How It Works
In order to achieve certification, there are several steps your contractor will have to take in ensure that your home is as comfortable, safe, and energy efficient as possible within your budget. Please select from one of the following options to find out how you can have your existing home, or your future home, certified to be one of the best in the nation.
Evaluation
The process starts with a through, testing-based analysis of your home’s comfort system. From the furnace or air handler to the ducts, to the registers, to the airflow in each room of the house, your contractor will test and measure to arrive at a complete understanding of the system. They’ll use high-precision, professionally calibrated instruments and tools in accordance with NCI’s high standards and procedures. Most importantly, they’ll start by involving you, the homeowner, in this process to find out what concerns you have about your system. No one knows your house like you do! Your contractor will work with you to solve your concerns. You’ll even be invited to help out, so you’re well-informed and learn about one of the most important systems in your home.
Create a Plan Based On Facts
After evaluation and testing of your current home comfort system, the next step is to make a plan of action, and decide what steps are needed to get your system functioning above the national average of 57% efficiency. You may need new equipment, you may need new duct work, but you may not. Through testing and converstations with you, your contractor will be able to present you with a scope of work that matches your budget and solves your comfort concerns. Your contractor will take the time to make sure that you understand what work will be done, and what the expected results will be.
If Need New Equipment …
Your contractor will select equipment using industry standards set forth by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). Your replacement system will be installed to exceed minimum industry standards using NCI’s tested duct sizing installation and repair methods to ensure that the system is sized properly and has minimum restrictions on airflow and leakage.
Your Contractor Does the Work
This is where the ‘rubber meets the road’. You contractor team will present you with a timeline to accomplish the changes and renovations that may be necessary to get your home certified. They will apply field design corrections and adjustments and installations in compliance with NCI’s proven standards and best practices to ensure your system far exceeds the minimum standards. This approach will help verify every heating and cooling Btu is maximized and properly delivered into your home’s interior spaces.
Final Testing
National Comfort Institute’s (NCI) motto is If You Don’t Measure, You’re Just Guessing™, and your home’s certification isn’t guesswork. The contractor will carefully test and adjust your upgraded/renovated system to meet or exceed the minimum NCI Certified System Performance standard of 70%-85% of delivered Btus into your home. These precentages far exceed any minimum standards which focus on equipment performance alone. After final testing, your contractor will provide you with a certificate that you can proudly display. You can always access your certification report and more data at NCICertified.com/lookup.
System Design & Selection
Your high-performance HVAC contractor will select equipment using industry standards set forth by ASHREA (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors of America) and ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America). Your new system will be installed to exceed minimum industry standards using NCI’s tested duct sizing installation methds to ensure that the system is sized properly and has minimum restrictions on airflow and leakage. Every component of the system will be thoughtfully considered to optimize your home’s comfort, safety, and efficiency.
Installation
Your HVAC system will be installed to exceed the minimum industry standards. This will be achieved using NCI duct sizing and installation methods that have been field tested and developed for over 15 years. These methods will ensure your air distribution system (ducts and registers) will be installed with minimum restriction and leakage. This approach help verify evry heating and cooling Btu is maximized and properly delivered into your homes interior spaces.
Testing & Certification
Finally, your NCI Certified contractor will carefully test and adjust your entire system to meet or exceed the NCI Certified System Performance standard. This far exceeds any minimum standards which tend to focus on equipment performance alone. Solely focusing on equipment performance typically leaves systems performing at 57% delivered efficiency or less.
In addition to being testing and adjusted for minimum energy waste, your new system will be balanced to provide even comfort throughout your new home.
