NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

NCI Photo of the Month – March 2013

Return Air Nightmare! Photo submitted by: Tom Turner from Austin Energy Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – June 2013

Alan Fisher of Fisher Air in Brea, California submitted this photo of the month of a Five Filter “Bank” taken by his son Scott on a recent service call. He opened the filter access door on this upflow unit and discovered their customer had been hoarding filters. In an...

NCI Photo of the Month – July 2010

July's Photo: Does Thermostat Location Matter? The 2nd floor of this particular home was always uncomfortable in both heating & cooling. After a little investigation, it was discovered that the thermostat wires were run in the same stud space as the supply air...

NCI Photo of the Month – January 2013

Well, at least the filters will be clean... Photo submitted by: Mike Charles Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – January 2010

This fine example of advanced sheet metal craftsmanship was found on a rooftop on Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an example of how not to use eight sheet metal elbows to transition from a packaged unit to an existing duct system where the supply and return connections to...

NCI Photo of the Month – February 2013

This month’s photo of the month winner is Andrew John of John’s Refrigeration in Arizona. Notice this 10” return duct is pulling air directly from an attic. Also understand that attic temperatures in Arizona regularly exceed 160F. That’s 300 CFM x 80 degree Delta T x...

NCI Photo of the Month – February 2011

What do you mean, how will we service the furnace? Photo submitted by: John Ellis - So Cal Air Dynamics Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the March Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – December 2010

I lost the instructions, but I think this is how it goes? Photo submitted by Jason Markle - Gama Central, Inc. Submit your worst HVAC system photos to robf@ncihvac.com for the December Photo of the Month contest.

NCI Photo of the Month – August 2010

Have you ever wondered who could be dense enough to actually need the "Do not store flammable material" notice posted around gas appliances? Well, we now have hard evidence that such people exist. To top it off, this propane cylinder is located in an enclosed closet...

NCI Photo of the Month – April 2010

JN Brown of the Jim Brown Company found this wicked 7.5 ton installation in a church. It may have been the good intention of the budget committee to save some short term contributions in this installation, but judging by the size of the single 12" supply and the 12"...