NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Duct Access Solutions

Many performance-based contractors have learned a few tricks that help enable effective duct system renovations when access to the existing duct system is limited or challenging. Let’s take a look at a few of these solutions to improve duct performance when ducts are...

Do You Get Paid What You’re Worth?

Vendor Spotlight, Rodney Koop, founder of The New Flat Rate.

Diagnostic Tests That Teach and Sell

Since the mid 1980's most contractors have been selling air conditioning and heating using methods like slick calculations that promised return on investment and energy savings. Times have changed and so have our customers. Today's buyers are better equipped to make...

Design Vs. Redesign

We've looked, but can't find it. There are mountains of information about how to design a new HVAC system, but nothing much that addresses how to redesign one. It would take hundreds of pages to completely detail the process, but let’s take a stab at the basic ideas....

Declare Independence from the Weather

Declare Independence from the Weather by David Holt Outdoor temperatures have been exceeding 100° F all across North America this summer. HVAC contractors in these "hot spots" have been racking up some serious overtime trying to handle all the emergency no-cooling...

David Richardson, Richardson Heating and Air, Frankfort, KY

David Richardson cut his teeth in the industry in the low bid game of residential new construction air conditioning and heating. He works in a small family business and was thinking about getting out of it. He knew there was more to the HVAC industry, but didn't know...

CSER Enters Its Second Year

CSER Enters Its Second Year by Rob "Doc" Falke Since the introduction of CSER™ (NCI's Cooling System Efficiency Rating), last year, the number of contractors that measure their system's total BTU delivery has skyrocketed. Many have enjoyed the benefits of measuring...

Converting High Static Readings to Diagnostic Sales

Include the ducts in your service agreements by adding static pressure testing. This test adds a new dimension to service by including the entire system, not just the equipment. It provides better service to your customers, more opportunity to increase system...

Converting Duct Area to Square Feet

What's a CIM? Hint: CFM = Area x Velocity. CIM is Cubic Inches per Minute. Typically, it's a huge number that you get when traversing a duct and calculating CFM, but you forget to divide the area of the duct by 144 to convert square inches to square feet. To save you...