What You'll Learn

• How to start an A/C Installation Workflow from the measureQuick home screen
• How to create a new project and select the correct workflow type
• How to work through the Indoor Workflow phase: site info, customer info, probe deployment, photo documentation, and model/serial capture
• How to configure the System Profile: refrigerant, design airflow, SEER/CTOA, metering device, and electrical measurements
• How to work through the Outdoor Workflow phase: system faults review, probe deployment, outdoor measurements, photo documentation, and model/serial capture
• How to read the Test Out results: pass/fail indicators, Vitals Score, subcooling/superheat details, and measurement summaries
• How to generate, review, and share the full diagnostic report

What You'll Need

• Device: iPhone (iOS 15+) or Android phone/tablet (Android 10+) with measureQuick v3.5+ installed
• Account: Active measureQuick account (see Installing the measureQuick App)
• Smart tools: Bluetooth-connected temperature probes (suction line, liquid line, discharge line, ambient), pressure probes (high side, low side), and indoor probes (supply, return, wet bulb). See and for placement details.
• Equipment access: A newly installed A/C or heat pump system, powered and ready for commissioning
• Nameplate visibility: Access to both indoor and outdoor unit nameplates for the AI System Profiler
• Time: 15 minutes to read; 30-60 minutes for a live installation commissioning

Overview

The A/C Installation Workflow is the primary workflow for commissioning new cooling equipment. It walks you through every step from project creation to final report: indoor setup, system profiling, outdoor setup, diagnostic evaluation, and documentation.

As Jim Bergmann explains in the Cooling Commissioning walkthrough: a system that is not commissioned correctly cannot be effectively diagnosed later. Commissioning establishes that each subsystem operates properly and creates a baseline benchmark. That benchmark, saved to the cloud, becomes the reference point for every future service visit by any technician from your company.

This workflow captures everything needed for a complete installation commissioning record: site and customer information, equipment identification, probe-based measurements, pass/fail diagnostics, a Vitals Score, photo documentation, and a shareable PDF report.

The workflow is divided into five phases. Each phase has a checklist. Complete the checklist items in order; the workflow tracks your progress and marks completed tasks with checkmarks.

In the field: Companies that commission every installation with measureQuick report measurable quality improvements. Ben Chouinard (Service Manager, Simpson Salute) reports: "Our installers using MeasureQuick on a commissioning basis have the lowest callback rate." Greg Wallace (Owner, Progressive Heating and Air) tests every installation and describes the return on investment as immediate.

Step-by-Step Guide

Phase 1: Project Setup

Step 1: Start the Workflow

1. Open measureQuick and tap Start Project on the home screen.
2. Select Guided Workflows.
3. Tap A/C Install Workflow from the workflow list. (In Demo Mode, this appears as "DEMO A/C Install Workflow." See Workflow UI Navigation for Demo Mode setup.)
4. The Create New Project modal appears. Choose one of:
   • Create New Site - for a new customer or location
   • Add/Select Equipment - to attach this test to an existing project or equipment record

Create New Project modal showing Create New Site and Add/Select Equipment options

Step 2: Review the Workflow Welcome Screen

After project creation, the Welcome screen displays a summary of the workflow and default system parameters:

• Refrigerant: R410A (default; you will select the correct refrigerant in Step 3)
• Airflow: 400 SCFM/Ton
• Efficiency: 13-16 SEER
• Metering device: TXV

These are starting defaults. You will configure the actual system parameters during the System Profiling phase.

The Welcome screen also shows a probe placement overview diagram. Review it to confirm you understand where each probe goes before heading to the equipment.

Step 3: Select the Refrigerant

Tap the refrigerant field to open a searchable list. Favorites (R410A, R22, R454B, R32) appear at the top. Scroll or search for the correct refrigerant type.

For new installations, this is typically R410A, R454B, or R32 depending on the equipment vintage and manufacturer.

Refrigerant selection screen showing searchable list with favorites at top

Tap Next to proceed to the Indoor Workflow.

Phase 2: Indoor Workflow

The Indoor Workflow covers everything at the air handler or furnace location. Each task appears in a checklist; completed items show a checkmark.

Step 4: Confirm Indoor Power is OFF

The workflow prompts a safety confirmation: "Has Indoor Power Been Turned OFF?" Verify that the indoor disconnect is open or the breaker is off before confirming. This prompt appears before any indoor work begins.

Safety confirmation dialog - "Has Indoor Power Been Turned OFF?"

Step 5: Work Through the Indoor Checklist

The indoor checklist contains the following tasks. Complete them in order.

