Our Services

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) is the process of measuring and fine-tuning air and water flows to align with design specifications. It utilizes test instruments, sensors, and monitors to verify temperatures, airflow, and other HVAC system characteristics. This crucial step ensures that HVAC systems in buildings and campuses are optimized for occupant comfort, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and manufacturing processes.

TAB work primarily focuses on testing, measurement, and setting performance benchmarks. Examples of these activities include quantifying air and hydronic flow rates, evaluating heat transfer performance, and adjusting ventilation and air exchange rates. These tasks are essential for maintaining optimal system functionality and meeting industry standards.

Servicing: 

• Rooftops

• Economizers/Fresh Air

• Exhaust Fans

• Kitchen Hoods 

• Make up Air units

• Furnaces

• Variable Air Volume (VAV)

• Fan Powered Boxes (FPB)

• Pumps

• Circuit Setters

• Coils

• Chillers

• Water Towers

Comfort Balancing and Air Balancing involve similar processes of reconfiguring environmental systems. However, the key distinction lies in their objectives. While Air Balancing aims to meet the engineer's specifications for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Comfort Balancing prioritizes the comfort and well-being of occupants.

To achieve Comfort Balancing, the first step is inspecting the air handling system to ensure its proper functioning and adequate airflow delivery. Subsequently, communication with occupants helps identify areas that feel uncomfortably hot or cold, as well as those that are comfortable. Adjustments to volume dampers are then made to regulate airflow, thereby adjusting temperatures until an optimal comfort level is attained. Comfort Balancing typically occurs twice a year, at the onset of heating and cooling seasons.

As per OSHA standards, it is mandated to conduct annual testing of fume hoods at a minimum. Moreover, new fume hoods must undergo testing upon installation before being put into use. It is also advisable to reevaluate the hoods whenever equipment changes are made. Since chemical fume hoods play a critical role in maintaining a safe working environment, operators are encouraged to perform a daily visual inspection. This involves checking for any obstructions that could hinder airflow and ensuring the interior of the hood remains clean. Exhaust air volume and velocity measurements are crucial for ensuring operator safety and certifying the fume hood to meet design specifications for the laboratory space.

Duct leakage testing, also known as air duct tightness testing or duct pressure testing, assesses the airtightness of your forced air heating, cooling, and ventilation ductwork. Regardless of the name you use, this procedure is essential for ensuring optimal system performance.

Detecting duct leakage is crucial as it directly affects the efficiency of your HVAC system. Pressure inconsistencies caused by leaks can disrupt airflow, compromising the system's ability to meet design standards. Our duct pressure testing method swiftly identifies any leaks within the ductwork, empowering mechanical contractors to efficiently pinpoint and rectify issues. By addressing these leaks, we enhance the overall performance and efficiency of your HVAC system.

Conducting a blower door test involves the installation of a specialized fan on the exterior door of your home, followed by pressurization. This process allows for the measurement of pressure differentials as air enters your living space. Once all doors, windows, and other openings are sealed, the fan operates to create a standardized pressure difference of 50 Pascals (or 0.2 IWC) between the interior and exterior environments. By depressurizing the entire house, simulating a worst-case scenario, we can accurately assess the building's air tightness.

Saving energy extends beyond simple practices like adjusting heating and cooling usage or switching off lights. The construction of your home plays a significant role in overall energy consumption. For instance, upgrading outdated windows can enhance efficiency dramatically. Through a blower door test, we pinpoint areas of potential energy loss within your home, providing valuable insights for optimizing energy efficiency and reducing utility costs. Incorporating these findings into your home improvement strategy can lead to substantial long-term savings.

Additionally, we offer blower door testing services for small office buildings. Ensuring the energy efficiency of commercial spaces is equally important, and our comprehensive testing methods can identify areas for improvement, contributing to both cost savings and environmental sustainability.

The design criteria for occupied building spaces typically include specific noise and vibration level thresholds. We conduct testing to determine the permissible levels of noise and vibration originating from HVAC equipment or diffuser/grille air velocities entering these spaces. Noise levels are measured using a calibrated Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter, ensuring compliance with design requirements. Similarly, equipment and system vibrations are measured and documented using appropriate methods.

Explore the essence of pump efficiency testing through our comprehensive guide. We assess crucial aspects of pump performance, such as water flow rate, pumping lift (also known as inlet pressure), pump discharge pressure, and energy input to the pumping system. Our evaluation compares the energy input to the pump with the "water horsepower" generated to determine overall pumping efficiency. This horsepower is intricately tied to both pump flow and the total dynamic head within the system, including pumping lift and discharge pressure. 

Following a comprehensive examination of all building systems documentation, a commissioning plan is formulated to establish a systematic approach for validating the installation, functionality, and efficiency of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and control systems. The commissioning authority conducts on-site inspections, collaborates with contractors, addresses any deficiencies, coordinates training for facility operators, and conducts a review ten months post-construction. Subsequently, a detailed commissioning report is presented to the owner, as well as the design and construction teams, outlining the entire commissioning procedure.

Following a comprehensive examination of all building systems documentation, a commissioning plan is formulated to establish a systematic approach for validating the installation, functionality, and efficiency of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and control systems. The commissioning authority conducts on-site inspections, collaborates with contractors, addresses any deficiencies, coordinates training for facility operators, and conducts a review ten months post-construction. Subsequently, a detailed commissioning report is presented to the owner, as well as the design and construction teams, outlining the entire commissioning procedure.

In the early stages of renovating or planning a new tenant build-out project, facility owners and designers often require an assessment of existing HVAC equipment performance. Total Test & Balance conducts measurements of air and hydronic water capacities, providing crucial reports for the project's design phase. Our pre-design and investigation services cater to building owners, facility managers, mechanical engineering firms, and HVAC retro-commissioning firms.