What this checklist covers
ENERGY STAR's guidance on HVAC quality installation names four things to ask a contractor for: equipment properly designed and sized for the home using its actual characteristics rather than a rule of thumb; system airflow that meets the manufacturer's performance specifications; a refrigerant charge that is tested and adjusted; and a duct system that is inspected, leakage tested and repaired. It warns that oversized equipment may cycle too often, with less comfort and a shorter life.
This checklist builds the start-up around those four, with the installation steps that come before them and the hand-off after. Always follow the equipment's installation instructions and your local code; where they differ from this list, they win. For the load calculation, our HVAC load calculator gives a first estimate, not a permit-grade calculation.
How to use it
Tick each item as you go. The sheet saves in this browser, so you can close the page and come back. Print a blank copy for the truck, or fill it in on your phone and print or save it as a PDF for the customer at the end.
With Koira: Maintenance plans
A new system is the best moment to sell a plan. Koira puts a plan on the invoice, bills it and books the first tune-up, so the customer you just installed for stays yours.
Sources
- ENERGY STAR: HVAC quality installation, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.