Site Information

Tap Site Information to enter:

• Site name (customer name or property address)
• Location (address, with optional map pin)

The map feature uses your device GPS. Confirm the pin location is correct; this data attaches to the project record.

Site Information screen with name, address, and map pin fields

Customer Information

Tap Customer Information to enter:

• Customer contact name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Billing information (if applicable)

This data populates the final report's customer section.

Customer Information screen with contact and billing fields

Deploy Indoor Probes

Tap Deploy Indoor Probes to view the indoor probe placement diagram. This diagram shows where to place:

• Supply air temperature probe
• Return air temperature probe
• Wet bulb sensor (return air)
• Static pressure probe(s) (supply and return)
• Manometer connections (if applicable)

Place probes according to Indoor Probe Placement. The diagram is interactive; tap a probe location for placement guidance.

Indoor probe placement diagram showing supply, return, wet bulb, and static pressure probe positions

Photo Documentation

Tap the photo documentation item to capture photos of:

• Thermostat
• Air handler nameplate
• Air filter (current condition)
• Indoor installation (overview)
• Any relevant details (ductwork, condensate drain, electrical connections)

Use Take Photo for each item. These photos embed in the final report and provide a visual record of the installation at the time of commissioning.

Photo documentation screen showing photo capture categories with Take Photo buttons

Model & Serial Numbers (Indoor)

Tap Enter AHU/Furnace M/N & S/N. This opens the Model & Serial Numbers screen.

Use the AI System Profiler to photograph the indoor equipment nameplate:

1. Tap Take Photo.
2. Frame the nameplate so the model number and serial number fill 70-80% of the image.
3. Capture the photo. The AI reads the text and populates the Make, Model Number, Serial Number, and Year Installed fields.
4. Review the AI results. Correct any errors. See AI System Profiler for detailed guidance on capturing good nameplate photos and troubleshooting AI results.

You can also tap Library to select a nameplate photo you already captured during the Photo Documentation step.

Indoor Model & Serial Numbers screen with AI-populated Make, Model Number, and Serial Number fields

Step 6: Turn Indoor Power ON

After completing all indoor checklist items, the workflow prompts: "Turn Indoor Power ON." Confirm that probes are placed, cabinet panels are secured, and it is safe to energize the system.

[Visual Reference] The safety confirmation dialog displays "Turn Indoor Power ON" in bold text, with a brief reminder to verify that probes are placed, cabinet panels are secured, and it is safe to energize. A confirmation button (typically "OK" or "Continue") must be tapped before the workflow advances. These safety prompts appear at every power state transition in the workflow to ensure the technician consciously acknowledges each step.

Phase 3: System Profiling

System profiling sets the diagnostic targets for every measurement. Wrong profile data produces wrong pass/fail results. Take this phase seriously.

Step 7: Configure the System Profile

The System Profile screen collects the parameters measureQuick needs for diagnostic evaluation. If you used the AI Profiler on the indoor or outdoor nameplate, some fields are pre-populated.

Refrigerant

Confirm the refrigerant type. If you selected R410A on the Welcome screen but the actual system uses a different refrigerant, change it here.

Design Airflow (CFM/Ton)

Tap the Nominal Airflow field. Three climate-based options appear:

Select the option that matches your region. If you have the manufacturer's specified airflow from the installation manual, use Advanced Targets to enter a custom value.

[Visual Reference] The Design Airflow selection screen presents three radio-button options: 350 SCFM/Ton (warm-humid climates), 400 SCFM/Ton (moist climates, most of the U.S.), and 450 SCFM/Ton (dry climates). A small climate zone reference map shows the general regions corresponding to each setting. The currently selected option is highlighted. Below the options, a note indicates that custom values can be entered through Advanced Targets if you have the manufacturer's specified airflow from the installation manual.

Efficiency Standard and SEER/CTOA

Tap Efficiency Standard:

• SEER - equipment manufactured before January 2023
• SEER2 - equipment manufactured January 2023 or later

Tap the SEER field to select the efficiency range:

CTOA (Condensing Temperature Over Ambient) sets the expected temperature difference between condensing temperature and outdoor ambient. Higher-efficiency equipment has a lower CTOA because it uses a larger condenser coil.

For new installations, most equipment falls in the 13-16 or 17+ SEER range.

