OPERATION MANUALHERS POWERED FLOW HOOD

MODEL: WHF-PFH

MAKERS OF THE QUIETCOOL ADVANCED WHOLE HOUSE FAN

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GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read Instructions - All safety and operation instructions must be read. Failure to read and follow

instructions as stated in this guide may void applicable warranty.

2. Retain Instructions - The safety and operating instructions should be kept for future reference.

3. Heed Warnings - All warnings should be followed.

4. Follow Instructions - All installation and operating instructions should be followed.

5. Damage Requiring Service - Only qualified service personnel should service the system.

The user should not attempt to service the product.6. Maneuvering the Unit - When lifting stand or moving the unit around the house, be very careful not to drag it and cause any damage to the floor or building. If necessary, use a protective material such as pad, soft tarp, etc. to protect the flooring and structure.

CONTENTS

1. SAFETY INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

2. SETUP INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

2.1 Fan Base Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

2.2 Flow Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

2.3 Connecting Flow Hood to Base Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

2.4 Connecting Flow Hood to Digital Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3. CALIFORNIA HERS RA3.9.4.1.2 FOR WHF AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

4. PERFORMING AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT FOR RA3.9.4.1.2(4) STEP 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

5. TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Blower Door Stand

Powered Flow Hood (All components come preassembled)

i. Top Frame

ii. Bottom Frame

iii. Nylon fabric connecting the two with Velcro

iv. Coroplast rectangular cutout

v. Soft plastic tubing with 4 barbed tee fittings (pressure taps)

vi. Fiberglass poles (QTY: 4)

Bottom square Frame 27.5” x 27.5”

Top Octagonal Frame

Telescoping Legs

i. 48” Long 1” square tubing (QTY: 4)

ii. 44” Long 0.75” square tubing (QTY: 4)

Fan strap

Carabiner Clips (QTY: 4)

Chain Section 3” Long (QTY: 4)

Spring-loaded adjustable poles (QTY: 4)

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1. SAFETY INFORMATION

IMPORTANT: This product is to be used in conjunction with any model blower door fan. ALWAYS follow the fan manufacturer

guidelines regarding safety precautions and operating conditions.

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed. If Powered Flow Hood equipment is used in a manner that does not follow the information provided in this manual, safety to the operator and equipment performance may be impaired.

To protect against the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons during fan operation:

• Do not operate any fan with a damaged electrical cord. Discard fan or return to an authorized service facility for examination and/or repair.

• Do not run cord under carpeting. Do not cover cord with throw rugs, runners, or similar coverings. Do not route cord under furniture or appliances. Arrange cord away from traffic area and where it will not be tripped over.

• Do not place this equipment or power cord in water or other liquid.

• Use only the included power plug to operate the fan. Do not use ungrounded outlets or adapter plugs.

• Never remove or modify the grounding prong.

• Turn the unit off and unplug from electrical outlet before moving and when not in use, and when making any adjustments to the fan motor, blades or electrical components.

For use under indoor conditions only, where there is no exposure to water or dusty substances or explosive materials or flammable materials.

Do not use equipment for other than its intended use.

The fan is designed to be used while mounted in the base stand. At high-speed, the fan can tip over if not secured properly and basestand not on a level flat surface. The fan/hood can cause damage or injury if it were to fall on someone/something.

Failing to operate equipment as intended may void warranty.

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2. SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT: Prior and during assembly, inspect all components including fabric, frames, connecting points, plastic tubing, etc. Look for tears, cuts, punctures or anything which may yield inaccurate results or may cause injury to operator.

2.1 Fan Base Stand

NOTE: It is always best to setup base stand near the grill of fan to be tested

1. Lay the bottom square frame flat

a. Attach each (4) of the 1” square tube legs using the button pins

b. Insert ¾” square tube leg into the 1” leg and adjust to height needed using

button pins

i. Top of frame needs to be between 4’-5’ from ceiling

ii. It is recommended to adjust height of legs prior to adding top octagonal

frame

c. FOR RETROTEC FANS:

i. Slide Retrotec fan in between the 4 legs (See pictures below)

ii. Place fan strap carabiners into hooks on top octagonal frame (See pictures below)

iii. Insert octagonal frame pegs into the 4 rectangular legs (See pictures below)

iv. Work the fan strap around the Retrotec fan, buckle it together and pull tightly (See pictures below)

d. FOR TEC MODEL 3 FANS: Add top octagonal frame by sliding the pegs into the 4 legs. Lay down and

install blower door fan into stand by attaching carabiners to hooks (see picutres below)

2. Pick stand back up carefully and slide stand off to the side to make room for setting up the flow hood

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2.2 Flow Hood

1. Expand flow hood by inserting the 4 flexible poles into the inside corners of the hood area

a. There are socket holes in each corner (top and bottom) for poles to slide into

2. Insert adjustable poles into rotating pvc knuckle

3. Stand up hood and adjust poles to get hood flush with the ceiling.

IMPORTANT: Make sure no canned lights, vents or openings of any

kind are on ceiling area within the flow hood. If there are, tape them

off completely or test may yield inaccurate results.

4. Ensure hood is flush by lightly pushing up on bottom of hood.

a. If you see the top of hood move, readjust poles by going higher.

b. Check again and repeat if necessary, until top of hood is flush with

ceiling.

2.3 Connecting Flow Hood to Base Stand

1. Slide Base Stand with fan directly under the

flow hood

2. Pull transition duct around the blower door

fan and work the drawstring around the fan.

