The insulation of ductwork is not always necessary, but there are plenty of situations where it makes sense for HVACR contractors.

Research from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has consistently shown about 30-40 percent of the air traveling through ductwork leaks, and if air is being pulled from somewhere, like a dirty crawlspace, it is going to effect IAQ.

To understand the operation of combustion air openings, it’s a good idea to review some airflow basics. For airflow to move through a duct, there must be a pressure difference across it created by an external source. Traditional installations depend on natural forces to create this pressure difference.

Airxchange Inc.’s Replacement Energy Recovery Wheels took home the gold award in the Ventilation category of this year’s Dealer Design Awards contest.

This electronically commutated motor (ECM) direct-drive fan option is available for use with the Aero® 39M commercial air handler.

CF Bathroom Exhaust Fans are available as complete fan assemblies and come in easy-to-install contractor packages. The units are designed to fit 3- and 4-inch duct sizes and include a built-in damper that prevents backdraft, keeping tempered air in the home when the fan is not operating.

These thinline stationary louvers can be used for interior and exterior applications where a high, free area for improved airflow is required or when narrow frame depth and horizontal sightlines are desired.

Where do contractors even begin when they are deciphering the options available to them in the high-efficiency arena? Are there certain types of products that are essential? Or, is each situation truly unique? To try and tackle these questions head-on, members of The NEWS’ advisory board were presented with a simple prompt: If you were to design a high-efficiency movement/ventilation equipment system, what products would you choose for the job and why?

OEMs are striving to improve efficiencies at all costs and seeking ways to offer better options and improved solutions to consumers. However, in the blower marketplace, tightening global regulations are forcing manufacturers to create products that cater to highly-specific consumer needs based upon different requirements in different regions.

Manufacturers of all sizes are introducing energy recovery ventilators (ERVs); heat recovery ventilators (HRVs); blowers; air curtains; high-velocity systems; and high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans that push the industry forward in response to a demand for more efficient ventilation systems.