5.3003.7 Occupant Education

Topic: 
Forced Air
Subtopic: 
System Assessment and Maintenance
Desired Outcome: 
Occupants understand their role and responsibility in the safe, effective, and efficient operation of the equipment
TitleSpecification(s)Objective(s)
5.3003.7a
Basic operation

Basic operation of the equipment will be explained to the occupant (e.g., design conditions, efficiency measures, differences from previous system or situation)

Ensure occupant has a reasonable expectation of the equipment's capability

5.3003.7b
System controls (e.g., thermostat, humidistat)

Proper operation and programming of system controls to achieve temperature and humidity control will be explained to the occupant

Ensure occupant can operate system controls

5.3003.7c
System disconnects

Indoor and outdoor electrical disconnects and fuel shut-offs will be demonstrated to occupant

Ensure occupant can shut off equipment in emergencies

5.3003.7d
Combustion air inlets

Location of combustion air inlets will be identified for occupant in accordance with NFPA NFPA National Fire Protection Association, www.nfpa.org 31, 54, and 58

Importance of not blocking inlets will be explained to occupant

Ensure occupant does not block combustion air inlets

5.3003.7e
Blocking air flow

Importance of cleaning dust and debris from return grilles will be explained to occupant

Proper placement of interior furnishings with respect to registers will be explained to occupant

Negative consequences of closing registers will be explained to occupant

Importance of leaving interior doors open as much as possible will be explained to occupant

Ensure occupant does not prevent equipment from operating as designed

5.3003.7f
Routine maintenance

Proper filter selection and how to change the filter will be explained to occupant

Importance of keeping outside unit clear of debris, vegetation, decks, and other blockage will be explained to occupant

Importance and timing of routine professional maintenance will be explained to occupant

There will be no air bypass around the filters and new central forced air HVAC HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems will have minimum MERV MERV Minimum efficiency reporting value 6 filtration

Ensure equipment operates as designed

5.3003.7g
Calling heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ( HVAC HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ) contractor

Situations when the occupant should contact the HVAC HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor will be explained, including:

  • Fuel odors
  • Water draining from secondary drainline
  • Emergency heat indicator always on for a heat pump system
  • System blowing cold air during heating season and vice versa
  • Icing of the evaporator coil during cooling mode
  • Outside unit never defrosts
  • Unusual noises
  • Unusual odors

Notify occupant to contact installer when system is not operating as designed

5.3003.7h
Carbon monoxide ( CO CO Carbon monoxide )

A carbon monoxide ( CO CO Carbon monoxide ) alarm will be installed

Occupant will be made aware of operation of CO CO Carbon monoxide alarm

5.3003.7i
Warranty and service

Occupant will be provided with relevant manuals and warranties

The labor warranty will be explained and the occupant will be given a phone number to call for warranty service

Provide manuals and warranties for future servicing

TitleSpecification(s)Objective(s)
5.3003.7a
Basic operation

Basic operation of the equipment will be explained to the occupant (e.g., design conditions, efficiency measures, differences from previous system or situation)

Ensure occupant has a reasonable expectation of the equipment's capability

5.3003.7b
System controls (e.g., thermostat, humidistat)

Proper operation and programming of system controls to achieve temperature and humidity control will be explained to the occupant

Ensure occupant can operate system controls

5.3003.7c
System disconnects

Indoor and outdoor electrical disconnects and fuel shut-offs will be demonstrated to occupant

Ensure occupant can shut off equipment in emergencies

5.3003.7d
Combustion air inlets

Location of combustion air inlets will be identified for occupant in accordance with NFPA NFPA National Fire Protection Association, www.nfpa.org 31, 54, and 58

Importance of not blocking inlets will be explained to occupant

Ensure occupant does not block combustion air inlets

5.3003.7e
Blocking air flow

Importance of cleaning dust and debris from return grilles will be explained to occupant

Proper placement of interior furnishings with respect to registers will be explained to occupant

Negative consequences of closing registers will be explained to occupant

Importance of leaving interior doors open as much as possible will be explained to occupant

Ensure occupant does not prevent equipment from operating as designed

5.3003.7f
Routine maintenance

Proper filter selection and how to change the filter will be explained to occupant

Importance of keeping outside unit clear of debris, vegetation, decks, and other blockage will be explained to occupant

Importance and timing of routine professional maintenance will be explained to occupant

Ensure equipment operates as designed

5.3003.7g
Calling heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ( HVAC HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ) contractor

Situations when the occupant should contact the HVAC HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contractor will be explained, including:

  • Fuel odors
  • Water draining from secondary drain line
  • Emergency heat indicator always on for a heat pump system
  • System blowing cold air during heating season and vice versa
  • Icing of the evaporator coil during cooling mode
  • Outside unit never defrosts
  • Unusual noises
  • Unusual odors

Notify occupant to contact installer when system is not operating as designed

5.3003.7h
Carbon monoxide ( CO CO Carbon monoxide )

A carbon monoxide ( CO CO Carbon monoxide ) alarm will be installed

Occupant will be made aware of operation of CO CO Carbon monoxide alarm

5.3003.7i
Warranty and service

Occupant will be provided with relevant manuals and warranties

The labor warranty will be explained and the occupant will be given a phone number to call for warranty service

Provide manuals and warranties for future servicing