The air duct calculator, or “ductulator,” is a commonly used tool for designing and installing duct systems. Unfortunately, many designers and technicians receive limited instructions on its correct use.
There seem to be fewer family-owned mechanical companies every year, especially in the South where fast a/c service is king, and competition is as fierce as anywhere in the country.
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.
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.
Though consumers are becoming more familiar with IAQ, it’s important for HVAC contractors to facilitate conversations that focus on indoor environmental problems and solutions and then let them make their own decisions.
Mold can be found everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. However, it’s usually not a problem until it begins growing indoors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to mold can cause a number of health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. Mold can be a serious issue if left untreated, which is perhaps one of the reasons most HVAC contractors tend to avoid it.
While proper ventilation can sell itself for those who suffer from allergies, it can be a more difficult sell to the rest of the population. Many homeowners are more concerned with ensuring their HVAC system is keeping a consistent temperature than maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ). But, in recent years, more and more studies are linking health issues with indoor air pollution. By making homeowners aware of these results, you can help them make an informed decisions for proper ventilation and air quality improvements.
Several homeowners nationwide regard Field Controls’ Healthy Home System as a premium-tier whole-house indoor air quality solution. In addition to offering multiple layers of fresh, pure, and clean air, the Healthy Home System recently played an ancillary role in one family’s recovery from the aftermath of childhood cancer.
The GPS-iClean's ease of installation as well as its nearly nonexistent maintenance requirements have earned it gold in the Indoor Air Quality category.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has been growing as part of the HVAC landscape for years, specifically within the IAQ arena. ASHRAE's validation is certainly a huge step forward for UV, but many manufacturers believe this technology has already proven its value, as its growth and expansion began years ago.