Central Sacramento Rating & Airflow Duct Blasting, Pressure Testing, and Refrigerant Charge Measurements

Table RA3.1-2 Duct Leakage and Diagnostic Testing

Verification Description	User Application	Procedure(s)
Sealed and tested new duct systems in single family homes and townhomes	Installer Testing at Final HERS Rater Testing
Sealed and tested new duct systems in single family homes and townhomes	Installer Testing at Rough-in, Air Handling Unit Installed
Sealed and tested new duct systems in multifamily homes regardless of duct system location	Installer Testing at Final HERS Rater Testing
Sealed and tested new duct systems in multifamily homes regardless of duct system location	Installer Testing at Final HERS Rater Testing
Verification of Low Leakage Air Handler with Sealed and Tested Duct System Compliance Credit	Installer Testing at Final HERS Rater Testing
Verification of low leakage ducts located entirely in conditioned space	Installer Testing and Inspection HERS Rater Testing and Verification
Sealed and tested altered existing duct systems	Installer Testing and Inspection HERS Rater Testing and Verification
Sealed and tested altered existing duct systems	Installer Testing and Inspection HERS Rater Testing and Verification
Sealed and tested altered existing duct systems	Installer Testing and Inspection HERS Rater Testing and Verification

Alterations HERS Verification Summary Tables

Scope of Work

Duct Testing
CF3R-MCH-20

Refrigerant Charge
CF3R-MCH-25

Cooling Coil Airflow
CF3R-MCH-23

Fan Efficacy
CF3R-MCH-22

Mandatory Measures
All Climate Zones

CZ's 2 , 8-15
Prescriptive Req.

Mandatory Measures
All Climate Zones

Entirely New Split System
Equipment and Ducts (If a portion of the
replacement duct system is inaccessible, then it is
considered altered

≤ 5%
No Options
No Exceptions

Verify Charge
Verify Airflow
≥ 350 cfm/ton

≥ 350 cfm/ton

OR
Installer may demonstrate compliance using
Return Duct Sizing per Tables 150.0-B/C

≤ .45 Watts/cfm for Gas Furnaces
≤ .58 Watts/cfm for others

New Duct System or New Package Unit
≥ 75% is new ducting and the retained portions
are accessible and can be sealed

≤ 5%
No Options
No Exceptions

N/A

≥ 350 cfm/ton

OR
Installer may demonstrate compliance using
Return Duct Sizing per Tables 150.0-B/C

≤ .45 Watts/cfm for Gas Furnaces
≤ .58 Watts/cfm for others

New Small Duct High Velocity System
Equipment and Ducts

≤ 5%
No Options
No Exceptions

Verify Charge
Verify Airflow
≥ 250 cfm/ton

≥ 250 cfm/ton

OR
Installer may demonstrate compliance using Return
Duct Sizing per Tables 150.0-B/C

≤ .62 Watts/cfm

Entirely New Multi-Split
Equipment and Ducts

≤ 5% x 350 cfm/ton
nominal
No Options
No Exceptions

Verify Charge
(weigh-in only)

N/A

GARAGES
Altered Ducts or System Components Located
in Garage Spaces Regardless of Duct length or
Piece of Equipment

≤ 6%
OR
≤ 10% Total Leakage
with all accessible leaks
in the garage sealed
using smoke

N/A

Altered Duct System
> 25' Replaced and < 75% of ducting has been
replaced

≤ 10%
W/Options
See Exceptions

N/A

Altered Duct System
≤ 40' Installed or located in any space

N/A

Furnace/FAU Change-out Only
< 75% of ducting has been replaced

≤ 10%
W/Options
See Exceptions

N/A

Condenser or Coil Change-out Only
< 75% of ducting has been replaced

≤ 10%
W/Options
See Exceptions

Verify Charge
Verify Airflow
≥ 300 cfm/ton

N/A

Refrigerant containing component
Replacement of any of the following:
Line-set, TXV, Compressor or Filter Drier

N/A

Verify Charge
Verify Airflow
≥ 300 cfm/ton

N/A

Package Unit
< 75% of ducting has been replaced

≤ 10%
W/Options
See Exceptions

Verify Airflow
≥ 300 cfm/ton

N/A

Ductless Mini Split

N/A

Verify Charge
(weigh-in only)

N/A

Ducted Mini Split
< 75% of ducting has been replaced

≤ 10%
W/Options
See Exceptions

Verify Charge
(weigh-in only)

N/A

Ducted Multi Split
< 75% of ducting has been replaced

≤ 10% x 350 cfm/ton
W/Options
See Exceptions

Verify Charge
(weigh-in only)

N/A

Exceptions to HERS Verification Requirements Below

Exceptions do not apply to Entirely new or Replacement Systems (Cut-Ins).
The system is not ducted (e.g., ductless mini-split, wall units,etc.).
There are less than 40 feet of ducts total in any space including plenums and the FAU.
The ducts are constructed, insulated, or sealed with asbestos.
The system was previously tested by a HERS Rater and that HERS Verification Certificate is available. Exception does not apply if more than 25 feet of ducts have been added or replaced since the original verification. It does apply to systems passed as part of a sample group.
Exceptions to the Refrigerant Charge Verification
Air conditioning not installed or determined to be non-operational by the local code enforcement agency.
New package units with factory charge certified by installer on the CF2R-MCH-25. Minimum airflow must still be verified for ducted systems.
Exceptions to System Airflow and Fan Efficacy Verification
The system is not ducted.
The system does not have air conditioning.
Mini/multi-split VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems with one or multiple indoor coils.