• Thermal Comfort: We are in the comfort business. Thermal comfort is essential to how your customer feels. Frequently, uncomfortable conditions can intensify their health issues.
• Filtration: Every HVAC system should have some filter in place. Understanding how to design a filtration system into an existing or new mechanical system is essential.
• Ventilation: Ventilation is our industry’s most overlooked part of an HVAC system. You will find that ventilation will become a vital part of almost every solution. And not always for the same reasons.
• Humidity Control: Give close attention to this aspect, whether there is too much or too little humidity. Too much humidity can lead to microbial growth and undesirable comfort levels. Too little humidity can cause mucous membranes to dry out and cause high static electricity in the home.
• Building Pressures: This gets us into building science and is very important. Having a slight negative pressure in a home or building can cause undesirable results, such as gases, pollutants, or dust getting into the space. Even worse, negative pressure can cause combustible appliances to backdraft, bringing carbon monoxide into the space. Even when doing a load calculation, having an infiltration number is critical.
• Pollutant ID and Source Control: You can’t address what you don’t know. Using an instrument like the AirAdvice monitor is
  always a good idea. I can’t stress this enough: source control, source control, source control.

In closing, you can diagnose the whole house as a system using these six key principles and the latest testing tools and technology. Then, you too, will be able to design and implement safe, healthy, comfortable, and efficient environments for your
clients.

JOHN ELLIS is an IAQ Specialist who owns Dynamic Air Consulting company. He is also a training coach for The New Flat Rate and an instructor for the Daikin/Amana/Goodman manufacturing team. He can be reached at DynamicAirConsulting@aol.com.