Test Mode Navigation
What You'll Learn
- What test modes are and why selecting the correct mode matters
- How to switch between cooling modes (A/C, Heat Pump, Non-Invasive, Mini Split)
- How to switch to heating modes (Heat Pump heat, Gas Furnace)
- How test mode selection affects diagnostic targets, pass/fail criteria, and required measurements
- How to handle heat pump systems that require testing in both cooling and heating modes
What You'll Need
- Device: iPhone (iOS 15+) or Android phone/tablet (Android 10+) with measureQuick installed
- App version: v3.5 or later
- Account: A measureQuick account (see Installing the measureQuick App)
- Knowledge: Familiarity with workflow navigation (see Understanding Workflow UI Navigation)
- Time: 10 minutes to read; practice with Demo Mode as needed
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Understand Why Test Mode Matters
When you start a test, the app needs to know what type of system you are testing and its operating mode. This selection determines:
- Which measurements are required. A cooling test expects suction/liquid temperatures and pressures. A gas furnace test expects combustion readings (CO, CO2, O2, stack temperature, draft).
- What the diagnostic targets are. Superheat and subcooling targets differ between A/C and heat pump cooling modes. Gas furnace targets are entirely different (temperature rise, combustion efficiency).
- How pass/fail criteria are calculated. Each test mode applies its own allowable ranges.
- What the report includes. The PDF report structures its sections based on the test mode.
Selecting the wrong test mode produces incorrect targets and misleading pass/fail results. Always confirm the mode matches the actual equipment.
Step 2: Access Test Mode Selection
There are two ways to set the test mode:
From a Guided Workflow:
- Tap Start a Project from the home screen.
- Select Guided Workflows.
- Choose the workflow type that matches your job. The workflow type sets the test mode automatically.
For example, selecting "A/C or Heat Pump Installation" sets the test mode to a cooling mode. Selecting "Gas Furnace Installation / Service" sets it to gas furnace mode. Selecting "Heat Pump: Heating" sets it to heat pump heating mode.
From a Quick Start or manual project:
- Start a new project.
- On the system profile screen, select the system type (Split A/C, Heat Pump, Package Unit, Gas Furnace, Mini Split, etc.).
- The test mode is derived from the system type and can be adjusted on the test screen.
System type selection screen showing Cooling, Heating, and Visual Doc options
Step 3: Navigate Cooling Test Modes
measureQuick supports several cooling modes:
A/C - Standard split-system air conditioning or heat pump in cooling mode. Requires high-side and low-side pressures, liquid/suction line temperatures, supply/return air temperatures, and outdoor ambient. Targets include superheat, subcooling, temperature split, and saturation temperatures.
Heat Pump (cooling) - Heat pump in cooling mode. Similar to A/C mode with additional consideration for the reversing valve.
Non-Invasive A/C or Heat Pump - No manifold gauge connections. Uses temperature differentials, electrical readings, and airflow data. Does not calculate superheat or subcooling from pressure readings; relies on temperature split, airflow, and power consumption instead.
Mini Split - Ductless mini-split systems with unique measurement points.
To change the cooling mode after starting a test, use the mode selector on the test screen or in the system profile.
Test screen showing "Cooling - IN PROJECT" header with gauge display and system type selection for Cooling, Heating, and Visual Doc
Step 4: Navigate Heating Test Modes
Gas Furnace - Requires combustion analysis: CO, CO2, O2, stack temperature, draft pressure, combustion air temperature, manifold pressure, temperature rise, and flue velocity. The Vitals Score for gas furnace mode requires 7+ physical probes (vs. 9+ for cooling/heating).
Heat Pump in Heat Mode - The refrigerant circuit reverses: the outdoor unit becomes the evaporator, the indoor unit becomes the condenser. Key differences from cooling mode:
- Superheat is measured at the outdoor unit (now the evaporator)
- Subcooling is measured at the indoor unit (now the condenser)
- Outdoor ambient affects heating capacity calculations
- Defrost cycles may temporarily alter readings
Non-Invasive Heat Pump in Heat Mode - Heating assessment without manifold gauges. Uses temperature, airflow, and electrical measurements.
