STEP Campaign Resources

Access resources offered by the Smart Tools for Efficient HVAC Performance Campaign.

 

STEP Fact Sheet

This two-page fact sheet describes the STEP Campaign and the benefits of smart diagnostic tools.

 

STEP Utility Program Case Study

Learn how a group of utilities and energy-efficiency service providers designed a program to incentivize adoption of smart diagnostic tools.

 

STEP Contractor Case Study

Read about the experiences of three contractors who integrated smart diagnostic tools into their business.

 

E3 Initiative: A Buildings Initiative Focused on Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity

The Initiative for Better Energy, Emissions, and Equity (E3 Initiative) focuses on advancing the research, development, and national deployment of clean heating and cooling systems that include heat pumps, advanced water heaters, low-to-no global warming potential refrigerants, and smarter HVAC diagnostic tools in residential and commercial buildings.

 

Automated Fault Detection & Diagnostics: Residential Market Analysis

This report provides an overview of the market potential for automated fault detection and diagnostics (AFDD) in the residential sector, focusing on embedded AFDD in central air conditioners (CACs) and air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) as well as the use of smart diagnostic tools to ensure quality installation of CAC/ASHP equipment. The contents include background on AFDD, stakeholder engagement efforts, a technology assessment of AFDD and smart diagnostic tools, residential CAC and ASHP market trends, a characterization of the CAC and ASHP installed base, a synopsis of utility provider programs, and market barriers. 

 

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Quality Standards

ACCA’s Quality Standards outline the specific procedures that contractors should follow when designing, installing, maintaining, repairing, and verifying indoor environment systems. 

 

ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation

The ENERGY STAR Verified HVAC Installation (ESVI) program helps homeowners identify contractors who install heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment using the ESVI guidelines. ESVI guidelines are based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA) HVAC Quality Installation Standards and are recognized as an American National Standard. 

 

Residential HVAC Installation and Practices: A Review of Research Findings

This report from the Department of Energy summarizes relevant findings from available literature and research that were evaluated to better quantify the potential benefits of improving current installation practices for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment in existing homes (i.e., equipment replacements).

 

Barriers to Border Utilization of Fault Detection Technologies for Improving Residential HVAC Equipment Efficiency
This report characterizes the market and technical barriers impeding the broader utilization of fault detection technology for residential HVAC energy efficiency applications.

 

Impact of Installation Faults in Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps in Single-Family Homes on U.S. Energy Usage
This study uses an improved residential building stock simulation tool to predict the annual energy increase and additional utility costs resulting from two common HVAC installation faults: indoor flow rate and refrigerant charge level.
 

Heat Pumps, Mini-Splits & Air Conditioners – Commissioning with Smart Tools to Get It Right the First Time
This presentation from the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) discusses practical solutions for reducing air flow and refrigerant faults using smart probes and apps, as well as simplifying Standard 310.