NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Never Downplay the Importance of a Visual Inspection

While performing complete combustion diagnostics is critical, visual inspection is often what solves problems before a start-up, and allows us to fix them. Because environmental conditions constantly change, even the most experienced technician can be fooled using...

NCI Summit 2007 PerforMaxx Awards

National Comfort Institute held its first PerforMaxx™ Awards ceremony during PerforMaxx Summit in Charleston S.C. in February. The awards were created to recognize outstanding achievement in areas relating to Performance-Based Contracting and service to the heating...

NCI Project Workbook: Thanks for the Feedback!

In December we released the NCI Project Workbook -- an eight page document designed to organize the forms and procedures used during an air diagnostic sales call. We received many calls and emails expressing thanks, kudos, and best of all, ideas for improvement. The...

NCI Practical Standards vs. HVAC Industry Standards

You may often hear NCI refer to what we call Practical Standards. Sooner or later the question is asked; "What's the difference between HVAC industry standards and NCI Practical Standards?" The purpose of this article is to explain the difference to help you better...

NCI Photo of the Month – Sept 2010

Out with the bad air and in with the... bad air again. From the look of the equipment, this has been going on for a while. When David showed this one to Jim Davis, his hair stood on end! Photo submitted by David Richardson, Richardson's Heating & Air. Submit your...

NCI Photo of the Month – Oct 2010

Boy, you miss just ONE day of sheet metal class... This was just one of the three "transitions" we found in this duct system. Photo submitted by Dan Paprek - Climate Makers, Inc. Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the October Photo of the...

NCI Photo of the Month – Nov 2010

OK, the one to the bedroom goes up, around, and over, and the kitchen is down, across, and... no wait. More tape! Photo submitted by Bryan Weesner, Holt Plumbing & Heating Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the December Photo of the Month...

NCI Photo of the Month – May 2013

No lock can prevent the pursuit of indoor comfort Photo submitted by: Al Tibbs of Closer Look Inspections Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – May 2011

For some reason I get these headaches every time I take a sauna... Photo submitted by: Corey Hickman - Comfort Matters Heating & Air Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the June Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – May 2010

May's Photo: 80,000 Btu furnace with 9" ducts. This photo had to be a winner as soon as we saw it. The photo typifies the type of undersized duct systems that we all are secretly seeking. It appears to be an 80,000 BTU furnace with ONLY one 9" diameter round metal...