NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Current Category: Best Practices

If You Don’t Measure, You’re Just Guessing

If You Don't Measure, You're Just Guessing by David Holt, NCI Director Sales & Service Leadership I’m a huge college football fan. When the games begin in late August, I’m either glued to the TV or I’m visiting football stadiums around the country enjoying some...

IAQ/Mold: No Silver Bullet – Just Get Bullet-Proof

by Dominick Guarino

It's amazing how many contractors are still looking for a "Silver Bullet" solution to mold. Ideally we would have some magical pixie dust you sprinkle on a home or building to make it mold-proof, or better yet, to cure all existing mold issues forever. In this attempt...

How to Size a New Fan Belt

by Rob "Doc" Falke

When you spin an adjustable pulley and increase its diameter to squeeze a little more air out of a belt-drive fan, there are times you'll find the old belt no longer fits. The first fix is to loosen the bolts on the motor mount and slide the motor as close to the fan...

How to Maintain Your Combustion Analyzer

by Jim Davis

The primary goal of combustion testing is to take readings you can trust so you can evaluate the operating condition of the combustion appliance. In order to take readings you can trust you have to be sure your combustion analyzer remains in tip-top shape. The...

How to Get Diagnostic Work

by Rob "Doc" Falke

Nearly all systems are in need of air-side and combustion diagnostic, but getting permission to test the systems, and getting the customer to agree to pay for repairs requires more than technical genius. We asked a number of successful NCI Performance-Based...

How Much Cooling Can Your Fan Afford?

by Rob "Doc" Falke

The quest for higher efficiency cooling equipment is hitting a barrier. Unsuspecting installing contractors are being handed hidden liability that is difficult to identify and resolve. Certain cooling coils are being built for the highest possible SEER rating, but...

Honest Abe Wouldn’t Guess: He’d Measure

by David Holt

Honest Abe Wouldn't Guess: He'd Measure by David Holt The measure of a great country are the people who lead it. Each February, the United States of America celebrates the birth of our greatest -- the 16th President of the United States -- Abraham "Honest Abe" Lincoln...

Home Performance Belongs to the HVAC Industry

by Dominick Guarino

There’s more hype and misleading information than ever out there with regards to what constitutes “home performance.” Today, you are faced with several important issues, including what role you should play with regard to home performance. Outside of some basic...

Goal Setting That Works!

by Nita Brooks

Goal Setting That Works! Nita Brooks, NCI Business Solutions Development Manager Goal setting is a powerful process that will allow you to take control of the direction of your future and personal development. When done properly, goal setting changes your life and...

Friday Morning Training

by Rob "Doc" Falke

One common trait of successful NCI contractors is that they provide some form of continuous training to technicians, salespeople and installers. One traditional time slot for this training is Friday mornings. Few manage to hold training every Friday, but those that...