Metering Device

Tap the Metering Device field and select the correct type:

• TXV - Thermostatic Expansion Valve (charge evaluated by subcooling)
• Piston - Fixed metering device (charge evaluated by superheat)
• EXV - Electronic expansion valve
• Capillary Tube - Fixed metering device
• AXV - Automatic expansion valve

This is the most consequential profile setting. If you select TXV but the system has a piston, measureQuick evaluates charge by the wrong method. Confirm the metering device visually at the indoor coil before proceeding. See Superheat & Subcooling for how this setting controls the charge diagnostic.

Charge Parameters

Review or enter additional charge parameters if displayed (target subcooling for TXV systems, or target superheat calculation inputs for piston systems). For most new installations with TXV, the default target subcooling is 10-12 F.

Step 8: Capture Electrical Measurements

The System Profile phase includes electrical measurement capture:

• Voltage (line voltage at the disconnect)
• Amperage (compressor and fan motor)
• Watts (total power draw)
• Power Factor

If you have electrical monitoring probes connected, the app reads these values live. Otherwise, enter them manually from your multimeter readings.

Workflow step for capturing electrical measurements

Phase 4: Outdoor Workflow

The Outdoor Workflow mirrors the indoor structure: safety check, checklist, probe deployment, photo documentation, and model/serial capture.

Step 9: Review System Faults

Before starting outdoor work, the workflow displays a System Faults summary. This screen shows any issues detected so far based on the data captured during the indoor phase. Review these flags; they may indicate probe placement problems, missing data, or preliminary diagnostic warnings.

Diagnostics screen showing fault flags from system measurements

Step 10: Confirm Outdoor Power is OFF

The workflow prompts: "Turn Outdoor Power OFF." Confirm the outdoor disconnect is pulled before approaching the condensing unit.

[Visual Reference] The safety confirmation dialog displays "Turn Outdoor Power OFF" in bold text, prompting the technician to confirm the outdoor disconnect is pulled before approaching the condensing unit. A confirmation button must be tapped before the workflow advances to the outdoor checklist steps. This follows the same safety prompt pattern used at every power state transition in the workflow.

Step 11: Complete the Outdoor Checklist

Deploy Outdoor Probes

Tap Deploy Outdoor Probes to view the outdoor probe placement diagram. Place probes according to Outdoor Probe Placement:

• Suction line temperature probe - on the suction line near the service valves
• Liquid line temperature probe - on the liquid line near the service valves
• Discharge line temperature probe - on the discharge line between the compressor and condenser coil
• Ambient temperature probe - in shade, measuring outdoor air temperature entering the condenser

Connect pressure probes to the suction (low side) and liquid (high side) service ports.

Outdoor probe placement diagram showing suction, liquid, discharge, and ambient probe positions

Outdoor Measurements

With probes deployed, the app begins reading live data. You do not need to manually enter values if your smart tools are connected and transmitting. Verify that all probe channels show live readings on the measurement screen before proceeding.

Outdoor measurement screen showing live probe readings for temperatures and pressures

Photo Documentation (Outdoor)

Capture photos of:

• Condenser unit (overall)
• Condenser nameplate
• Line set connections
• Electrical disconnect
• Any relevant installation details

Outdoor photo documentation screen with capture categories

Model & Serial Numbers (Outdoor)

Tap Enter Condenser M/N & S/N. Use the AI System Profiler to photograph the condenser nameplate:

1. Tap Take Photo.
2. Frame the condenser nameplate with the model and serial numbers visible.
3. Capture the photo. The AI populates Make, Model Number, Serial Number, and Year Installed.
4. Review and correct as needed.

The condenser nameplate is critical because it typically determines the refrigerant type, SEER rating, and nominal tonnage for the system profile. If you scanned both the indoor and outdoor nameplates, the profile merges data from both.

Outdoor Model & Serial Numbers screen with AI-populated condenser fields

Heat Type Selection

The workflow asks you to confirm the heating type for the system:

• Electric heat (heat strips)
• Gas furnace
• Heat pump (if the outdoor unit is a heat pump)
• None (cooling-only system)

Select the option that matches the installed equipment.

Heat type selection screen with Electric, Gas, Heat Pump, and None options

Step 12: Turn Outdoor Power ON

After completing all outdoor checklist items, the workflow prompts: "Turn Outdoor Power ON." Energize the system and allow it to run.

Wait for stabilization. The system needs 10-15 minutes of continuous runtime for readings to stabilize. Jim Bergmann notes that a typical system "takes about seven to eight minutes to actually get stabilized," though this varies by equipment type and conditions. Do not evaluate diagnostic results before the stability indicator confirms the readings have settled. Variable-speed and multi-stage systems may take longer. As the Benchmarking video demonstrates, capture air handler data soon after startup, but wait for the condensing unit to reach stability before capturing electrical data, since compressor power draw creeps up as the system does more work. See System Stabilization.

