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  • How to Select the Proper Explosion-Proof Motor for Your Fan Application

    A variety of exhaust fans with spark-resistant designs that are suitable for contaminated and flammable environments are available in the marketplace. Many of these environments can use totally enclosed (TE) motors since the motors are not in the contaminated airstream and pose no threat to ignite a

  • Meeting Energy Code Requirements with Fan Energy Index (FEI) Ratings

    State Energy Code Requirements The deadline for states to comply with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) commercial building energy code stipulations was July 28, 2023. To satisfy DOE regulations, states must certify that their energy codes deliver energy savings at least equivalent to ANSI/ASHRAE Stan

  • Ventilation Fundamentals for Indoor Air Safety

    The National Education Association cites that nearly 57.5 million students and school employees enter the doors of our nation’s schools every day. According to estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, half of these adults and children spend their school days breathing air polluted wi

  • Understanding the Differences Between Backdraft and Relief Dampers – Application and Selection

    A successful HVAC system installation requires the correct components. Selecting most components is pretty simple. However, some can create problems. Backdraft and relief dampers, because of subtle differences and uses, can fall into that category. (Figure 1) Figure 1 Backdraft dampers, also known a

  • Evaluating Finish Coat Processes for Grilles, Registers, and Diffusers

    Grilles, registers, and diffusers (GRD) are an afterthought for most people until something like rust ruins the aesthetics of a space. GRD products corrode due to a variety of reasons. The primary reason is humidity and dust particles finding untreated metal on the product instead of being encapsula

  • Understanding FEI; the new Fan Energy Index

    As the saying goes “The only thing that is constant is change.” As we all know, change isn’t always good. However in this case, changing to the new Fan Energy Index (FEI), replacing the much criticized and flawed FEG (Fan Efficiency Grade) metric, is great! FEI replaces existing fan energy metrics i

  • How to Adjust Floor-Mounted Isolators for Noise and Vibration-free Operation

    Your HVAC equipment is making unusual sounds and vibrating. Time to call maintenance, right? Well, yes, but maybe not for the reason you thought. It could be nothing more than a simple adjustment of fan isolators. Installing fan isolators on your HVAC equipment reduces the transmission of vibration

  • What goes into motor sizing?

    Motor sizing is more than a simple selection. Part one of this discussion explained fundamentals about horsepower (HP), torque and the fan laws. That information will aid in selecting a fan and determine the motor size. Fan Selection The fan criteria used for this post was for a direct drive fan wit

  • What you need to know about ASHRAE 90.1-2022, FEG, and FEI - Part I

    ASHRAE 90.1 revisions over time have reduced HVAC energy consumption in nonresidential buildings by 50% since the standard's introduction in 1975. Like software updates that incorporate improvements and bug fixes, so it is with standards and code revisions. Hence this is the reason to update your pr

  • Redundant Lab Exhaust Systems: Are You Selecting the Best Option for Safety?

    Safety. Reliability. Ensure proper design and installation of systems to keep a laboratory open and operational. Laboratories must meet these requirements. However, labs have stringent ventilation needs when compared with other applications. Many labs work on critical research with potential for inf

  • Big Ceiling Fans: A Guide to HVLS

    HVLS or overhead ceiling fans are an extremely efficient way of moving large quantities of air around large spaces, like warehouses, auditoriums, and even a hotel atriums. They can be big enough to produce a slight breeze, keeping sizable open spaces relatively cool by increasing the rate of evapora

  • Podcast: Understanding Fan Energy Index (FEI)

    Consulting Specifying Engineer: Understanding Fan Energy Index (FEI)In this Consulting Specifying Engineer podcast, Greenheck Principal Application Engineer, Tyler Mancl P.E., discusses how FEI is a true energy efficiency metric and explains how an understanding of FEI can help engineers with code c

  • What you need to know about ASHRAE 90.1-2022, FEG, and FEI - Part II

    In our previous blog post, we explained the inconsistencies that were in the Fan Efficiency Grade metric (FEG) which was included in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 and other energy standards. Because of these inconsistencies, the FEG metric could not accurately define the most energy-efficient fan for an

  • How to Select and Apply Balancing Dampers

    It is more important than ever for a building’s HVAC system to be adjusted and balanced correctly to achieve the required indoor air quality at the lowest possible operating costs. Pressure imbalances within an HVAC system can make it more difficult to maintain a given condition within a room (i.e.,

  • How to Improve HVAC Systems by Making a Fraction of an Inch Change

    The impact HVAC grilles and registers have in a total ventilation system may seem small compared to the system overall. However, a fraction of an inch in the spacing of the grille or register blades makes a big difference. Most supply and return grilles use 3/4" blade spacing, but evidence suggests

  • Certifications, Regulations, and Codes—What are they and why should I care?

