ABSTRACT
We test and balance heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to provide an acceptable level of occupancy comfort and process function while maintaining healthy indoor air quality and holding energy requirements to a minimum. Most HVAC systems are balanced for volume of fluid flow, cubic feet per minute for air systems, and gallons per minute for water systems within specified parameters. When there is a temperature difference between two substances, heat transfer or heat flow will occur. Heat flows from a warmer substance to a cooler substance. Heat transfer is by radiation, conduction, and convection. The air volume for an HVAC system is calculated from the sensible heat in the conditioned space. For the typical heating and cooling unit, the calculation is for cooling because more air is needed to cool a space than to heat it.
