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Touchstone Energy® Home
Program Standards
HVAC EQUIPMENT:
HVAC equipment will be sized per the Manual "J" calculation plus 6,000 BTUs or 25%, whichever is smaller, or to the next available size. Air source heat pumps and dual fuel systems (split & package) must be ARI rated with a minimum 14 SEER. It is recommended that all heat pumps have outdoor thermostats to control the supplemental heat operation. The outdoor thermostats should be staged on the balance point for each home. It is recommended that electric heat pumps 3˝ tons or smaller have a maximum of 10kW strip heat. For electric heat pumps in excess of 3˝ tons, it is recommended they have a maximum of 15kW strip heat.
Geothermal, or closed loop, heat pumps are the most efficient HVAC type. Under this program a geothermal heat pump must be ARI rated with a minimum EER of 13, and a factory-installed desuperheater is optional. Loop configuration will be decided on the basis of each application. Common loop installations, horizontal, vertical, slinky or pond loop, will be sized per the manufacturer and/or loop installer's criteria.
