Ultimate HVAC Install and Testing: High Performance Heat Pump and Ductless Mini-Split

Boy, were we lucky to have these two people help us get our heating and cooling engines running: Kaleb Saleeby from Kalos Services (https://www.kalosflorida.com/) and the HVAC School Podcast, and Brent Ridley from H&M Services in Atlanta (https://handmservicesinc.com/) and the Tool Pros Podcast. These Applied Scientists in HVAC take our Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps (one ductless mini-split, one ducted air handler) from unboxing to perfect performance, using the latest tools and techniques. And thanks to everyone else who helped us with guidance along the way!

Kaleb on the HVAC School Podcast: https://www.hvacrschool.com/author/ksaleeby/

Brent on the Tool Pros Podcast: https://toolpros.libsyn.com/

Mitsubishi HVAC Systems: https://www.mitsubishicomfort.com/

Testo Tools: https://www.trutechtools.com/testo

Mueller-Streamline Super-Insulated Duragard Linesets: https://muellerstreamline.com/products/line-sets/

Hercules Equipment Pads: https://herculesequipmentpads.com/

Custom Grilles and Registers: https://stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/

How to Hotrod a Radon Mitigation System

We've been looking forward to showing off this system for a long time- the pipes for it were installed during foundation work at the start of construction, and now 2 years later it's finished, with the Fantech Rn4 EC fan (infinitely variable), multiple drainage systems, and a roof cap. Get the details on all the tweaks we had to use to make sure this system runs perfectly, which it's doing right now.

Radon fan at: https://shop.fantech.net/en-US/radon--mitigation--fans/c46856

Wave Plus radon monitor at: https://www.trutechtools.com/AirThings-Wave-Plus-Indoor-Air-Quality-Radon

Pango Wrap at: https://www.stegoindustries.com/products/pango-wrap

WRB Sheathing vs. House Wrap: Landus Bennett’s Building Science Field Lab

Hear from the inventors of two WRB sheathing systems about why taped WRB panels are taking over for housewraps, and how to abuse your building materials to see how tough they are. Shot at the Watson Springs research lab with building scientists Landus Bennett. More at: http://WatsonSprings.com

Thanks to our Patreon supporters for helping us continue exploring the science of homes! Become a member at: http://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

DIY Test Tools with Landus Bennett (Sneak Peek)

Landus Bennett at Watson Springs is one of my heroes. Here's why. See more of Landus's work at: http://watsonsprings.com/

Comparetto DIY Air Cleaner Filtration Rig

My friend Neil Comparetto came up with a very effective, very inexpensive way to clean air for less than $100. It's not fancy, but it works as well or better than many high-end air purifiers and filtration products 'they' are trying to sell you. The important thing is that it's a fan and a filter, which is all you should ask for in an air purifying device- nothing that 'destroys', 'eliminates', or 'sanitizes' using 'electronics', 'UV', or 'plasma'. Neil Comparetto's a great HVAC expert if you happen to be in Virginia: https://www.facebook.com/comparettocomfortsolutions/

Subscribe to Healthy Indoors Magazine: http://HealthyIndoors.com

Take my Crash Course in the Science of Homes: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv

4 Year Old Tests Home Air Leakage

My daughter can find out whether your house will perform well or not- but I got to be her first client. She runs our Retrotec 5000 up to 50Pa and shows off how awesomely airtight our family's forever home will be for the next 100 years.

Get the book on testing homes: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/homeperformancediagnosticsbook

See more about the inner airtightness system: https://foursevenfive.com

More about blower door systems: https://retrotec.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

Deep Dive into Interior Airsealing & Insulation

After we airsealed and insulated our family home from the exterior, we kept going with the details shown in this 30 min video, using airsealing systems from 475 High Performance Building Supply including Intello Plus membrane and Vana tape, with Rockwool cavity insulation (aka Roxul).

Please support our work and become a member at: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

See all about this house at: https://HomeDiagnosis.tv/atlanta-homestead

Behind the Scenes of 'Home Diagnosis' Season 2

We took our sponsors and supporters behind the cameras in June 2020 when we shot episodes 8-9 of Season Two, and they loved it so much we're sharing it with you too. Please consider supporting this FIRST-EVER TV show about the Science of Homes at: https://Patreon.com/HomeDiagnosisTV

Testing the Air Handler Cabinet Leakage

Mastermind student Treondras and I isolated the air leakage built into my Mitsubishi heat pump’s air handler cabinet using a Retrotec Duc Tester 300 and DM-32 gauge. Turns out I made the right decision with Mitsubishi! Their 5 cfm at 25 Pa beats Neil Comparetto’s 6 cfm record. Good job guys.

Good, Cheap, and Quick Air Cleaning Trick

Here’s a quick tip to keep your indoor air healthy- filter out all the particles you can with a simple contraption made from a $30 box fan and a $20 MERV 8 or MERV 13 20” x 20” filter.

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.