    Why do some HVAC products have several certifications depending on the application? Why do HVAC projects have some regulatory or code requirements that vary by equipment type and building, and are even specific to each system in a building? Shouldn’t similar products from competing manufacturers hav

  • Effective Strategies for Healthier Indoor Air

    The importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) has continued to grow as we focus on improving societal health. Of course, the COVID pandemic has reinforced the need for well-designed ventilation systems that provide improved IAQ. If you are focused on improvement, particularly by reducing the efficacy o

  • Fire Dampers 101 – Types, Testing, and Ratings

    Fire dampers play a very important role in protecting buildings and saving lives in the event of a fire. Building codes require fire dampers to maintain the fire-resistance ratings of walls, partitions, and floors when penetrated by air ducts and transfer openings. (Figure 1) Upon detection of eleva

  • The Basics of Fan Performance Tables, Fan Curves, System Resistance Curves, and Fan Laws

    Product Application Articles: The Basics of Fan Performance Tables, Fan Curves, System Resistance Curves, and Fan Laws Knowledge of fan performance tables, fan curves, system resistance curves, and fan laws is vital for fan selection. Many fan and HVAC product manufacturers offer computerized select

  • Understanding Fan System Effects

    The air movement industry uses a common term to describe certain inlet and outlet conditions that adversely affect fan performance. The term used is “system effect.” Perhaps the term should be “fan installation effect” because system effect results from the difference in how the fan was tested, comp

  • How to Prevent Thermal Expansion and Contraction in HVAC Grilles, Registers, and Diffusers (GRD)

    What if the occupants of a newly constructed building hear clicking or popping noises coming from the linear diffusers as the air conditioning is cooling the space? This issue can be frustrating, and it's important to understand why this situation can occur and how to prevent it from happening. In t

  • Benefits of Heating Warehouses with Direct Gas-Fired Equipment

    Direct gas-fired equipment has been used for many years in industrial make-up air applications. Benefits including 92% thermal efficiency, low first cost, and compact footprints make direct gas-fired equipment the ideal choice. For these same reasons, direct gas-fired equipment is also a great fit f

  • Benefits of Air Balancing and Commissioning for Make-Up Air Units

    Make-up air unit commissioning for new projects or pre-existing buildings is a quality assurance process to verify and document that HVAC systems function as specified and meet the operational needs of the building. The value of the initial commissioning is represented by operating savings, unit per

  • Achieve Long-Term Indoor Air Quality with These DOAS Fundamental Features

    Investing in dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) for your building can ensure lasting indoor air quality (IAQ) for the life of the equipment. This assumes the DOAS units receive regular maintenance and that the DOAS equipment you purchase has the fundamental features designed to protect the unit. T

  • How to Prevent Condensation in HVAC Grilles, Registers, and Diffusers (GRD)

    Finishing a newly constructed building is a moment of great satisfaction and excitement for everybody involved. However, what if, after all the hard work and dedication, occupants begin to notice water dripping from the metal HVAC grilles when the air gets too cold? Or what if you hear clicking or p

  • Product Application Articles: Fan Sound

    Product Application Articles: Fan Sound Sound is a critical consideration in the selection and application of fans. Despite this, fan sound remains one of the least understood topics in the air handling industry. This series of articles provides a better understanding and point of reference on how f

  • How to Specify HVAC Equipment to Attain LEED Certification

    Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is nearly 30 years old. The voluntary rating and certification program has had a profound impact on the direction of building design and construction. More than 93,000 projects and more than 19 billion square feet of space have qualified (register

  • Save Time and Money with True Round Life Safety Dampers

    Building codes require life safety dampers to protect openings in walls, ceilings, floors, and/or partitions to prevent the spread of fire and/or smoke. The four types of life safety dampers are: Fire dampers Smoke dampers Combination fire smoke dampers Ceiling radiation dampers Round ductwork requi

  • Addressing Two Trends that will Strain Efficiency in the Warehouse

    The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to shape our world for years to come. Two trends—growth in e-commerce and the need for improved indoor air quality (IAQ)—have increased in significance because of the pandemic. Interestingly, these trends place added pressure on warehouse operations to meet growin

  • Air Terminal Units – The Basics

    Ever think to yourself, how come I can adjust the temperature in the conference room without affecting my office? The answer is air terminal units (ATUs)! Why use ATUs? ATUs, also referred to as VAV boxes, allow occupants in a specific zone to adjust the temperature to their comfort level by regulat

  • Bubble-Tight Damper Performance Requirements

    In today’s world of harmful chemicals, particulate matter, and noxious gases, bubble-tight dampers are more important than ever. A bubble-tight damper is an isolation damper designed to meet the performance requirements for zero leakage in critical leakage applications such as clean rooms, medical f

  • Understanding GRD Performance Data and Applications

    Grilles, Registers, and Diffusers (GRDs) are designed to enable the efficient distribution of conditioned air within a given space. Each type of GRD product offers unique advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for specific applications. When it comes to selecting GRD products, engineers

  • What Are the Effects of Increasing Air Filtration Requirements on Fan Performance?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently released guidance for improving air quality in buildings. In addition, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has recently published ASHRAE Standard 241P, Control of Infectious Aerosols. Thes

  • What You Need to Know About Fire Ratings to Select the Correct Ceiling Radiation Damper

