This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ACHRNews logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHRNews logo
  • Magazine
    • Subscribe
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Edition
    • Archives
    • The NEWS eNewsletter
  • News
    • Breaking News
    • Newsline
    • FYI
    • Distribution Trends
    • Standards & Legislation
    • Manufacturer Reports
  • Products
    • HVACR Industry Store
    • Top 20 Products of 2018
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • AHR 2019 Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Infographic
    • Photo Galleries
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
    • The NEWS HVACR Quiz
    • Online Poll
  • Refrigeration
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Reclaim
    • FROSTlines
  • Service
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Duct Dynasty
    • Service 101
    • Components & Accessories
  • Business 101
    • Training & Education
    • Service, Apps & Software
    • Opinions
    • Guest Column
    • The Coach's Blog
  • Residential
    • Home Automation
    • Residential Ductless
    • Residential Geothermal
    • Residential IAQ
    • Residential Cooling Showcase
    • Residential Heating Showcase
  • Commercial
    • Internet of Things
    • Commercial Ductless
    • Commercial Geothermal
    • Commercial IAQ
    • Commercial Cooling Showcase
    • Commercial Heating Showcase
    • Marijuana Market
  • Directory
    • Manufacturers
    • Wholesalers
    • Consultants/Services
    • Manufacturers Reps
    • Associations
    • Parts & Equipment Exporters
    • List/Update Your Company
  • More
    • Editorial Calendar & Editor Assignments
    • Calendar of Events
    • Classifieds
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProduct Info
    • White Papers
    • Contests
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Submit a Letter
Home » Troubleshooting Challenge: An Uncomfortable Customer
Service & MaintenanceExtra Edition

Troubleshooting Challenge: An Uncomfortable Customer

January 5, 2009
Jim Johnson
Reprints
No Comments
Figure 1. (Click on the image for an enlarged view.)

This month’s troubleshooting situation centers around a very recently installed heating and cooling system, and a customer who has called to complain that certain rooms in the house “just don’t seem to be getting enough air.”

(Before we begin with the specific troubleshooting information on this situation, we’ll establish a couple of points… First, the problem isn’t related to the refrigeration system in any way, and second, there are no electrical problems contributing to the complaint. In this situation, we’re dealing with an airflow problem. Note that Figure 1 shows the design of the supply duct system exactly as it appears in the attic crawl space.)

When you arrive at the customer’s home, you find that the two rooms the customer is complaining about are closest to the air-handling unit in this duct system that employs one central return and an extended plenum system on the supply duct assembly. In assessing the situation, you determine that the airflow from each supply register in these two rooms should be approximately 120 cfm, but when you measure the airflow with a digital velocity meter, you find the airflow to be approximately 90 cfm. As your next step, you move on to the crawl space to check the supply ductwork and find no leakage or crushed duct, but you do find, as we mentioned above, the supply duct system in Figure 1.

Your troubleshooting problem: What design flaw is responsible for the specific airflow problem we’ve described in this situation?

Compare your answer with ours by clicking here.

Publication date: 01/05/2009  
Subscribe to The NEWS

Recent Articles by Jim Johnson

Hosting Successful In-House HVAC Training

Troubleshooting Puzzle: An Uncomfortable Bedroom

Troubleshooting puzzle: A Heat Pump That’s Not Operating

Writing a Company Mission Statement

Troubleshooting Puzzle: A Follow-Up on a Refrigeration System Repair

Headshot-johnson-jim
Jim Johnson is the director of training for Technical Training Associates, a Tucson, Ariz.-based firm that provides HVACR technician training DVDs/videos, E-books, and workshops. For more information, call 520-625-6847 or visit www.techtrainassoc.com. 

Related Articles

Troubleshooting Puzzle: An Uncomfortable Bedroom

Troubleshooting Challenge: An Air Conditioning System that Won’t Cool Enough

Troubleshooting Challenge: An Older Heat Pump With a Problem in Cool Night/Warm Day Weather

Troubleshooting Challenge: An A/C System That’s Not Keeping the House Comfortable

Related Products

Electrical Troubleshooting & Schematics For Electromechanical and Electronic Systems DVD

HVAC/R Electrical Troubleshooting: Deciding where to begin DVD

HVAC/R Electrical Troubleshooting: Component Testing Training Kit

HVACR Electrical Troubleshooting: Deciding Where To Begin Training Kit

Related Events

E-Commerce Challenges Facing Distributors

Related Directories

Custom Coils Inc.

Custom Controls Co.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscription Center
  • Subscribe
  • Online Registration
  • E-Newsletters
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content What Is Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the ACHR News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep.

Close
Trane-indoor-air-quality-product-01
Sponsored By
Trane Residential

Protecting Your Customers’ Indoor Air Quality Is More Important Than Ever

From seasonal maintenance to a system upgrade, your business is actually centered around providing the best indoor air experience, with quality at the core.

Popular Stories

Breaking News - The ACHR News

Ingersoll Rand Increases Prices on HVAC products

R-22 Phaseout

Using (or Abusing) the R-22 Phaseout as a Sales Tool

Senate HFC Phasedown Bill

Senate HFC Phasedown Plan Debuts With Broad Support

Breaking News - The ACHR News

Lennox Industries Inc. Announces Price Increase

Troubleshooting-situation

Troubleshooting Puzzle: An Uncomfortable Bedroom

The ACHR News Airpod Giveaway

Events

December 7, 2019

2019 HARDI Annual Conference

The major 4-day event for HARDI members brings together distributors, manufacturers and other vendors ready to drive their businesses forward. 

September 16, 2020

2020 World Congress for Solar Cooling

IASC seeks submissions that represent the best contemporary and innovative technology and thinking about Solar Cooling from a global and diverse range of designers, consultants, practitioners, engineers, architects, educators, thought-leaders, students and other professionals concerned with cooling, people, buildings and energy.
View All Submit An Event

Poll

Holiday Appreciation

What is your preferred way to show employees your appreciation during the holiday season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

"More & New" HVAC Spells Wealth - book

"More & New" HVAC Spells Wealth - book

See More Products
The NEWS - ACHR - Logo The NEWS - ACHR - Digital Edition
Digital Edition

ACHRNEWS

The ACHR News - December 2, 2019

2019 December 2

Week 1: December 2
In this issue of The ACHR NEWS, we look at unique applications of HVAC technology, and new markets contractors should consider expanding into.

Week 2: December 9
We also examine Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, and the benefits that contractors can pass along to their customers through the equipment.

View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • Submit a Letter
    • Submit a Press Release
    • Mechanical Group
    • List Rental
    • Ad Specs
    • Reprints
    • eProduct Info
    • Survey And Sample
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More?
    • Subscribe
    • Connect

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing