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Residential HVAC Design & Construction Knowledge Center

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    No two projects are identical, so we don't offer a preset price quote. If a quote doesn't change based on your actual plans, it's worth asking what happens once your project turns out to need more time than that quote assumed. Every project gets a preliminary plan evaluation before your consultation, to confirm the architecture has room for a proper, real-world duct and airflow layout. Your free consultation is a chance to walk through your project, ask questions, and find out exactly what we'll need from you to get started.

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    What Our Customers Say

    I knew I needed new ductwork and that I would need to buy a new unit in the next few years. To avoid getting swindled, I decided to get unbiased information from a consultant who would not be selling me equipment. David Brown and ConsultAir came highly recommended and I have not been disappointed. David created Manual J, S and D reports and a duct system layout, with quick replies that include thorough and easy-to-understand answers. As I gathered my first quotes from HVAC contractors, I got pushback on using a consultant’s drawings – some refused, others offered elaborate sales routines and scare tactics to persuade me to use their own drawings and equipment instead. I contacted David with questions about what I was experiencing, and he confirmed my suspicions about one contractor and offered additional guidance so I felt fully armed going into additional quotes.

    SM Axland – via Google Review

    If you are thinking of doing any kind of heating or cooling in your home don’t take a chance by trusting the local HVAC person. They have one agenda… To sell you an overpriced system and get the job done as quickly as possible. I learned this because I had 5 different bids and 5 different sized systems from each installer. How could this be I wondered? Well…it turns out that there is a real, systemic, and calculated way of finding out how big of a system you need for your home. There are manuals and load calculations that can be done to properly size your system. After much searching on Google I stumbled upon David Brown and ConsultAir. He was the person I was searching for. He did all the load calculations, the calculations for the ductwork and even offered some very helpful tips along the way. David should be your first call when looking to install a system. I cannot recommend him highly enough. Thanks David!!!

    Timothy McNeely – Bakersfield, California

    So, I'll start by saying I almost never write reviews. I know I know... it's a good, neighborly thing to do but for whatever reason, I don't ever seem to get around to it. That said, with respect to David and ConsultAir, it's more than warranted. Plainly put, if I could somehow magically reach out to anyone dealing with HVAC issues, I'd tell them this... he is one of the nicest, most helpful, most KNOWLEDGEABLE people I've ever met. And, at this point, the thought of installing or overhauling any HVAC system without his input seems ridiculous to me. My wife and I contacted David after (and here comes the all-too-common contractor story) our HVAC contractor installed a system in our house that was more than twice as big as it should have been. Three units powering different zones of the house, all oversized, that led to freezing up and leaking into our ceilings, jet-like air delivery from the vents, wildly varying hot/cold spots, etc. At David's direction, we took detailed measurements and gave him an overview of what we needed. From minute one, he took an academic approach to our needs the original contractor SHOULD have... calculating the proper loads room by room, studying the layout/functionality of our existing system, and ultimately, reconfiguring/designing a system that worked efficiently. That last point is the most important... for having gone through a full remodel of our house, we've learned that designing a NEW system that works well (any type... HVAC, plumbing, etc.) is hard enough. Reconfiguring an EXISTING system to maximize its potential with the lowest additional cost... that's truly a step above. Because you're working with something that, oftentimes, is less-than-perfect to begin with. And, in our case... far from it. So, to wrap up what, at this point, has become a novel... we can't recommend David and ConsultAir highly enough. He saw us through a difficult situation in a way we've rarely encountered elsewhere, and if you're considering any sort of HVAC install... TALK TO HIM FIRST. You won't regret it.

    Gavin M. – Kingston Springs, Tennessee

Residential HVAC Design & Construction – The Standards, Details, and Decisions Behind a System That Actually Performs

ConsultAir provides residential HVAC design services built around ACCA’s Manual J, Manual S, and Manual D standards, the same three connected calculations required by most current building codes to properly size, select, and deliver conditioned air throughout a home.

Each of these standards has its own dedicated guide below, covering not just what each one does, but the level of detail and accuracy that separates a properly performed calculation from a shortcut.

In addition, you’ll find other useful topics related to residential HVAC design and home building.

Residential HVAC Design & Home Building Topics

Manual J Load Calculation

The foundation of every proper residential HVAC design. Learn what separates an accurate Manual J heat load calculation, one built on real window ratings, true orientation, and precise inputs, from a rushed or shortcut version.

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Manual S Equipment Sizing

Once heating and cooling loads are known, Manual S determines the correct equipment size needed to meet them. Proper equipment sizing provides lasting comfort and energy efficiency for the life of your home.

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Manual D Duct Design

Manual D duct design isn’t just sizing ducts to fit the space available. By properly calculating the airflow, friction rate, and total effective length your Manual J and Manual S calculations call for, this process also identifies where adequate space for duct routing doesn’t exist before framing is complete.

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Installable HVAC Duct Design

Satisfying the local building department with a code-compliant Manual D report and designing a duct system that’s actually installable aren’t always the same thing. Discover the difference between a duct design that satisfies the plan reviewer and one your HVAC contractor can actually install.

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Sample HVAC Design Package

See a complete, real Manual J, S & D design package, with all client and property information removed, so you know exactly what to expect before you order one.

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What Is an Independent HVAC Designer?

Understand what an independent HVAC designer does, how that role differs from an HVAC contractor, and why keeping design separate from installation protects the quality of your system.

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Free HVAC Design Consultation

How It Works

A properly designed HVAC system starts with the right information. Order your Manual J, S & D HVAC design today for lasting comfort, efficiency, and confidence in every decision along the way.

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Residential HVAC Design & Home Building Resources

Rebates, codes, and trusted resources related to residential HVAC design.

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