About COOL SMART

Rebates on Central Air Conditioning, PLUS
Valuable services to ensure quality installation!

COOL SMART is a residential central air conditioning rebate program that promotes best installation practices, education, and training for HVAC technicians/contractors, and the sales and purchases of ENERGY STAR qualified high-efficiency air conditioning equipment.

The COOL SMART program launched in 2004. By the end of 2008, 7528 customers received rebates totaling $3,093,986.

How to participate in the COOL SMART program:

1. Confirm your eligibility. MA and RI residential customers of program sponsors National Grid and NSTAR Electric with central air conditioning or heat pump systems are eligible.*
2. Ask your HVAC contractor to download information and forms from www.mycoolsmart.com, or use one of the contractors on our list to ensure quality service.
3. Ask your contractor to check for duct leakage, proper sizing, refrigerant charge and airflow of your central air conditioner or heat pump system, or discuss installation of a new, more efficient system. For the optimum in service, you may also wish to request an ENERGY STAR Quality Installation.
4. Once the work is done, complete and mail in a COOL SMART program rebate form. Rebate forms are available online or by calling 1-800-473-1105.

COOL SMART supports the ENERGY STAR QI (Quality Installation) Standard

COOL SMART is strengthening its 2009 program by including ENERGY STAR practices that pertain to ACCA's HVAC Quality Installation Specification. This standard, approved by the American National Standards Institute, describes precisely the steps a contractor must take to ensure a truly quality HVAC installation. After a system passes inspection, the customer receives an EPA ENERGY STAR certificate showing that the installation meets the guidelines.

The QI Specification identifies requirements associated with quality installations (proper sizing and refrigerant charge, airflow measurement across coil; reduced duct leakage), acceptable procedures for measurement and verification, and guidelines for documentation to show compliance. It is an additional voluntary step above COOL SMART QIV available through certain contractors upon request.

QIV is a SMART way to ensure quality and energy savings!

QIV analysis checks for proper refrigerant charge and airflow of your central air conditioner or heat pump system. Although QIV installation is not required for equipment rebates, COOL SMART recommends it to ensure your system is performing at its best.

Easy Four Step QIV Process

1. A COOL SMART trained air-conditioning technician tests the system while it's running and takes a series of measurements.
2. The results are analyzed instantly via computer.
3. Needed adjustments are made.
4. Customers receive a confirmation report from COOL SMART by mail.

Buy better, not bigger… sizing and other indicators to ensure quality and comfort

Air conditioning units which are "oversized" in terms of cooling capacity typically cost more to purchase and operate. Oversized units cycle on and off too often and don't dehumidify correctly, which decreases comfort. Hiring a contractor who uses ACCA Manual J or an equivalent "right sizing" method is important. Repairing or installing ducts to permit adequate airflow to match the "right sizing" will help maximize value, comfort and energy savings. Learn more about COOL SMART's Right Sizing Incentive.

Additional indicators of a quality installation

Utilize best practices by reaching the ENERGY STAR QI (Quality Installation) Standard Ask for duct sealing, insulating and tightening the home, and combustion safety tests. Use a technician certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), for proven knowledge about how to size and install your system. See the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling at www.energystar.gov/hvacguide.

"Quality" is more than just a word - you can demonstrate it with QIV!

	Checking Airflow is Important!
A recent New England study of air conditioning system refrigerant levels found that 31% were undercharged, while 28% were overcharged. This means that less than half of all units tested were properly charged. Charge can only be set properly with respect to airflow, which is not usually checked. Incorrect charge and/or airflow reduce energy efficiency, can lead to more callbacks and, ultimately, may result in shorter system life or compressor failure! *Offers valid only for residential customers in MA and RI where COOL SMART is offered by National Grid and NSTAR Electric. If you are an NSTAR Electric customer on Martha's Vineyard or Cape Cod, or a Cape Light Compact, WMECo or Unitil customer, check with your service provider about program rebates.
	“An efficient system starts with proper air flow. Low air flow = low capacity = energy wasted, compressing excess refrigerant. Cool the house, don't flood the compressor.” -Senior manager, compressor manufacturer