High-Performance Systems versus High-Efficiency Equipment: No Need to Choose

Today’s high-efficiency equipment can bring out the best in high-performance air distribution systems. The key to maximizing total system performance is getting both right and properly matched. Before we look at the benefits of this great match-up, let’s define each of these.

What is a High-Performance Air Distribution System?
As much as we’d like to believe that in today’s newer homes air distribution systems are superior to ones installed over the past three decades, the reality is when we test even the newest HVAC systems we find that they are still underperforming at an average of less than 60% delivered BTUs into the space.

Today’s duct systems are tighter as most codes require some degree of duct sealing. Unfortunately, sealing ducts alone does little to improve system performance. In fact, just sealing often makes things worse due to increased static pressures and resulting airflow reduction.

When National Comfort Institute tests even the newest HVAC systems we find that they are still underperforming at an average of less than 60% delivered BTUs into the space.

A highly performing air distribution system, whether in a new home or an existing one requires much more than tight ducts, although sealing is part of the equation. Air distribution systems must be properly designed, installed, sealed, and tested to deliver 80-95% of their capacity into the space.

Every component of the “system” must work in unison to deliver the level of performance your customers expect and deserve. This includes properly designed and installed plenums, ductwork, balancing dampers, grilles, and registers. Once airflow is correct, the equipment works properly, and systems can be effectively balanced. Even zoning systems work much better when everything is in sync.

High-Efficiency Equipment Makes It Better!
When a high-performance system is coupled with high-end equipment, the results can be truly amazing. Newer variable speed air handlers or furnaces coupled with inverter-driven condensing sections can deliver unmatched comfort and efficiency when installed on a properly upgraded air distribution system. The two will work in tandem to deliver on the promises made about the new equipment.

When a high-performance system is coupled with high-end equipment, the results can be truly amazing.

Think of it as taking high-end equipment and turbocharging it with a high-end delivery system. Why would you deliver just half of the equation? Don’t your customers deserve the “whole” solution?

I just had some personal experience with this. My home, which was featured nearly 13 years ago in the pages of Contracting Business magazine received its Quality Home Comfort Award (CLICK HERE). The air distribution system was as near perfect as you can get by delivering 97% of system capacity into the conditioned space.

From a comfort standpoint, the system maintains a temperature within 1°F of setpoint in virtually every square foot of the home’s living space. You could say the project had NCI’s fingerprints all over it.

The system, which features high-end registers and grilles, balancing dampers on every takeoff, near-zero leakage ductwork, and five zones, was originally installed with Amana 95% variable-speed furnaces and 14-SEER two-speed condensers.

Earlier this year we replaced all the equipment, installing new Amana variable-speed furnaces and 20 SEER Inverter-driven variable speed condensers. With the duct system still at near-perfect BTU delivery, the home is more comfortable than ever, and the furnaces and condensers run at about half capacity most of the time.

In other words, we’re still getting incredible comfort, dehumidification, and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with energy consumption estimated at nearly half of what we were spending before. The high-end equipment and high-end duct system are working in perfect unison to provide incredibly high overall performance.

This is a clear example of why there is no reason to choose one or the other when updating your customers’ HVAC systems. More than 90% of the time you should do both.

Ultimately, it’s up to the homeowner on how much performance they are willing to invest in. With a good financing package, you can show them how spending a little more on a high-performance system will cost them less in the long run and give them the comfort they deserve and should expect.

Dominick Guarino is CEO of National Comfort Institute (NCI), (www.nationalcomfortinstitute.com), one of the nation’s premier Performance-BasedTM training, certification, and membership organization focused on helping contractors grow and become more profitable. His e-mail is ncilink.com/ContactMe. For more info on Performance-Based ContractingTM go to WhyPBC.com or call NCI at 800/633-7058.