NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Improving Duct Renovation Quality and Profits

NCI contractors have been testing and renovating duct systems for nearly a dozen years now. Every few years, we review the procedures and forms we provide to support your duct renovation work so they can be upgraded to keep up with the evolution of Performance Based...

If You Don’t Measure, You’re Just Guessing

If You Don't Measure, You're Just Guessing by David Holt, NCI Director Sales & Service Leadership I’m a huge college football fan. When the games begin in late August, I’m either glued to the TV or I’m visiting football stadiums around the country enjoying some...

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...

Adjusting a Ball Valve on Intake of 90% Appliances

Adjusting a Ball Valve on Intake of 90% Appliances by Jim Davis, NCI Senior Instructor In our combustion diagnostics class, we discuss short flues on condensing equipment as causing possible venting problems. We recommend adding a plastic ball valve to the intake of...

Home Performance Belongs to the HVAC Industry

There’s more hype and misleading information than ever out there with regards to what constitutes “home performance.” Today, you are faced with several important issues, including what role you should play with regard to home performance. Outside of some basic...

Gas Pressure Adjustments Done Right

Whether starting up new equipment or servicing existing equipment you should never assume that the recommended gas pressure of an appliance will assure safe or adequate operation. Performance cannot be determined until combustion testing has been completed. There are...

Flex Duct Suspension Done Right

There's a time-tested method for suspending flexible ducting that's been gaining popularity around the country recently. It's quick, cheap and extremely effective. To multiply the effectiveness of your flex duct suspension, simply take a moment to slip a 12"x 12"...

FisherAir Heating & Air Conditioning Services, Brea, CA

Alan Fisher, President of FisherAir Heating and Air Conditioning Services in Brea, California, was one of the first technicians certified by the National Balancing Institute (now National Comfort Institute) in the early 1990’s. His company has kept the flame burning ever since.

Find CFM By Measuring Coil Drop on New Installs

There's a fast test for a new installation that is highly accurate and takes just a few minutes. You can get system CFM by measuring pressure drop over a new coil. You simply plot the pressure drop on the coil engineering data sheet and read the airflow passing...