If you’re installing a new commercial HVAC system, it’s essential to invest in HVAC Test and Balance to make sure your new system runs at peak performance. But what exactly is air balance? What will this testing and balancing process do for your system and your building? Here’s what to know about why you should invest in HVAC Test and Balance for your property.
What Is Air Balance?
Air balance is how much air a heater or air conditioner brings in versus how much air it expels. If the heating and air conditioning system expels more air than it consumes, it has a negative air balance. This commonly occurs in old buildings and in buildings that have been repurposed for new industries or extended through new additions. If the system brings in more than it expels, it has a positive air balance. But if the system brings in and expels the same amount of air, it has a neutral air balance. You want your system to have a neutral air balance.
Potential Air Balance Problems
When the air in your HVAC system is improperly balanced, problems can arise. For instance, if your system has a negative air balance, as described above, it is taking in untreated air and distributing it throughout your building. This creates condensation, and that condensation will invite contaminants into the system. These contaminants could increase the risk of health and safety problems among your colleagues and employees. Improperly balanced air can also cause drafts and cold spots throughout your building, and those will decrease your workplace’s comfort level.
What Does the Test-and-Balance Process Look Like?
When you have new installations tested and balanced by a third-party contractor. Contractors perform tests on our HVAC equipment to check its air flows (or water flows, for chilled water systems). Then the contractor documents all of their findings and compares them against the system’s design plans. They also make any necessary adjustments to make sure the system runs properly and has appropriate air distribution.
It is important to understand that although we do not perform the test-and-balance procedures ourselves, we hire and pay the contractor to make the process simpler and easier for you. We do this because we know you want to focus on running your business, so we provide a test-and-balance solution that’s painless for you.
Key Reasons to Invest in HVAC Test and Balance
When you invest in HVAC Test and Balance, you’re taking a smart step to protect your building’s comfort and efficiency. This process ensures your heating and cooling systems work exactly as designed — balancing airflow, controlling energy waste, and reducing unnecessary strain on equipment. By choosing to invest in HVAC Test and Balance, you help prevent costly repairs down the line and create a healthier, more comfortable environment for everyone inside.
Benefits of Test and Balance
Performing test-and-balance procedures on your heating and cooling systems provides many benefits for your business and your commercial building. These benefits include:
- Prolonged equipment life
- Increased energy efficiency
- Optimized system performance
- Improved air quality
- Increased workplace comfort
These benefits contribute to a healthy, harmonious work environment, making it essential for building owners and facility managers to consider investing in HVAC testing and balancing.
By investing in HVAC testing and balancing, you not only improve occupant comfort but also enhance system efficiency, extend equipment life, and reduce energy costs. This proactive approach helps prevent costly repairs and ensures your HVAC system consistently performs to its design specifications, ultimately protecting your investment and supporting a sustainable, productive workplace. To learn more about the importance of HVAC system maintenance, visit our Services page or check out industry standards at the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB).