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The good news is that once you measure static pressure, you can estimate fan airflow in less than 30 seconds with the right information. Once technicians understand that static pressure testing gets them to fan airflow, they will see why it is important to measure it on every call.

From homes and apartments to office buildings, hospitals, and schools, the average American spends 87 percent of their life indoors — and another 6 percent in enclosed vehicles. That means for the overwhelming majority of Americans, the air entering their bodies every day is directly impacted by the buildings that make up the environment.

You might wonder, “Why can’t I just use a duct calculator and tape measure to identify duct repairs?” You could, but that means making a lot of assumptions and wasting valuable time.

Ductwork is a mandatory comfort delivery system. In fact, the only thing optional about it is whether or not HVAC contractors make their own fittings and duct runs.

Although ductwork doesn’t require quite as much maintenance as other HVAC equipment does, there are steps to be taken to ensure its longevity, safety, and efficient operation.

Following are four examples — a kosher wine shipping center, a chiller plant in a marine research lab, a community pool, and a 10th-floor medical office retrofit — that illustrate just how creative high-efficiency products can be when it comes to unique solutions for everyday issues.

As common as the duct leakage problem is, it’s also very easy to go in with less-than-adequate knowledge for solving the problem in customers’ homes due to all the possible variables in play.

Energy represents the single fastest-growing operating cost in the lodging industry, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). Decisions on guest room equipment amplify by dozens or hundreds in a single property. The mechanical systems work on such a scale that any amount of waste can add up to a significant financial loss or missed opportunity while, on the other hand, minor savings in one area can accumulate to an appreciable gain.

Many of the calls I receive about goofy static pressure readings typically tie into one of five issues. Let’s look at these issues and how you can be sure they don’t affect your measurements.