Here is a list of questions we hear most often:

Q: Are air handlers eligible for a reward?
A: No, however, they can count toward a higher SEER rating when installed with an air conditioner. For example, if you install a 13 SEER air conditioner with an air handler that raises the air conditioner's SEER to 14, we would pay the air conditioner as a 14 SEER.

Q: Can the benefits of ECM fan motors be counted in the efficiency rating for air conditioners?
A: The reward for ECM cooling savings on single stage air conditioners is counted in the reward for the furnace with the ECM. These savings from furnaces with ECMs cannot be counted a second time in the SEER ratings for single stage air conditioners.

For additional information on verifying AC SEER ratings, visit the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI).

Q: What about the Field Collection Form?
A: The Field Collection Form (FCF) was created to provide an easy worksheet for determining Charge and Airflow data at the installation site. It may be stapled to the Reward Application instead of filling out the Charge and Airflow data in the Split System Information section of the Reward Application. This information must be provided in the Split System Information section of the Reward Application or the FCF must be attached to the Reward Application in order for your customer to receive the Cash-Back Reward.

Q: How will the benefits of 2-stage air conditioners be recognized?
A: 2-stage air conditioners used with furnaces with ECMs do not exactly fit into the current efficiency rules and a perfect solution is not yet available. The following rules apply to 2-stage air conditioners with ECM furnaces: the SEER you note on the reward form should include the ECM benefits when a 2-stage air conditioner and an ECM are claimed.