Articles by David Richardson

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.

The first reason not to measure static pressure is because hooking up a refrigeration manifold to the system tells you everything you need to know. Don’t worry about the fact that this practice often leads to leaks, can introduce non-condensables, and can cause potential refrigerant contamination.

In order to understand the foundational principles of duct sizing, a thorough study of ACCA Manual D is a great place to start.

Several months ago, I wrote a Duct Dynasty article titled “Four Steps to Optimize a Duct System.” Since then, I’ve received numerous requests to expand on the simple calculations I mentioned that can help you estimate room airflow with a customer’s input.

It seems our industry is becoming “commoditized,” and we are unintentional accomplices. We’re too comfortable swapping equipment and installing silver bullets while moving away from providing true comfort.

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.

Tackling winter humidity issues can be a nightmare if you don’t have a grasp on the foundational principles that influence them. Have you ever wondered what causes some homes to be too dry even with a properly operating humidifier?

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.