NATE Air Distribution Service study guide
NATE Air Distribution Service · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
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. The NATE Air Distribution Service study guide has 5 sections and about 1,821 words.
01Air Distribution System Components and Terminology
The Components and Terminology domain checks whether you can identify every element of a forced-air distribution system and use pressure and airflow terms correctly. Questions often ask you to distinguish a trunk from a runout, a register from a diffuser, and static from velocity pressure.
368 words, about 2 min02Duct Design, Sizing, and Static Pressure
The Duct Design, Sizing, and Static Pressure domain tests whether you can select duct size from airflow and available pressure, account for fitting losses, and recognize when a design will be noisy or starved. Expect friction-rate calculations, equivalent-length tables, and questions about velocity limits.
385 words, about 2 min03Airflow Measurement, Balancing, and Diagnostics
Airflow Measurement, Balancing, and Diagnostics tests the math and field judgment behind moving air: using manometers, pitot tubes, anemometers, and flow hoods; converting velocity to cfm; balancing branches; and diagnosing high static or low airflow. For standard air, velocity in fpm = 4005 × √(velocity pressure in in.
361 words, about 2 min04Duct Installation, Sealing, and Insulation
Duct Installation, Sealing, and Insulation tests field practices that determine leakage, condensation, noise, and system capacity. Questions cover support spacing, flex duct routing, mastic and tape systems, vapor retarders, insulation compression, and fire/smoke damper installation.
364 words, about 2 min05Indoor Air Quality, Filtration, and Ventilation
Indoor Air Quality, Filtration, and Ventilation tests how filtration, outdoor-air ventilation, exhaust, and humidity control interact with air distribution. Expect MERV selection, filter pressure drop, ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation rates, ERV/HRV application, and combustion-safety diagnostics.
343 words, about 2 min