The Commercial QM Subcommittee is active and currently recruiting. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Bob Sundberg by clicking here.

The Milestones and Key Actions in the table below will help illuminate and guide the work of the Subcommittee. They are documented in the Quality HVAC Installation and Maintenance section of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Action Plan. The Action Plan was developed with input from the Investor-Owned Utilities, the Western HVAC Performance Alliance, and other stakeholders to help California’s HVAC sector achieve the goals described in the California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan published by the California Public Utilities Commission.

PURPOSE: To make recommendations to operationalize the ACCA-ASHRAE 180 standard (Quality Maintenance). Work with the various industry stakeholders to raise the standard in delivering QM to the end users. Recommend research of maintenance and diagnostic technology.  Provide input to the IOUs about the incentives necessary to help transform and sustain the changes to the market place from the bottom up. 

PEOPLE: Assemble a team of subject matter experts, including IOU program managers, to achieve the stated purpose of the QM committee.  Assign specific roles within areas of expertise to achieve desired objectives of delivering QM.  Proceed from specifications and tasking with the goal of making commercial QM program operational by March 31, 2011. 

TECHNOLOGY: Leverage available databases of required specific tasks from industry groups and manufactures to define the QM and diagnostic requirements.  Make recommendations for the best available technologies to verify improvements in efficiency. Seek feedback from customers about reporting tools to build market change and sustainability.     

PROCESS: Recommend incentives for end users who purchase maintenance services that meet the standard. Establish a goal to transform the market place to a premium level of maintenance (services that exceed the standard) through service agreements and diagnostic tools. 

SUSTAINABILITY:  Encourage NATE, STAR and/or equivalent certifications and recommend training incentives to contractors and/or technicians to increase proficiency in delivering QM.  Recommend incentives and reporting capabilities to end users to increase their awareness of the value of QM.

Strategy 2.1: Create a statewide quality installation and maintenance (QI/QM) brand that will be attached to systems/installations/contractors that meet quality standards.

Because it is difficult for the layperson to identify what a quality HVAC installation looks like, the Strategic Plan introduced specific milestones to improve the customer’s ability to identify, procure and verify quality installation. The complex process of developing an effective brand that resonates with California consumers—including the development of brand attributes, as well as “look-and-feel” of a logo—begins with a review of the building energy efficiency standards to precisely define QI/QM (including a clear accounting of HVAC lifecycle costs and benefits, such as price, longevity and performance), translated for broader public consumption. With a foundation of the branding approach set in a clear definition, mission and purpose, California must develop statewide guidelines and standards that allow logo use only with verified projects that meet QI/QM standards—or risk challenges to brand value. Given the time and expertise required, this strategy requires near-term focus, including initiation of a WPHA marketing committee and market adoption subcommittee.

On February 27, 2010, the Commercial Quality Maintenance Subcommittee issued an interim report of their findings on basic / fundamental tasking.  As a result of the work done by this Tasking Subcommittee, they were able to influence and propose a change in subsequent versions of the Standard 180.

Tasking Subcommittee Interim Report