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

Air Cleaning System for Healthy High Performance Homes

Our family's forever home has some super sophisticated systems (that sometimes require super wacky tweaks to other things in the house). Here you'll get a full tour of our fully-ducted Fantech SER150 energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and CM 3000 HEPA filter unit.

Learn more about these specific products at: http://Fantech.net

How to Design and Install Kitchen Exhaust and Make Up Air Ventilation (Case Study)

Another installment in a series with Healthy Indoors Magazine (http://HealthyIndoors.com) follows the real-life, gritty planning and installation of the make up air system in a 1950's ranch over a crawlspace. The goal here is to install effective ventilation for the kitchen range with an exhaust hood AND make up air that will hopefully be the path of least resistance. We're using a Broan exhaust hood paired with an Aprilaire KV make up air damper, or an 8144NC (in an experimental application, as explained in the video). This house is not airtight by any means, and some might think make up air is overkill in an older home, but obviously we disagree enough to suffer through this.

Learn more about making your home healthier at: http://HealthyIndoors.com

Become a member and support our work educating people about the Science of Homes: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Get training or consulting with Corbett directly: http://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com

Performance Duct Design & Installation: Advanced DIY

In our LONGEST VIDEO YET, get a comprehensive tour of the concepts, design, tools, and install tips that go into building a home's breathing apparatus- the central duct system. Here I get into both the conditioning duct system (heat pump/dehumidifier/filtration loop) and the ERV fresh air ventilation duct system.

Thanks to Neil Comparetto (https://www.facebook.com/comparettocomfortsolutions/) John Semmelhack (http://think-little.com) and Bryan Orr (https://hvacrschool.com) and many other HVAC pro friends for their continual advice and expertise.

I got all my Malco tools used here at: https://TruTechTools.com

Check out my awesome ride, the Aerocreeper: http://aerocreeper.com/

Check out all of Stellar Engraving's duct grilles: https://stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/

Learn more about the HVAC design process: https://youtu.be/aCIrbSFWD20

Get consulting or training with Corbett: https://BuildingPerformanceWorkshop.com

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

Ductless vs. Ducted HVAC + Duct Cleaning

Have you ever wondered whether you should replace a home's HVAC system, or have the ducts cleaned? Spend a Healthy Indoors Minute exploring the complexity of invisible dynamics influencing any of these choices. Ductless minisplit heat pump compared with ducted split system heat pump, or furnace and A/C. Cleaning ductwork vs. cleaning house. No stone unturned in these 4 minutes of discussion. More at: http://HealthyIndoors.com

See the show at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

Testing the World's Worst Duct System

I'd love to show you this, but my client has asked that I take this video down while they try to reconcile with the installer. Fingers crossed everybody, and sorry to be a tease.

Static Pressure Testing Demonstration Galore!

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!

This is NOT a Roof Leak: What Condensation Can Do

Visit an attic (vicariously) with building performance expert Corbett Lunsford to find a tiny problem that may force us to replace the floor and ceiling of this building- and it might happen to you someday too! Stop guessing- Proof Is Possible. Get up in that attic and have a look!