HVAC Reality Check: Are Duct Systems Dumb or Essential?

Just wanted to spell out why central duct systems are a central part of ANY home design. Yes, ductless mini split heat pumps are awesome. Yes, radiant flooring is comfy. Yes, lots of people use decentralized HVAC strategies around the world and are happy with them (or at least they don't know what they're missing). Duct systems can be used to filter and deliver healthy air to every room in the house- humidified/dehumidified, diluted with outdoor air, and pressure relieved for kitchen exhaust. Learn more about designing ventilation and HVAC in general at: https://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com Watch the first TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Manual J or Not? How to Tell If Your HVAC Design is Bogus

If you ask for the HVAC design calculations for your project, you might get handed literally anything from scratches on a napkin to a 50 page jargon-filled binder. Here’s an example of a calculation that might look legit, but is actually very misleading. Learn more about HVAC Design: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/training Get 1-on-1 help in consultation with Corbett: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/video-consulting

Manual J Default Air Leakage Inputs vs. Blower Door Test ACH50

I'm pretty sure the awesome folks who created Manual J (like Hank Rutkowski- hear my interview with him here), and the softwares we use to run the calculations (Elite RHVAC, used here, and Wrightsoft) do not have a lot of personal experience with the test dynamics of home enclosures, and may never have actually used a blower door before. Here's a demonstration of why it's so important to respect the blower door if you're doing HVAC design for residential construction or home improvement.

Learn to perform and analyze Blower Door and Duct Tightness Tests in my 1 Day Training at: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/det-verifier

There are two blower door brands, both available at: https://www.trutechtools.com/system-blower-doors-and-duct-testers.html

See a tour of a full Manual J report below:

How the Best HVAC Equipment Gets Made: Fast Tour of Mitsubishi Cooling & Heating Headquarters

I've always wanted to go, and am finally learning some new tips and tricks that Mitsubishi puts into their high performance equipment to be a little more ballsy than other manufacturers. See a slice of the innovations in ducted heat pumps, ductless minisplits, testing at extreme environmental conditions, an 11-acre warehouse, a tech support division staffed by HVAC contractors with working demo units and controls, and more. Thanks also to Ryan Burrell who led the technical discussion (and who helped me select the exact Mitsubishi heat pumps that went into our new home).

Thanks to Matt Hoots (https://youtube.com/c/SawhorseDesignBuild) for putting together this trip to Mitsubishi's HQ in Atlanta GA.

Learn more about any of this stuff at: https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/

Roasting the Home HVAC Industry on National TV: Technicians vs. Mechanics

HVAC technicians will someday be the masters of the science of homes, but right now it's not looking too hot. Hear from Jim Bergmann, one of the world's HVAC legends, why most HVAC installs are wrong from the minute the load calculations are started using Manual J, Manual S, and Manual D without using a blower door first.

Watch the show at https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Support our work changing the building industry: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Start testing your HVAC installs with: https://measurequick.com/

Get your blower door at: https://www.trutechtools.com/system-blower-doors-and-duct-testers.html

Career as an HVAC Expert- What Is It?

SMART KIDS, AND PEOPLE WHO KNOW SMART KIDS: we need your help! Meet Kaleb Saleeby, who explains that the day to day work of HVAC is a superhero scientist story. Learn A TON MORE FOR FREE at: http://HVACRschool.com

Check out the first-ever TV series about the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

How to Plan and Prep Ductwork

For our family's performance-tuned home, I’m giving you a deep-dive into the beginning stage of the heating/cooling and ventilation ducting throughout the house. See assembly, fastening, sealing with mastic (the good stuff, not the cheap stuff) for duct boot stacks and outdoor vent hood terminations.

For more on this house, check out: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

To support our educational videos, become a member at: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Static Pressure Testing Demonstration

Watch building forensics expert Corbett Lunsford demonstrate Total External Static Pressure testing and pressure drop testing for a residential furnace and air conditioner. Learn to diagnose pressure problems in supply and return ductwork, filters, evaporator coils, and duct sections in just a few minutes with a minimum of testing tools!

PODCAST #64 THE CONTRACTOR AT THE TOP: Rick Chitwood on Being Unbeatable

Today Corbett talks with Rick Chitwood of Chitwood Energy Management, author of the book Measured Home Performance, and the wizard behind the curtain for all home improvement contractors whether they know it or not. Rick discusses how he launched into performance-based home improvements from a conventional HVAC background, and why he had zero warranty claims despite promising concrete and aggressive results. This special episode is from the 2014 Fall Fast Track- learn more at HomePerformance.training

To download this episode or hear more, subscribe in iTunes or visit BuildingPerformancePodcast.com