It can be quite a challenging task, but these simple tips can alleviate some of the trouble.

A question I’m frequently asked is, where do you start when improving a poorly performing duct system? Do you tear it out and start over again, or is there an easier way? The good news is, there is a simple, logical pattern you can follow to optimize a duct system.

There is an epidemic in our industry of contractors trying to cram too much air through a filter that can’t handle it. It’s common to hear stories of 5-ton equipment trying to pull all its return air through a 16-by-25-by-1-inch pleated filter.

One of the most effective ways to measure airflow is through a method known as a traverse. While a traverse offers an accurate means of determining airflow, it is rarely used by HVAC professionals due to its intimidating nature.

While the equipment tonnage is often quoted on proposals, how can you be sure the equipment’s potential is really being achieved? Is it possible your installation practices are contributing to lost cooling efficiency? Let’s look at what causes lost tonnage and how you can ensure it’s not happening because of your company.

Let’s examine the top five factors that commonly contribute to individual room comfort problems and how you can discover them.

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.

Is it possible there are negative effects caused by uninsulated ducts in conditioned spaces we may have overlooked for decades? Let’s look at some problems you might encounter due to this practice and how you can determine the impact on the performance of your systems.

Being accountable for proper airflow delivery causes a tech to examine every portion of an installation differently. Airflow is no longer assumed since test instruments now measure it. Let’s look at some of the most common obstacles to achieving a successful air balance on a residential HVAC system.

A few months ago, I wrote a Duct Dynasty article on the ideal duct system. The most frequent comments and questions I received about this article were regarding branch takeoffs. So, I thought it would be fun to take a deeper look at branch duct takeoffs and how to overcome some of the most common problems associated with them.