NCI Article Library

High-Performance HVAC Resources

Working on Implementation: The Struggles and Successes of Performance-based Service

Working on Implementation: The Struggles and Successes of Performance-based Service by Mike Weil, NCI VP Communications & Publications In some ways, FisherAir Heating and Air Conditioning, of Brea, CA, is a very typical HVAC service company. In other ways, the...

Measuring Static Pressure on Service Calls is a Sure Thing

We've been advocating service technicians assure total external static pressure on every service call. How are you doing with it? First, a question. How's your annual summertime bet going? You know, your annual bet on the weather. If it's working out you're really...

Measure Static Pressure at the High Limit Switch

Hissssssssss. That's the sound nobody wants to hear when you're drilling static pressure holes near an evaporator coil. One way to avoid this awful noise on systems with gas furnaces is to measure static pressure by removing the high limit switch. In most gas...

Measure and Understand Air Flow

Accurately measuring fan airflow is a critical, yet illusive test that is key to diagnosing the performance of any HVAC system. Our industry poses many methods of finding this essential number, some are great, some are good, and some test methods are purely...

Magnehelic® Fundamentals

The Magnehelic® is the go-to test instrument for many NCI-trained technicians for measuring static pressure. This test instrument has been around the HVAC industry for decades and is still the test instrument of choice for many. In this article, we explore the basics...

Learning to Test is a Process

Last month we had a contractor attend his first NCI Air Balance training. To protect his honor, we'll call him Brad. Brad was particularly attentive during the training, his questions were sharp and well thought out, and he scored super high on the certification exam....

Learning How to Test

The last couple of days I've been on a number of phone conversations with a great HVAC contractor who is just learning to balance kitchen exhaust systems. He's new to air balancing, but committed and eager to be good at it. I've been impressed with the learning...

John’s Refrigeration December 2015 Member Spotlight

John's Refrigeration December 2015 Member Spotlight Mike Weil, NCI VP Communications & Publications Food for thought: Back in 1970, the U.S. was still embroiled in the Vietnam War, four college students lost their lives on the campus of Kent State University in...

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...

James A. Wheat & Sons

Jeff Wheat, this months NCI member of the month is one of the family members owning and managing Wheat & Sons, Inc. a nearly $5 million per year plumbing and heating company located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Jeff manages the technical side of the company with his...