NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Member Spotlight Home Energy Experts

Member Spotlight Home Energy Experts by Steve Vannoy, NCI Technical Curriculum Manager “When can I go to work with you dad” is the question Eric Robnett remembers asking from the time he was just a little boy. Eric’s dad Lonnie founded Lonnie’s Nevada Gas Service in...

Member of the Month – JBS Heating and Air

When Joaquin Contreras decided to make a career change nearly 28 years ago, he wasn’t quite sure where it would all lead. But an opening in the purchasing department of a large new construction HVAC company seemed like the right opportunity at the right time. He...

John’s Refrigeration, Mesa, Arizona

John's Refrigeration has served the cooling needs of the community of Mesa, Arizona since 1970. Andrew John, the company's vice president, is the Chief Airhead of the group. Andrew owns the company with his brother Steven and his Dad, Chris who is in the process of...

IAQ/Mold: No Silver Bullet – Just Get Bullet-Proof

It's amazing how many contractors are still looking for a "Silver Bullet" solution to mold. Ideally we would have some magical pixie dust you sprinkle on a home or building to make it mold-proof, or better yet, to cure all existing mold issues forever. In this attempt...

How to Select a Spill Switch

Spill switches provide additional safety whenever barometric dampers have been installed on equipment by sensing heat that may spill from the flue. If the flue becomes blocked, or if the negative pressure in the room causes the chimney to back draft and begin...

How to Determine Combustion Air Performance

Combustion air testing is performed using a draft gauge and a CO analyzer. When the draft in the flue of an appliance is low or below -.01" to -.02" W.C. and when CO reading are rising, combustion air problems are present. Carbon Monoxide diagnostics consistently...

How to Adjust Barometric Dampers on Gas-Fired Appliances

The procedure and purpose for adjusting barometric dampers for gas appliances is completely different from the reason you adjust barometric dampers on oil equipment. Let's take a look at each method to get a clearer picture of what we're trying to accomplish. OIL...

Interior Doors and Intermittent HVAC Comfort Problems

Interior Doors and Intermittent HVAC Comfort Problems by David Richardson This cooling season, HVAC professionals across the country will be called upon to solve intermittent comfort problems they can't recreate. These frustrating and random problems often involve...

Installing Dampers in Finished Ceilings

There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to balance a system when it was built without balancing dampers, and the plenum and take-offs are behind a finished ceiling. Here's a little trick we use to install dampers on critical ducts in finished basement...

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....