduction Act provides massive incentives for heat pumps, is your program ready to make sure these systems are installed correctly? Deploying smart diagnostic and commissioning tools with training have proven significant for fault reduction. Learn how DOE’s Smart-Tools for Efficient H/AC Performance (STEP) Campaign is achieving these goals. PNNL is working with WAP agencies like Energy Resource Center in Colorado to improve in-house installations and commissioning. Dozens of studies including 2018 DOE study found H/AC installations had one fault in 70–90% of homes. Improper installation causes increased energy, comfort issues, warranty claims, call backs and higher repair costs over the lifetime of the equipment. Fixing these faults could decrease residential cooling loads by 5–10%. Researchers at NREL estimate that AC systems and Heat-Pumps waste 20.7 terawatt hours of energy per/year due to equipment faults. Converted to hydroelectric is ~8.5trillion gallons of water! We will cover practical solutions for reducing faults in air flow and refrigerant charge using Smart Probes & Apps. in your program.