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.

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.

Airflow is a general term that’s easy to misinterpret. When I first learned about airflow, I had to classify it into four values that made sense to me. The easiest options are the measurement location or source of the airflow reading.

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?