ACCA QI Certification
What You'll Learn
- What ACCA Quality Installation requires for certification
- How measureQuick data satisfies QI documentation requirements
- How mQ test data maps to ACCA Standard 5 benchmarks
- How to submit mQ reports as QI verification documentation
- How the ACCA QI workflow in mQ structures the required measurements
- The business benefits of QI certification for your company
What You'll Need
- Account: measureQuick Premier subscription with ACCA QI add-on enabled (see for setup)
- App version: measureQuick v3.5 or later
- Prerequisite knowledge: ACCA QI workflow setup (A7) and mQ pricing (L1)
- ACCA membership: Recommended for discounted QI add-on pricing
- Equipment: Bluetooth-connected smart tools for refrigerant, airflow, electrical, and combustion measurements
What ACCA Quality Installation Requires
ACCA Quality Installation (QI) is a certification program from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. It establishes a verifiable standard for residential HVAC installation quality based on ACCA Standard 5, which defines the performance benchmarks a properly installed system must meet.
QI certification requires third-party verification that each installation meets these benchmarks. The contractor cannot self-certify. An independent verification process confirms that the installed system delivers the performance the manufacturer designed it for.
The core areas ACCA Standard 5 evaluates:
- Refrigerant charge - subcooling and superheat within manufacturer specifications
- Airflow delivery - total system airflow within design parameters
- Total external static pressure - within equipment rated maximums
- Electrical - voltage and amperage within manufacturer tolerances
- Combustion safety - CO levels, draft, and venting for gas equipment
- Visual inspection - condensate drainage, outdoor unit clearance, indoor unit access, air filtration
A system must pass all applicable criteria to earn a QI certificate. Partial compliance does not qualify.
How mQ Data Satisfies QI Documentation
measureQuick is the only app for ACCA Quality Installation. The QI workflow in mQ is designed specifically to capture every measurement Standard 5 requires, flag any that fall outside acceptable ranges, and generate the verification documentation.
Charge Verification
mQ measures superheat and subcooling from live pressure and temperature readings, then compares them against target values based on the equipment's metering device type and operating conditions. For QI purposes, these measurements must fall within the allowable range defined by ACCA Standard 5. mQ displays pass/fail indicators for each measurement, making it clear whether the charge meets the standard.
Grid view showing superheat and subcooling values in green with all measurements within target ranges
Airflow Measurement
QI requires documentation of total system airflow in CFM and verification that it falls within the equipment manufacturer's specified range. mQ captures airflow data from TrueFlow grids, powered flow hoods, or manual entry, and calculates CFM-per-ton for comparison against design targets. The TESP measurement confirms the duct system is not restricting airflow beyond the equipment's rated maximum.
System Commissioning Documentation
Beyond individual measurements, QI requires a complete commissioning record. mQ captures all measurements in a single test record with timestamps, probe source data, and equipment identification (make, model, serial number). This creates a unified document that links every measurement to a specific system on a specific date.
Visual Subsystem Checks
ACCA Standard 5 includes visual inspection criteria: condensate drainage, outdoor unit placement, indoor unit access, and air filtration. mQ includes pass/fail checkboxes for these subsystems within the QI workflow. Technicians evaluate each visually and record the result. Photo documentation attached to the project provides additional evidence.
mQ Test Data and ACCA Standard 5 Benchmarks
The following table shows how mQ measurements map to ACCA Standard 5 evaluation criteria:
| ACCA Standard 5 Criterion | mQ Measurement | mQ Pass/Fail Field |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerant charge (cooling) | Superheat, subcooling, pressures | pf_refrigerant_charge |
| Refrigerant charge (heating HP) | Superheat, subcooling, pressures | pf_refrigerant_charge |
| Total airflow | CFM, CFM per ton | pf_airflow |
| Total external static pressure | TESP (in. w.c.) | pf_tesp |
| Electrical operation | Voltage, amperage, watts | pf_electrical |
| Combustion safety | CO, draft, temperature rise | pf_venting, pf_combustion_safety |
| Condensate management | Visual inspection | pf_condensate |
| Outdoor unit installation | Visual inspection | pf_outdoor |
| Indoor unit installation | Visual inspection | pf_indoor |
| Air filtration | Visual inspection | pf_air_filtration |
When all applicable criteria pass, the system is eligible for QI certification. mQ calculates a Vitals Score that summarizes overall system health; QI requires a Vitals Score of 95% or higher.
