NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Current Article Library Category: Air Conditioning

How Does Air Balancing Save Energy?

How Does Air Balancing Save Energy? by Rob "Doc" Falke, President, NCI Air balancing is a relatively small specialty profession with less than 3,000 commercial supervisors certified by four major organizations. There are fewer than 7,000 residential balancing...

How Change Orders Keep a Job Profitable

A substantial amount of the work many of us do is based on a fixed price quote, taken from a predefined scope of work. Plan and spec work has, just as the name implies, a set of plans and specifications that we are bound by contract to follow. But what happens when...

HeatMaxx and CoolMaxx Testing a Huge Success!

We're not quite sure what's driving it, but it appears the HeatMaxx and CoolMaxx service programs are becoming the newest shining stars among NCI-certified contractors. Perhaps it's the change to 13 SEER minimum efficiency equipment that has flipped a switch in...

Heat Pumps Can Handle More Filter Pressure Drop?

It's true: heat pump air handlers can normally afford more filter pressure drop than furnaces with the same fan capacity. As filters continue to increase in efficiency, one parallel fact is that usually the pressure drop over the filter also increases as well....

Harvesting Summer Leads – Now Is The Time To Reap

That quiet time is just around the corner. Those days when the heat subsides, but it's not cold yet. The panic shifts from "How am I going to get all this work done?" to "We gotta sell something!" This is a great time to get caught up on the air diagnostic leads that...

Friday Morning Training

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...

Fresh Air for Ventilation and Building Pressurization

Adding fresh air to a heating or cooling system accomplishes two primary indoor air quality goals: It helps control building pressures and improves indoor air quality by diluting polluted or stale indoor air. Outside air enters the system through a roof or sidewall...

Introducing the Testo 435

For over a decade NCI has promoted the TSI VelociCalc 8386 as the best air balancing multimeter on the market, and it's still a great test instrument. It has served us well and was the instrument of choice, but is no longer manufactured. We are committed to bringing...

Include the Ducts in Your Service Agreements

Adding the ducts to your service agreements is one of the best steps you can take to move your company forward in implementing air diagnostics. It's a small thing that can bring great and immediate results. Spring is the perfect time to implement this new service....

Improving Duct Renovation Quality and Profits

NCI contractors have been testing and renovating duct systems for nearly a dozen years now. Every few years, we review the procedures and forms we provide to support your duct renovation work so they can be upgraded to keep up with the evolution of Performance Based...