Test mode selection showing heating options - Gas Furnace, Heat Pump: Heating, Non-Invasive Heat Pump: Heating
Step 5: Switching Modes During a Test
If you need to change modes mid-test, access the system profile or mode selector and select the correct mode. The app recalculates all targets and pass/fail criteria. Captured data is preserved, but the diagnostic interpretation changes. You may need to re-capture measurements if probe placement differs between modes.
Step 6: Testing Heat Pumps in Both Modes
Heat pump commissioning often requires testing in both cooling and heating modes. Create separate tests within the same project:
- Complete the cooling mode test and save.
- Switch the system to heating mode and allow it to stabilize.
- Start a new test, select Heat Pump: Heating, and reposition probes as needed.
- Complete and save the heating mode test.
Both tests appear on the project report, documenting performance in both modes.
Important: Heating mode performance varies with outdoor temperature. Testing at mild temperatures (above 45F) may not reveal issues that appear at colder conditions. See the video walkthrough below for details.
Project view showing two saved tests - one in cooling mode and one in heating mode - under the same project
Test Mode and Guided Workflow Mapping
| Guided Workflow | Test Mode Set |
|---|---|
| A/C or Heat Pump Installation | Cooling (A/C or HP) |
| A/C or Heat Pump Retrocommissioning | Cooling (A/C or HP) |
| A/C or Heat Pump Service / Maintenance | Cooling (A/C or HP) |
| COOLING - ACCA VEO Certificate | Cooling (VEO requirements) |
| Package Unit Installation | Cooling (Package) |
| Package Unit Service | Cooling (Package) |
| Gas Furnace Installation / Service | Gas Furnace |
| Heat Pump: Heating | Heat Pump Heating |
| HEATING - ACCA VEO Certificate | Heating (VEO requirements) |
If you use Guided Workflows, the test mode is pre-selected. If you start a manual project, you must select the mode yourself.
Video Walkthrough
Accessing mQ test modes: (1:32) - Direct walkthrough of how to access and switch between test modes in the app
Probe placement for heat pump heating mode: (21,950 views, 1:41) - Shows where probes go when testing a heat pump in heating mode, accounting for the reversed refrigerant flow
You Can't Commission A Heat Pump In Heating Mode - Here's Why: (29:46) - Detailed explanation of heat pump heating mode limitations and the correct approach to heat pump commissioning
Tips & Common Issues
I started a test in the wrong mode
Change the test mode from the system profile or mode selector. The app recalculates targets and pass/fail criteria. You may need to re-capture some measurements if probe placement differs between modes (especially switching between cooling and heating on a heat pump).
My heat pump readings look wrong in heating mode
Verify that probe placement accounts for the reversed refrigerant circuit. In heating mode, the outdoor unit is the evaporator and the indoor unit is the condenser. If your probes are placed for cooling mode, the readings will be assigned to the wrong measurements. See Probe placement for heat pump heating mode for correct placement.
What is Non-Invasive mode and when should I use it?
Use it for initial screening, maintenance visits where opening the refrigerant circuit is not warranted, or when manifold gauges are not available. It relies on temperature differentials and indirect measurements rather than pressure-based superheat/subcooling.
The targets look different from my coworker's on the same system
Confirm you are both using the same test mode and that the metering device type (TXV vs. piston/orifice) is set correctly in the system profile. Different modes and metering device settings produce different target ranges.
Can I test a dual-fuel system (heat pump + gas furnace)?
Yes. Test the heat pump in cooling mode and/or heating mode, then create a separate test for the gas furnace. Both tests can exist within the same project. This documents the complete system, including the backup gas heating stage.
Related Articles
Prerequisites (you may need these first):
Follow-up articles (next steps after this one):
Related in the same domain:
Need Help?
Contact measureQuick support: support@measurequick.com
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