NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Measure Fresh Air BTU Gain

Have you ever found an economizer with the louvers screwed closed or the linkage disconnected? There's a reason for that. There are days in the heat of the summer when the heat load of the fresh air makes it impossible for the system to keep up. The logical and...

Measure and Understand Air Flow

Accurately measuring fan airflow is a critical, yet illusive test that is key to diagnosing the performance of any HVAC system. Our industry poses many methods of finding this essential number, some are great, some are good, and some test methods are purely...

Lonnie & Eric Robnett, Nevada Heating, A/C & Plumbing – Reno, NV

Eric and Lonnie Robnett of Nevada Heating are quite a father-son team. Lonnie, the dad, is a true marketing guru and Eric the son, is a full-time air and combustion diagnostic testing and selling master. They have found success in their business together by separating...

Link Mechanical, New Britain, CT

Chris Link, President of Link Mechanical located in New Britain, Connecticut starts the New Year as National Comfort Institute's Contractor of the Month. Among other industry leading traits, Chris was selected for his ability to adapt his company to these changing...

Learning to Test is a Process

Last month we had a contractor attend his first NCI Air Balance training. To protect his honor, we'll call him Brad. Brad was particularly attentive during the training, his questions were sharp and well thought out, and he scored super high on the certification exam....

Learning How to Test

The last couple of days I've been on a number of phone conversations with a great HVAC contractor who is just learning to balance kitchen exhaust systems. He's new to air balancing, but committed and eager to be good at it. I've been impressed with the learning...

Keil Heating & Air Conditioning

According to most statistics, the majority of businesses fail during their first five years in existence. So a business that is thriving after 104 years is a rare phenomenon indeed. And under the guidance of owners Milton Baum and Barbara Keil, Keil Heating & Air...

John’s Refrigeration December 2015 Member Spotlight

John's Refrigeration December 2015 Member Spotlight Mike Weil, NCI VP Communications & Publications Food for thought: Back in 1970, the U.S. was still embroiled in the Vietnam War, four college students lost their lives on the campus of Kent State University in...

John Cole, Cole’s Air Diagnostics – Ft. Meyers, FL

John Cole, Managing Partner of Cole's Air Diagnostics is September's NCI contractor of the month. The company serves the lower western coast of Florida from Port Charlotte to Naples. When I asked John what part of the industry he specializes in, I heard a grin in his...

Is HVAC System Duct Leakage Testing Enough?

Is HVAC System Duct Leakage Testing Enough? by David Richardson Duct leakage is an issue that has challenged the HVAC industry for as long as duct systems have been installed. The concept of resolving duct leakage issues isn’t a new one. If you have seen some of the...