Effective IAQ Measurement & Control w/ Haven

In this podcast, Ben from HAVEN IAQ, Kaleb, and Bryan discuss how to control indoor air quality and take effective, meaningful, accurate measurements.

HAVEN is a platform that offers hardware and software delivered to a homeowner through an HVAC professional. HAVEN’s goal is to give its customers a healthier, more comfortable home using IAQ solutions.

The hardware (controls, etc.) works with the HAVEN software to give customers and contractors data about IAQ and the performance of the HVAC equipment. Right now, you may install up to two HAVEN controllers and one monitor per zone to help control equipment and monitor the air content.

Air sampling occurs every hour, whether the HVAC system is running or not. Customers can learn to control their ventilation habits to address acute events (e.g., a spike in humidity from cooking), which only result in short-term IAQ problems. However, contractors can use the air sampling data to develop solutions for chronic events (e.g., constant high humidity).

Solutions, even simple filtration ones, are best left to the contractors to figure out. The integration of most IAQ products requires some degree of design and planning. HAVEN products do NOT provide plug-and-play solutions. While “demand” solutions can introduce outdoor air to prevent a viral problem, you could introduce a moisture problem without proper planning.

Ben, Kaleb, and Bryan also discuss:

HAVEN central air controller
Building relationships with customers
Software integrations with other platforms
Filtration caveats
HAVEN Pro Portal and Personal Use Program
Ease of connecting HAVEN controllers to equipment
“Demand” ventilation, dehumidification, etc.
Importance of airflow
Making IAQ product sales and educating homeowners
IAQ placebos
In-duct monitoring
Introducing HAVEN products to your market

Please visit pro.haveniaq.com to access HAVEN’s Pro Portal.

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Check out information on the 2022 HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium/.

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Author:

Bryan Orr

Company: HVAC School

Position: Founder

Kaleb Saleeby

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Chris Hughes and Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory discuss TEC’s TrueFlow technology and its crucial role in predicting airflow issues in the sales process, particularly for heat pump retrofits. They explain how the TrueFlow app helps contractors accurately measure both static pressure and airflow in existing systems, enabling them to predict whether proposed equipment changes will work effectively. This is especially vital when considering the growing trend of replacing gas furnaces with heat pumps, as the airflow requirements can differ significantly.

The conversation delves into a detailed example of replacing an 80% efficient 48,000 BTU furnace with a heat pump. They demonstrate how the airflow requirement would nearly double from 652 CFM to 1,200 CFM, potentially causing the static pressure to quadruple due to Fan Law 2 principles. This dramatic increase could lead to significant performance issues if not properly addressed during the system design phase. The experts emphasize that using TrueFlow during the sales process allows contractors to identify potential problems and necessary modifications before installation rather than discovering issues during callbacks.

The discussion also covers the ideal workflow for system assessment and sales, starting with customer comfort evaluation and proper load calculations. It’s important to reduce loads through envelope improvements when possible, particularly in cold climates where heat pump retrofits are becoming more common. Proper system sizing often means going smaller rather than larger, contrary to common industry practices, and the worst HVAC systems are often found in expensive custom homes rather than tract housing.

Key Topics Covered:

TrueFlow technology and its role in system forecasting
Fan Law 2 and its impact on static pressure when changing airflow
Heat pump retrofit challenges and considerations
The importance of accurate load calculations
Dual fuel systems as a solution for cold climates
The relationship between airflow and static pressure
Sales process integration of technical measurements
Common issues with oversized equipment
The importance of envelope assessment
Methods for reducing system loads
Proper duct sizing and modification strategies
The role of proper filter sizing and selection
The benefits of flat-rate pricing for duct modifications
Training resources and support available for TrueFlow users

Check out TEC’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@energyconservatory, and you can visit TEC’s website at https://energyconservatory.com/.

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Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 6th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android.