Mechanical Systems

From Design to Verification

December 11th, 2013

Verification (to prove something is true or correct)

• Definition of a Hole: • a : an opening through something : perforation

<have a hole in my duct> • b : an area where something is missing : gap:

as (1) : a serious discrepancy : flaw, weakness <some holes in your logic regarding your ventilation strategy>

Find Hole – Fix Hole (or verify no Hole)

You don’t have to be good at math… Common Sense is your best friend

Change is hard I know, I know…

Buildings are just like our bodies… Intentional and Purposeful holes

Blower Door

• Measure airtightness level of building/unit envelopes • Fancy tape measure

for air leakage • Test (when?)

• Typically, at Final • Before drywall is hung

in certain scenarios • Code Compliance

aka Hole Hunter

EarthCraft Virginia

Duct Blaster

• Diagnose and demonstrate leakage problems

• Estimate efficiency loss • Test (when?)

• Before drywall is hung • Final inspection

• Code Compliance

Test airtightness of forced air duct systems

EarthCraft Virginia

Duct Tape! (Don’t use on ducts)

Mastic!

EarthCraft Virginia

Flow Capture Device

• Used to accurately measure air flow in all residential applications

• Positive • Duct Supplies

• Negative • Duct Return • Bath Exhaust • Ventilation

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Unit / Bedroom Pressures

Main body of the unit is negatively pressurized

Bedrooms are positively pressurized

Pressures must be in balance

EarthCraft Virginia

Thank You

EarthCraft Virginia

Philip Agee Philip.Agee@EarthCraftVirginia.org Chris Conway Chris@ConwayGreenConstruction.com