If you are concerned about the efficiency or comfort provided by your heating and air conditioning system, or if you are about to make a major decision to purchase one, then you should learn what air balancing and system performance can do for your home.

In its simplest form, air balancing is the process of testing and adjusting your air conditioning system to deliver the right amount of air to each room in your home.  The actual air balancing process includes a number of related tests that determine the performance of your air conditioning and heating system.

Sample of air flow

Air balancing hoods are used to measure the amount of air at each grille. Manometers measure system pressures. Hygrometers measure system temperature and humidity. The
results of all these tests are compiled into a report to determine how well your system is functioning.

What Air Balancing and System Performance Can Do For You

It’s not uncommon to find a system 30% to 50% low on airflow. Air passes through the equipment and carries the heating or cooling inside.The effectiveness of the equipment is entirely dependent on the amount of airflow. When your certified technician measures the airflow, he or she can “see” system performance.

House illustrationWith this information he or she can diagnose, repair, and balance the duct system for maximum performance.The end result is having rooms that are the same temperature, have cleaner air, better humidity control, and real energy savings.

Why This Service Is So Special

Air balancing is an ancient trade dating back to 1732 when a French engineer named Henri Pitot created a method for measuring fluid pressure. Even though air balancing is critical to the performance of your air conditioning and heating system, less than 5,000 people in the world are trained and certified in air balancing today. Make sure your
contractor employs Certified Air Balancing Technicians.

Who Can Do Air Balancing and System Performance Work?

Using A Flow Hood

Using A Flow Hood

Your heating and cooling system is a candidate for improvement. An HVAC professional with the right tools and training can improve the performance of virtually any system. The more accessible your ductwork is, the easier it is to perform balancing and duct renovations.

NCI-Certified Professionals are different than standard HVAC technicians. Most companies are in business to just fix or replace heating and cooling equipment. Your NCI-Certified Professional considers the entire system and is qualified to test, diagnose, and repair your ducts as well as your equipment.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that replacing your furnace or air conditioner is the only way to lower utility bills.Those big boxes that heat and cool your home are reliant upon the distribution system to deliver cold or warm air to each room. If a contractor doesn’t check that distribution system (the ductwork), then they are only addressing part of the puzzle. Compare it to installing a brand-new race car engine into an old beat up sedan.

Using A Probe

Using A Probe to Measure Static Pressure

A heating and cooling professional with diagnostic experience should always check the Static Pressure of your system whenever repairing or planning to replace your heating and/or cooling equipment. A familiar comparison is when you go to your doctor: someone always checks your blood pressure. Like blood pressure, Static Pressure is one of the key vital signs of your comfort system.

This test helps your HVAC contractor identify any significant blockage or leakage. With this initial testing along with an in-depth interview, he or she can recommend the appropriate diagnostic tests followed by recommendations to correct existing issues and optimize your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.

Air balancing means measuring and adjusting the volume of airflow into each room. By doing this, every room in your home will be as comfortable as possible with the equipment you have on hand.

National Comfort Institute