[Visual Reference] The safety confirmation dialog displays "Turn Outdoor Power ON" in bold text. It prompts the technician to confirm that all outdoor checklist items are complete, probe placements are verified, and it is safe to energize the outdoor unit. Tap the confirmation button to proceed. After confirming, the system starts and the workflow transitions to the stabilization and measurement phase.

Phase 5: Test Results and Reporting

Step 13: Review the Test Out Results

Once the system stabilizes, navigate to the Test Out screen. This screen presents:

Pass/Fail Indicators

Each subsystem displays a color-coded indicator:

Measurement-based subsystems (refrigerant charge, airflow, electrical, capacity) produce objective results from your probe data. Subjective subsystems (condensate, outdoor visual, indoor visual, air filtration) default to a result based on general conditions; override them to match your on-site observations.

See Understanding Diagnostic Screens for detailed guidance on reading each indicator.

Test Out results screen showing pass/fail indicators for all subsystems

Cooling Vitals Score

The Vitals Score (0-100) appears at the top of the results screen. This composite score reflects overall system health across all measured subsystems.

Requirements for the Vitals Score to calculate:

• At least 9 physical probe channels for cooling tests
• "Physical" means actual instruments; calculated channels and weather data do not count

If fewer than 9 physical probes are connected, the Vitals Score will not appear. Connect additional probes or verify that all connected probes are transmitting live data.

For a new installation, the Vitals Score should be high (typically 85-100). A low score on a new system indicates a commissioning issue that needs attention before the job is complete.

Step 14: Review Measurement Details

Tap any pass/fail indicator to open its detail view. For each subsystem, the detail screen shows:

• Current measured value - the reading from your probes
• Design target - the expected value based on the system profile
• Acceptable range - the tolerance band around the target
• Explanation - what the measurement means and why it passed or failed

Subcooling detail (TXV systems): Shows the current subcooling value, the target from the system profile, and the acceptable range. For a properly charged TXV system, subcooling should be within 2-3 F of the target (typically 10-12 F for R410A).

Superheat detail (Piston systems): Shows the current superheat, the condition-dependent target calculated from outdoor ambient and return air wet bulb, and the acceptable range.

Review every red and yellow flag before finalizing the test. Each flag either confirms the installation is correct or identifies something that needs correction before the commissioning is complete.

Measurement detail screen showing current value, design target, ideal range, and explanation

Step 15: Generate the Full Report

Tap Full Report (or the report icon) to generate the commissioning report. The report compiles all data captured during the workflow into a multi-page PDF.

The report typically includes four pages:

The report also includes educational content about A/C vitals and what the diagnostic results mean. This makes the report suitable for presenting to the homeowner as a commissioning verification document.

Full Report preview showing Page 1 with system specs and customer information

Step 16: Save and Share the Report

Tap Save to store the report in your measureQuick project. The test record, all measurements, photos, and the report are attached to the project and synced to the cloud (if cloud sync is enabled).

To share the report:

• Tap Share to open your device's share sheet
• Send the PDF via email, text message, or any sharing method your device supports
• The PDF is a standalone document that can be viewed without measureQuick

For installation commissioning, share the report with:

• The homeowner (as proof of proper installation)
• The installing company's office (for documentation and quality records)
• The equipment manufacturer (if warranty registration requires commissioning documentation)

Video Walkthrough

• YouTube: (23 min). Step-by-step new system commissioning walkthrough. Covers both commissioning of new systems and the distinction from service/diagnosis workflows, then walks through to generating the Pro Report

• YouTube: (80 min). Extended walkthrough with Jim Bergmann covering measurement capture, acceptable ranges of operation, probe deployment, and diagnostic evaluation. Includes discussion of non-invasive testing and how benchmarks support future service visits

• YouTube: (15,726 views, 45 min). Full commissioning walkthrough on a live system with probe placement, system profiling, diagnostics, and result interpretation

• YouTube: (3,156 views, 10 min). Shorter overview of the commissioning workflow for new installations

• YouTube: (66,533 views, 72 min). Comprehensive app walkthrough from Jim Bergmann covering system profiling, target ranges, troubleshooting capabilities, and the full commissioning process

• YouTube: (7 min). Demonstrates how the commissioning benchmark is saved to the cloud and becomes the reference for all future service visits. Covers target zones for superheat, subcooling, static pressure, and electrical measurements

Tips & Common Issues

WARNING: Reports are not saved internally

Reports are NOT saved within the app. If you navigate away from the report screen after generating it, the report is gone. Share or export the report immediately via email, text, or cloud sync. This applies to both Guided Workflow reports and Quick Test reports. Even Jim Bergmann was surprised to discover this behavior during a training event - it is the most common cause of data loss in the app. Treat the report screen as a one-time opportunity: share it before you do anything else.

