HVAC Airflow Diagnostics: Testing Carved Grilles for CFM, Velocity, Pressure Drop, and K-Factor

Our longtime friend and Patreon supporter Scott Marner (who manages QA for Illinois' Ameren home performance program) joined me to do some off-label, outside-the-box diagnostics on custom decorative HVAC grilles from Stellar Air Vents (https://stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/). Just one more example of some non-engineers getting very sophisticated results from a cardboard box, some tape, and several thousand dollars of Retrotec and Testo HVAC testing equipment (https://www.trutechtools.com/). Scott was our FIRST EVER Patreon supporter- join him and become part of our work on this channel and the 'Home Diagnosis' TV series: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Testing Ducts During Construction

My Mastermind student Rashaun joins me to test my custom return filter box plenum with a Retrotec DU300. I used enough mastic to swim a camel, so we’ll see how tight my ductwork is. Sheet metal fabricated with Malco sheet metal tools.

#TBT: 8 Ways to Test Airflow in Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation

Corbett Lunsford demonstrates 8 methods for airflow testing in single family and multifamily homes heating, cooling, and ventilation, including:
1. Exhaust Flow Pan (Energy Conservatory's Flow Meter)
2. Cardboard Box Flow Pan (handmade by Corbett)
3. Pressure Matching (FlowFinder from Retrotec)
4. Pressure Matching (Duc Tester from Retrotec)
5. Velocity Pressure (24" Pitot Tube from Dwyer)
6. Small Vane Anemometer (Testo 416)
7. Large Vane Anemometer (Testo 417)
8. Plastic Bag (30 gallon lightweight garbage bag)

For more on these diagnostics:
http://HomePerformanceBook.com

Field Check a Flow Hood Using a Duct Leakage Test Fan

Learn to quickly and easily check the accuracy of a flow hood (in this case, a TSI AccuBalance) using a duct tightness testing fan (in this case, a Retrotec DucTester 200). If your diagnostic equipment isn't giving you accurate readings, no amount of experience will save you!