It’s no secret the vast majority of residential HVAC systems operate with high static pressure and low fan airflow. In June of 2018, the Department of Energy reviewed 44 independent studies on residential equipment airflow performance.

The study with the best results found 50% of systems tested moved less than 350 cfm per ton, while the study with the worst results found 93% of systems fell below that same threshold.

If these findings represent the average home, then most systems would benefit from contractors using the Air Upgrade™ process to reduce total external static pressure (TESP) and increase fan airflow.

What is an Air Upgrade?

An Air Upgrade is a set of prepackaged repairs designed so equipment can operate as the manufacturer intended. These repairs often include:

A laser particle scanner measuring 81,357 particles per cubic foot of air at 0.3 micron or larger.
  • Adding one large return in the home
  • Increasing the size of one to three supply branch ducts
  • Eliminating excess flexible duct and pinch points
  • Enlarging the return plenum/drop
  • Reducing filter pressure drop.

Most contractors use flat-rate pricing to sell an Air Upgrade either as a system repair or part of an installation package. While Air Upgrades are often sold as comfort or efficiency improvements, they also have a direct impact on indoor air quality (IAQ) and the broader indoor air environment (IAE).

Indoor Air Quality vs. Indoor Air Environment

IAQ is the condition of air inside a building as it relates to occupant health and safety. ASHRAE Standard 62.1 defines acceptable IAQ as “air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked poor IAQ to symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

IAE is a broader term. It encompasses IAQ but also considers how the air feels in terms of comfort. Important factors include temperature, humidity, air movement, noise, and odors. IAQ is about health and safety, while IAE also includes comfort.

Filtration: The First Line of Defense

A common Air Upgrade includes filter improvements to reduce pressure drop. Doing so lowers total external static pressure and improves fan airflow. Another benefit is air passes through a properly sized filter at a lower velocity and increases its effectiveness.

Designing the Air Upgrade with filter pressure drop in mind also allows contractors to specify filters with higher Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV) ratings without sacrificing system performance.

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