    Selecting the correct ceiling radiation damper (firestop flap for our friends in Canada) requires a solid understanding of the testing and expected damper performance. This understanding guides the selection based on the protection needed and shows the importance of proper selection and installation

  • Static Pressure, Throw, NC Level, and Other GRD Terms (Get to Know the Language of GRD)

    Anyone who works in the HVAC industry knows it has its own language. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) language contain words and acronyms that, outside of the industry mean little to the average person. Subsets of the HVAC industry also use specialized terms to describe the function

  • Addressing the Challenges of Operating Room Air Distribution

    What differentiates critical environments from regular commercial construction is the necessity for very carefully controlled parameters for the quality of air. These parameters could include specific temperatures, humidity, pressure, velocity, particle counts, oxygen content, etc. In addition to th

  • Understanding High Wind and Seismic Approval Programs

    When designing a building, design engineers must consider building resiliency and the types of natural events the building must withstand, including high wind and seismic events. In doing so, engineers should be aware of these two approval programs to aid in proper HVAC product selection: Miami-Dade

  • How Do Thermally Actuated Diffusers Conserve Energy in Commercial Buildings?

    With HVAC systems and fans comprising over 35% of a building’s overall energy consumption, it’s imperative to incorporate energy-saving devices into the HVAC system design. Thermally Actuated Diffusers are useful devices to help conserve energy while creating more comfortable environments. What are

  • Will the Energy Crisis Choke the Lifeblood Out of Data Centers?

    What happens when you combine a fragile supply chain, a pandemic, and a wildly unexpected rapid economic rebound? The answer most often is short-term shortages. However, because the combination of events covered the entire world, the short term is lasting longer and causing more challenges. The ener

  • How Recent Changes in UL Standards Affect Fans

    You may have been familiar with fans meeting UL Listing criteria that aligned under three UL Standards: Power Ventilators (UL 705), Power Ventilators for Smoke Control, and Power Ventilators for Restaurant Exhaust (UL 762). As of June 2021, UL made changes to these standards. Here’s a breakdown of w

  • Choosing the Right Air Distribution Partner for Data Centers

    Choosing the right air distribution partner is essential to the success of data center projects. Power costs are a critical element of data center operations. With the constant need to keep servers cool, energy-efficient air movement must be an integral part of the core strategy to reduce overall po

  • Podcast: Energy Recovery: A Clear Solution for Improved IAQ in Existing Buildings

    Energy Recovery: A Clear Solution for Improved IAQ in Existing Buildings Improving IAQ through mechanical ventilation presents many challenges, especially in existing, and often outdated, buildings. Listen as Tyler Mancl, P.E. of Greenheck talks with ACHR News about how Energy Recovery Ventilators (

  • Changing the Narrative: From Indoor Air Quality to Indoor Air Safety

    Before the pandemic, the majority of us took for granted that the air we breathe indoors is safe, just as we trust the water we drink is safe. Since the pandemic, we’ve learned that this is not always the case. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) suddenly became a hot topic due to airborne viral transmission,

  • The Importance of Handing - Air Terminal Units with Hot Water Coils

    Air terminal units (ATUs) are essential to the air distribution system within commercial buildings. These units are responsible for delivering conditioned air from an air handler to the occupied space. ATUs are often equipped with reheat capabilities, either electric or hot water coils, for fine-tun

  • Energy Recovery: A Clear Solution for Improved IAQ In Existing Buildings

    As building occupancy continues to return to pre-pandemic levels in the wake of COVID-19, a heightened awareness exists to improve the quality and safety of the air we breathe. The most proven and longstanding method of doing this is by increasing the amount of ventilation, or fresh air, that we bri

  • Louver Fundamentals: A Breakdown of AMCA Louver Certifications

    The Air Movement and Control Association International or AMCA develops industry-related test standards for air movement and control products while independently certifying product performance to ensure reliable and accurate product performance. AMCA has several standards that pertain to louvers. AN

  • What are the Top Questions Engineers and Contractors Ask about Life-Safety Dampers?

    Greenheck manufactures several hundred different damper products. Each offers variations to customize the product to specific applications. This large number of dampers and variations can create a little confusion. We receive many questions regarding life-safety damper products. The following are am

  • Data Center Energy Efficiency

    According to the Department of Energy, data centers are one of the most energy-intensive building types, consuming 10 to 50 times the energy per floor space of a typical commercial office building. Collectively, these spaces account for approximately 2% of the total U.S. electricity use and will con

  • EC Motor Fundamentals: Choosing the Right Motor—EC versus Belt Drive

    New developments in EC motor technology and a growing list of benefits make EC motors attractive options in fan applications. But do these benefits make traditional belt drives obsolete? Let’s consider why customers select EC motors. All motors in fan equipment have two magnetic fields located in th

  • Podcast: Improving Indoor Air Quality And Energy Efficiency In Schools

    Schools in Focus: Greenheck School Ventilation Solutions Mike Wolf, Director of Industry & Regulatory Relations, and Tyler Mancl, Principal Application Engineer, talk about improving indoor air quality and energy efficiency in both new and retrofit school facility applications in Spaces4Learning’s S

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