Air balancing, or Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB), is the methodical process of measuring the performance characteristics of a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and making adjustments as required to ensure the system is operating optimally and according to the design.
Air balancing is a critical step for the initial installation of a new HVAC system and is a requirement for the system to operate properly. A qualified and experienced TAB agency will measure all performance characteristics of the system such as airflow, pressures, temperatures, fan and motor speeds as well as electrical power usage. After measuring these parameters as part of the air balancing procedures, the TAB firm can begin making adjustments to the system until it is operating as designed. If performance deficiencies are found, such as inadequate airflow or incorrect air distribution, the TAB agency can typically adjust the systems to meet the design intent if sufficient capacity and components exist in the system.
Many existing buildings have HVAC systems that are operating inefficiently. Perhaps modifications to the building or systems have altered the original balancing and the system is no longer meeting design intent. In some cases, balancing was never completed in the first place and the system has been operating incorrectly since day one. Common issues that result are uneven air distribution, low or high airflow, drafts, noise, and general occupant discomfort - not to mention wasted energy. Having a qualified TAB agency perform an updated air balance on the building's systems may help identify and correct many of these issues.
A good air balancing job is something that is often taken for granted - if done properly, it is something that the end users of a space will likely not think about at all. When done improperly or not done at all, occupant discomfort can become a major problem - spaces that are too hot or too cold, noisy vents, drafty areas, or inadequate airflow are all issues that create discomfort and cause occupants to be unable to perform at their best.
A properly balanced HVAC system can generate significant energy savings by distributing air where it needs to go throughout a space and reducing temperature imbalance. Today's buildings are more complex than ever, often with automated control systems that are responsible for operating the mechanical systems that keep the building running. There are many factors that influence the energy consumed by a building's HVAC systems - the location of the building and the climate that it is in, the architectural design of the structure, the activities taking place inside the building (ie. heat loads), and more. All of these factors are taken into account by design engineers when a building is being constructed or modified, and if a proper air balance is not completed, the systems will almost certainly fail to operate as the design engineer intended and will waste energy as a result.
In many cases, a proper system test and balance goes beyond improving energy efficiency and ensuring occupant comfort. In some industrial, healthcare, laboratory or high occupancy applications, proper air balancing is required to maintain a safe, breathable atmosphere for users. A qualified TAB agency is critical in these situations to ensure a safe environment is maintained inside these areas. Often, safety-critical spaces require the ongoing use of a TAB firm to regularly ensure systems are performing optimally and occupant safety is not compromised.
Air balancing ensures HVAC systems in new buildings operate as required by design, and in existing buildings, can correct many common operational issues that waste energy and create occupant discomfort. In many applications, air balancing is also required to keep spaces safe.
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