Starting October 1, 2005, California contractors in climate zones 2, and 9 through 16, will be required to do duct sealing when changing out HVAC equipment in existing buildings. Ducts that leak 15 percent or more must be repaired to reduce the leaks. After your contractor tests and fixes the ducts, you choose whether to have an approved third-party field verifier check to make sure the duct testing and sealing was done properly or to have your house included in a random sample where one in seven duct systems are checked. Third party field verification needs to be performed by a certified home energy rater (HERS rater). These new requirements apply when replacing the air handler, the outdoor condensing unit of a split system air conditioner or heat pump, cooling or heating coil, or the furnace heat exchanger. These replacements are considered alterations under the Energy Efficiency Standards of the California Energy Commission, Title 24.

Check out the information in the California Energy Commission Special Bulletin newsletter dated July 20, 2005.