Duct testing is the process of checking your heating and air conditioning vents and duct work for leaks. Leaks cause several problems - first it means losing the hot air or cold air from your HVAC unit - translating to lost dollars and lost energy. Second, it can bring in contaminants and dust from your attic or crawl space, leading to bad air, particulates, or nuisance smells.

A basic duct leakage testing system includes three components: a calibrated fan, a register sealing system, and a device to measure fan flow and building pressure. Supply registers or return air grills are sealed using adhesive tapes, cardboard, or non-adhesive reusable seals.

Air leakage in forced air duct systems is now recognized as a major source of energy waste in both commercial and industrial buildings. Leaky ducts can significantly increase utility costs, dramatically reduce equipment capacity and performance, and result in potentially dangerous indoor air quality problems.

Benefits of Duct Leakage Testing

• Improved Building Performance
• Lower Operating Costs
• Enhanced Building & Occupant Comfort
• Improved Indoor Air Quality

Our Approach

At Sunstone Services Group (SSG) we specialize in duct leakage testing. Our certified technicians use advanced methods to identify leaks promptly and assist contractors in remedying them efficiently. Here's how our process works:

Pressurization

We pressurize the ductwork to a predetermined static pressure based on specifications provided by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA).

Measurement

Using an orifice plate, we calculate the amount of Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) passing through the ductwork. This measurement helps determine the level of duct leakage that might exist.

Pass or Fail

Based on the ductwork's ability to hold the specified static pressure, we assign a passing or failing mark. Our goal is to ensure your ducts meet design requirements.

A blower door test is used on buildings in order to quantify the amount of air leakage through its enclosure. Air barrier testing provides an understanding of energy saving and building integrity opportunities while also meeting current more stringent building codes and standards. Through commercial blower door testing a detailed inspection report can convey whether a building will pass or fail owner requirements.

A blower door is used to pressurize and depressurize the building to predetermined pressure settings per the standard being tested to. Testing is completed to various test standards such as common multipoint testing ASTM E779 as well as single or two point testing ASTM E1827.

An assessment can be made of suitable air leakage improvements that could be completed to improve the building enclosure system. Flaws in the system can be corrected prior to closing assemblies up or covering with finishes will often have the largest impacts. Staging of testing and final work should be strategic to ensure the ability to correct areas of the building in need of enclosure repair.

While the building is pressurized and depressurized, infrared imaging can be incorporated to meticulously gather and pinpoint exact locations of building enclosure flaws. Common failings are roof to wall junctures, parapet systems, vestibules, and service penetrations.

HVAC Testing & Balancing is a procedure to measure and adjust the air distribution of air within a duct system and water within a piping system. Balancing the air in the HVAC system involves displacing pressures in the air flow so that one area will neither be too high nor too low, while hydronic balancing affects the flow of water in a piping system to ensure desired temperatures in a space. The three major steps used to achieve the proper operation of the HVAC and hydronic systems are testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB).

HVAC systems require balancing from installation and should be maintained regularly to reach their maximum life span. With a properly balanced system, concerns about environmental performance and cost efficiency in HVAC equipment can be relieved. It will also provide a more comfortable environment for the inhabitants of the building.

Air balancing is crucial to system performance. This process utilizes the testing data to inform adjustments that improve the consistency of conditioned air. This can involve adjusting airflow, temperature or other system settings to enable comfortable conditions in all occupied spaces.

The test and balance process is a straightforward way to identify any variances and tune system settings for optimal performance. It also helps improve indoor air quality by calibrating temperature, airflow, and humidity — all factors to healthy indoor air. By measuring airflow and other data, an HVAC professional can diagnose issues before they cause system damage or device failure.

An air balance report will be generated and these reports include recorded data collected during an air balance test. An air balance report is a document that shows recorded airflow testing numbers collected from an air balance procedure. An air balance report includes airflow readings, amperage readings, models, serial numbers, pulley data, velocity numbers, and additional specifications that help show how a system is performing.

These air balance reports can only be compiled and provided by a certified D-62 air balance contractor.

Hydronic Systems use water to distribute energy throughout the building with a piping system. Hydronic Balancing involves adjusting balance valves throughout the system to ensure the correct flow of water in the HVAC system. By adjusting the balance valves, a flow rate is set (according to a design specification) and consistent heating and cooling is established throughout the system. Balancing also enables the detection and correction of problems (i.e, air in system, deficient balancing valves, etc.). If the system is not balanced properly water will flow to the path of least resistance causing temperature variation and increased operating costs.

