Optimizing Residential HVAC Systems: Evaluating How the Usage of Smart Diagnostic Tools for Quality Installation and Commissioning Impacts System Performance and HVAC Contractor Businesses

Two men, one wearing a hard hat, inspecting the exterior of a brick home.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Team: Southface Institute

Building Component: HVAC

Application: New Construction and Retrofit

Climate Zone: All

Digital tools for installation quality and fault detection could transform the residential heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) service and installation industry.

To support faster digital tool adoption, the Southface Institute investigated business implications of HVAC service and installation contractors adopting measureQuick, a smart diagnostic app that works with Bluetooth-enabled HVAC tools to help with installation and fault detection. The team also researched and analyzed energy and HVAC system performance.

To investigate how the app can improve new system installation and existing system tuneups, Southface analyzed 12 months of app data. After identifying errors with app and Bluetooth probe use, the team created several user-error detection filters the app owner added to future versions. The filters alert technicians about potential errors, such as probe placement, before taking an HVAC performance snapshot. Technician training also changed.

The team’s review of installed equipment metrics led to new app workflows to guide technicians through probe placement and process completion.

This project revealed high potential for the app to improve energy and system performance, but the team recommends more research to determine best practices.

Contractors reported several business impacts from using the app, including:

  • Significantly increased new and renewed maintenance agreements. 
  • Increased revenue and sales.
  • Help building customer confidence.
  • Faster onboarding for new technicians.

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