The Vitals Score is not showing on the Test Out screen

The Vitals Score requires at least 9 physical probe channels for a cooling test. "Physical" excludes calculated and weather-derived channels. Verify that your pressure probes, temperature probes, and any additional instruments are all connected and transmitting live data. If you are short on probes, the diagnostics still function, but the composite score will not appear.

Some subsystems show gray (not measured)

Gray indicators mean the app has no data for that subsystem. Check that the relevant probes are paired, connected, and placed on the correct measurement points. A probe that is paired but not positioned on the equipment will not populate the corresponding diagnostic. See Bluetooth Pairing Basics for connection troubleshooting.

Subcooling or superheat is failing on a system I just charged

Allow the system at least 10-15 minutes of continuous runtime before evaluating charge. A system that was just started or recently had refrigerant added needs time to reach steady-state conditions. If the reading is still failing after 15+ minutes of stable operation, the charge condition is a real finding.

The AI Profiler did not populate all System Profile fields

The AI populates fields it can extract from the nameplate photo. If the nameplate is weathered, partially obscured, or the model number is not in the lookup database, some fields may remain blank. Fill in the remaining fields manually from the nameplate, installation manual, or AHRI certificate. See AI System Profiler for troubleshooting tips.

I selected the wrong metering device

If the system profile says TXV but the actual system has a piston (or vice versa), the charge diagnostic evaluates the wrong metric. Open the System Profile, correct the metering device selection, and the diagnostics will recalculate. This is the most common profiling error and the one with the greatest impact on diagnostic accuracy. Confirm the metering device visually at the indoor coil.

The workflow skipped a step or a checklist item is missing

Workflow content varies slightly by equipment type and configuration. Some checklist items only appear when relevant (for example, combustion-related items do not appear in a cooling-only workflow). If you believe a step is missing, verify that you selected the correct workflow type. The A/C Installation Workflow is for split-system air conditioning and heat pump cooling installations, not package units (use the Package Unit Installation workflow instead).

How do I share the report with the homeowner?

After generating the report, tap Share and use your device's share sheet. Email is the most common method. The PDF contains all diagnostic data, photos, equipment identification, and the Vitals Score. It serves as a commissioning verification document the homeowner can keep for their records and provide to the manufacturer for warranty purposes.

Should I override subjective subsystem results?

Yes, almost always. The four subjective subsystems (condensate, outdoor visual, indoor visual, air filtration) default to a calculated result, but they rely on visual inspection. On a new installation, these should typically pass if the installation meets code and manufacturer requirements. Override each one to match what you actually observed on site.

What if the system is a heat pump, not just an A/C?

The A/C Installation Workflow tests cooling mode. If the system is a heat pump, run this workflow for the cooling commissioning. To test heating mode, run the separate Heat Pump: Heating workflow as an additional test on the same project. See Heat Pump Installation Workflow for the full procedure, and watch Making measureQuick Easy Part 4: Heat Pump Heating Guided Workflow (13 min) for a step-by-step walkthrough of the heating mode workflow.

Reference Material

Download: Field Checklists Combined (PDF)

Related Articles

Prerequisites (complete these first):

• AI System Profiler - How to photograph nameplates and configure the system profile
• Outdoor Probe Placement - Where to place suction, liquid, discharge, and ambient probes
• Indoor Probe Placement - Where to place supply, return, wet bulb, and static pressure probes

Follow-up articles (next steps after this one):

• Save Test In/Out - How to save your test results and create a Test Out record
• Understanding Diagnostic Screens - Detailed guide to interpreting pass/fail results
• HVAC Vitals Score - Deep dive on the 0-100 scoring methodology

Related in the same domain:

• Heat Pump Installation - Installation workflow for heat pump heating mode
• Non-Invasive Testing - Temperature-only diagnostics without pressure probes
• System Stabilization - When and why to wait for stable readings
• Superheat & Subcooling - How charge diagnostics work and what the numbers mean

Need Help?

If you get stuck or this article does not answer your question:

• Check the Related Articles section above
• Contact measureQuick support: support@measurequick.com