Stages of Testing

1. Pretest - Visually inspect all piping for proper assembly and installation first. Make sure all bracing is in place and there is no piping that will rub together. Vibration will cause metal-on-metal rubs to eventually leak.

1. Isolate Components - Isolate all components that are not suitable for a high-pressure test. Some compressors, relief valves, and pressure transducers might not handle the high pressure that will be applied to the piping system. Open ball valves and de-energize solenoid valves to prevent excessive pressure against these devices.

1. Pressure Test - Charge the piping with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, up to 300 psig minimum. A tracer gas for leak detection can be included with the nitrogen, but the types of refrigerant allowed is restricted. Any refrigerant containing chlorine should not be used as a tracer gas. Leaks can be detected by a soap solution, electronic detectors, or other approved means.

If a leak is found, it should be isolated, repaired, and the piping retested. After all joints are checked for leaks, the piping should remain under 300 psig for 24 hours. After the 24-hour test, the piping should be depressurized and evacuated down to a 1,000-micron vacuum for 30 minutes. This process removes all gases and moisture in the refrigerant piping. Vacuum pumps used in the procedure should be rated at 8 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or larger. Several connections should be made to the vacuum pumps for complete evacuation of the piping.

1. Final Check - Once the system is operational, test all joints and connections again with an electronic leak detector. Recheck areas with close tolerances to ensure all metal rubbing points have been eliminated.

Following these procedures will reduce the percentage of leaks associated with copper piping systems in supermarkets. The same tests should be applied to other refrigerant piping, such as in industrial settings, where welded or threaded steel piping is utilized. Smaller refrigeration and air conditioning installations, such as those found in convenience stores, residential apartments, or midrise buildings, should employ similar procedures as well.

HVACR refrigerant testing is a process used to evaluate the condition and purity of refrigerants used in HVACR systems. The purpose of refrigerant testing is to ensure that the refrigerant is free of contaminants, such as moisture, acid, and particulate matter, which can damage HVACR equipment and compromise the system's performance.

Regular refrigerant testing is essential to ensure the safe and efficient operation of HVACR systems. Contaminated or degraded refrigerants can lead to system failures, reduced performance, and increased energy consumption. Testing can also help identify leaks in the system, which can be a source of refrigerant loss and environmental damage.

Pressure testing is a crucial procedure that is carried out after the installation or repair of piping in HVAC systems. It is a process in which a specific amount of pressure is applied to the piping system to detect any leaks in the system. The amount of pressure applied to the system is usually based on the manufacturer's recommendations. The purpose of pressure testing is to ensure that the system is leak-free before it is put into operation.

Pressure testing services are designed to ensure that your HVAC system is leak-free, energy-efficient, and safe. By detecting any leaks in your piping system, this will help avoid potential safety hazards and reduce energy bills.

Prevention is better than cure. That's why it is recommended HVAC system pressure tested regularly to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely. Regular pressure testing can help avoid costly repairs and replacements and ensure that HVAC system lasts longer.

Sound and vibration testing, more formally known as noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) testing, is a maintenance method used by engineers and technicians. It tests and analyzes the acoustics of a system, piece of equipment, or machinery to ensure it's working properly.

By searching for unwanted noise, sounds, and vibrations, technicians can not only detect problem areas but can determine the root cause of those issues. This helps find worthy solutions to problems before they get out of hand and result in disruptions. NVH testing generally uses a combination of microphones, force gauges, load cells, electric currents, accelerometers, statistics, and more to determine the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the vibrations in problematic systems compared to ones that run properly.

Keep your commercial HVAC systems humming happily with regular and routine HVAC vibration analysis.

By measuring and analyzing the vibrations produced by the moving parts in your HVAC systems, owners can determine the health and wellbeing of the equipment.

Vibrations can be caused by misaligned couplings, bearings or gears, unbalanced rotating components, loose parts, deteriorating elements, rubbing, or electrical problems. By detecting these issues early with vibration analysis services, HVAC equipment can be repaired or replaced before it fails.

Preventative maintenance including regular and routine vibration analysis - can detect these issues early, improving reliability, reducing maintenance costs, extending the service life of your HVAC systems, decreasing downtime, and preventing catastrophic failure.