Pull drawstring towards the middle of fan

housing to ensure no openings are present

between the fan housing and the transition

duct

a. If necessary, fold and overlap

transition duct and pull drawstring

tight

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2.4 Connecting Flow Hood to Digital Gauge

1. Take the pressure tap coming out the bottom of the flow hood and connect it

to the input tap to read pressure.

2. See page 9 for complete connection details.

Complete WHF-PFH with TEC Model 3 Fan Complete WHF-PFH with Retrotec Fan

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3. CALIFORNIA HERS RA3.9.4.1.2 FOR WHF AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT

IMPORTANT: Read this before equipment setup!

IMPORTANT: For proper usage as a powered flow hood for testing airflow, please refer to

Reference Appendices RA3.9.4.1.2. This device is designed to be compliant with that protocol.

The WHF-PFH is approved to be used with the Retrotec 5000/6000 series blower door fans,

and TEC Model 3 110V series blower door.

NOTE: Retrotec 5000 series will only work with the WHF-PFH to measure up to 4500 CFM

The WHF airflow measurement shall be performed using the following procedures:

1. Open the window(s) that are typically opened during WHF operation.

2. Turn on all WHFs required to meet the dwelling unit WHF airflow rate. Adjust multiple or

variable speed WHFs to operate at an airflow rate that will be greater than or equal to the

rate required for compliance.

3. Adjust the dwelling unit window openings to bring the dwelling unit to the WHF-OP of

negative 10 Pa ± 5 Pa WRT outside.

4. Measure the airflow rate(s) at the inlet grille(s) with a calibrated powered flow hood to

determine the total WHF airflow for the dwelling unit.

No part of the WHF intake shall be blocked or masked off to accommodate an undersized hood.

Operation of the powered flow hood shall conform to the specifications in the manufacturer’s

product documentation.

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4. PERFORMING AIRFLOW MEASUREMENT FOR RA3.9.4.1.2(4) STEP 4

1. Make sure whole house fan(s) are off and note the speed being tested on each if there are multiple

2. Setup and install WHF-PFH on first fan to be tested if there are multiple fans and select appropriate

ring

a. If flow channel is reading “LOW” after you zero out with “open” Ring. Refer to blower door fan

manufacturer instructions to install Ring “A”

3. On both TEC and Retrotec fans, connect pressure tap from flow hood to channel A (pressure channel)

input tap on digital gauge

4. On both TEC and Retrotec fans, leave the channel A (pressure channel) reference tap open to read

pressure inside the dwelling

5. On TEC Model 3 fan, connect the pressure tap from the blower door fan to the channel B (flow

channel) input tap

6. On Retrotec fans, connect the pressure tap from the blower door fan to the channel B (flow channel)

reference tap

7. On TEC Model 3 fan, leave the channel B (flow channel) reference tap open to reference inside the

dwelling

8. On Retrotec fans, leave the channel B (flow channel) input tap open to read pressure inside the

dwelling

9. It is suggested to turn on blower door fan prior to whole house fan to pressurize the flow hood

slightly

10. Turn on whole house fan(s) and adjust blower door fan accordingly to “zero out” the pressure in the

flow hood

11. Document your airflow reading

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5. TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Failure of HERS testing may be caused by a number of factors.

Here is a list of troubleshooting tips to assist in detecting some possible causes of HERS

failure that pertain to this testing equipment, and apparatus.

• If it is ducted whole house fan, examine ductwork for improper installation including too

sharp of a bend, too many bends, excessive length or any obstructions on exhaust side of

fan

• Verify that the WFH-PFH hood does not have any rips or tears on the fabric

• Verify the airflow measurement taps in the hood are not in path of the airflow

• Verify all tube connections are properly connected for airflow measurement apparatus and

hood adapter system.

• Ensure proper connection of the WHF-PFH flow hood to testing fan apparatus has a tight

seal at the collar to fan connection. Leakages at the collar will produce inaccurate results,

and may not allow the hood to reach 0 Pa required for HERS testing.

• Ensure proper connection of the WHF-PFH flow hood to ceiling has a tight seal at all four

corners of the hood. Leakages at the hood to ceiling connection may produce inaccurate

results, and may not allow the hood to reach 0 Pa required for HERS testing.

• Be sure to use calibrated airflow measurement apparatus when performing HERS testing.

Refer to manufacturer manuals for keeping calibrations current.

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• If whole house fan product has a ducted system, ensure the duct is installed per

manufacturer instructions for the whole house fan. Improper installation may cause HERS

test failure.

• If whole house fan system has damper doors, ensure dampers are opening/closing as

expected. Malfunctioning damper doors may produce HERS test failures.

• If whole house fan is a multi-speed system, verify that you are testing at the lowest speed

required to meet the minimum WHF airflow rate listed on CF-1R report. Title 24 reports that

have modeled medium speeds for 2019 code, only need to be tested at medium speed.

• If the measured flow rate is failing (too low) try running WHF at a higher speed.

• If the measured airflow rate is failing HERS test at its highest operating speed, check the

attic pressure with reference to the home. Attic pressure WRT the home should be less than

40 Pa. Higher readings may indicate the home may not have enough venting for the installed

WHF.

• If the whole house fan is moving high volumes of air and you are unable to zero out the

hood, adjust the stand to be closer to the bottom of the flow hood. Aim for about 1’ away.

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Rev. 6-11-20

MAKERS OF THE QUIETCOOL ADVANCED WHOLE HOUSE FAN