NATE Air Distribution Service case studies
NATE Air Distribution Service · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The NATE Air Distribution Service exam is one of the specialty certification exams offered within the NATE (North American Technician Excellence) HVACR certification program. NATE describes itself on its website as the nation's largest nonprofit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. This specialty is aimed at technicians whose work centers on the air side of a system rather than the refrigerant circuit: duct systems, airflow, pressure, and the quality of the air delivered to occupied spaces. Candidates are typically service and installation technicians, commissioning and balancing personnel, and others who troubleshoot comfort complaints that trace back to distribution rather than refrigeration. The NATE Air Distribution Service case studies are 5 cases and about 2,617 words.
1Bypass Damper Troubleshooting in a Two-Zone House
A 2,900 ft² two-story house has a 4-ton single-stage heat pump, a variable-speed air handler set to constant CFM, a two-zone damper system, and a barometric bypass damper between the supply and return plenums. With both zones calling, total external static pressure is 0.52 in.
544 words, about 3 min2Duct Static Pressure Budget for a New 2.5-Ton System
A contractor is designing a new duct system for a 1,600 ft² single-story house with a 2.5-ton variable-speed air handler rated 1,000 cfm at 0.50 in. Manufacturer pressure allowances are 0.10 in.
547 words, about 3 min3Balancing a Small Commercial Office With a Flow Hood
A technician is balancing a 2,400 ft² dental office with a 5-ton rooftop unit rated 2,000 cfm at 0.60 in. Eight ceiling diffusers are designed for 250 cfm each.
538 words, about 3 min4Flex Duct Defects and a Booster Fan Proposal
A 1,800 ft² house has a 3-ton heat pump with R-8 flexible ducts routed through a 130°F attic. The longest supply run is 28 ft of 8 in.
493 words, about 2 min5Filtration and Ventilation in a Tightened House
A 1,800 ft², three-bedroom house has been tightened with spray foam and new windows. It has a 3-ton heat pump, a 1 in.
495 words, about 2 min