Submitting mQ Reports as QI Verification
Once a test passes all QI criteria, measureQuick generates the verification certificates:
Verified Equipment Operation (VEO). Confirms that the installed equipment operates within manufacturer specifications. This certificate documents charge, airflow, electrical, and safety measurements.
Verified System Performance (VSP). Confirms that the complete system - equipment plus duct system - delivers the designed performance. This adds airflow delivery and static pressure verification to the equipment-level checks.
Energy Star Verified Installation. For systems that qualify, mQ generates an Energy Star certificate documenting that the installation meets Energy Star commissioning requirements.
These certificates are generated as PDF reports from the mQ app and stored in the cloud project. They can be shared directly with the homeowner, the ACCA QI program, manufacturer warranty departments, and utility rebate programs.
[Visual Reference] The QI certificate generation screen presents three certificate types: VEO (Verified Equipment Operation), VSP (Verified System Performance), and Energy Star Verified Installation. Each shows whether requirements are met before generation.
How the ACCA QI Workflow Structures Measurements
The QI workflow in mQ (A7) guides technicians through a structured sequence that ensures nothing is missed:
- Equipment identification - AI System Profiler or manual entry of make, model, serial for all components
- Refrigerant measurements - connect gauges and temperature probes; mQ calculates superheat and subcooling automatically
- Airflow measurements - connect airflow measurement tool; mQ calculates CFM and CFM-per-ton
- Static pressure - measure TESP at air handler or furnace
- Electrical - measure voltage and amperage
- Combustion (gas equipment) - connect combustion analyzer for CO, O2, draft, stack temperature
- Visual inspections - condensate, outdoor unit, indoor unit, air filtration pass/fail checks
- Photo documentation - attach photos of data plates, installation, and any issues
- Review and submit - mQ flags any failing criteria before certificate generation
This structured workflow means the technician does not need to memorize what QI requires. The app guides them through it.
Business Benefits of QI Certification
Market Differentiation
ACCA QI-certified contractors are listed in the ACCA contractor directory. Homeowners and builders searching for verified quality installers find QI contractors first. In a market where most contractors cannot prove their installation quality, QI provides documented evidence.
Manufacturer Partnerships
Several equipment manufacturers offer extended warranties, preferred pricing, or co-marketing support to QI-certified contractors. The manufacturer benefits because verified installations reduce warranty claims. The contractor benefits through better margins and stronger manufacturer relationships.
Utility Rebate Programs
Many utility companies require or prefer QI-verified installations for energy efficiency rebate programs. A mQ-generated QI certificate can serve as the required documentation, streamlining the rebate process for both the contractor and the homeowner.
Reduced Callbacks
Systems installed and verified to QI standards have measurably lower callback rates. The verification process catches problems before the technician leaves the job site. This reduces warranty costs, truck rolls, and customer dissatisfaction.
Premium Pricing Justification
QI certification gives contractors a concrete reason to charge more. When a homeowner asks why your installation costs more than a competitor's, the QI certificate is a tangible, third-party-verified answer. You are not just claiming quality; you are proving it.
Tips & Common Issues
What if a system fails one QI criterion?
Fix the issue and retest. mQ tracks which criteria failed, so you know exactly what needs correction. A common scenario: charge is within range but TESP is slightly high due to a restrictive filter. Replace the filter, remeasure, and the system passes.
Do I need ACCA membership for QI?
ACCA membership is not strictly required to use the QI workflow in mQ, but it significantly reduces the add-on cost ($100/month for ACCA members vs. $200/month for non-members). See for pricing details.
Can I use QI for replacement systems, not just new installs?
Yes. QI applies to any installation where the system is being commissioned, whether it is a new construction install or a replacement in an existing home. The measurements and verification process are the same.
How does QI relate to NATE or HVAC Excellence certification?
QI is a company-level certification for installation quality. NATE and HVAC Excellence (L16, L17) are individual technician certifications. They complement each other: QI verifies the work, while technician certifications verify the person doing the work.
Related Articles
Prerequisites:
- ACCA QI Setup - enabling and configuring the QI workflow in mQ
- Understanding mQ Pricing - subscription tiers and QI add-on costs
Follow-up articles:
- NCI Training Integration - another certification pathway supported by mQ
- Customer Education with Data - using QI reports in customer conversations
Related in the same domain:
- NATE Certification Support - individual technician certification
- HVAC Excellence Pathway - career-level technician certification
- Safety Compliance Documentation - using mQ data for regulatory compliance
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
- Visit acca.org for ACCA membership and QI program details
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