Pressure Measurement Pro Tips w/ Steve Rogers

HVAC School - For Techs, By Techs

In this podcast, Steve Rogers from The Energy Conservatory explains some pro tips for pressure measurement.

There are three common types of pressure measurements: absolute, gauge, and differential. Absolute pressure is the pressure in a particular space in reference to a complete vacuum. (All absolute measurements use the zero point as a reference.) Gauge pressure uses atmospheric pressure as a reference point (which varies with altitude and location). Differential pressure relies on two connections (one of them is a reference point to the other).

The Energy Conservatory recently designed a manometer (DG-8) that differs from the standard manometers. The purpose of that manometer is to make pressure measurements in a more cost-effective way. Most manometers have similar sensors (diaphragms move with pressure, and the measurement read is the resulting difference in resistance). However, the DG-8’s methodology can help it yield much more accurate measurements.

When dealing with small pressure measurements (like Pascals), the DG-8 is one of the most accurate manometers you will find on the market.

When you look at room pressure, keep in mind that pressurizing one room will depressurize another. Temperature differences also impact the pressure, and the HVAC unit can cause differences in pressure to arise as a result of temperature differences. When you run the kitchen or bathroom exhaust and expel a lot of air in your home, you can also bring the home under negative pressure; that can even cause your water heater to backdraft.

Steve and Bryan also discuss:

• Blower door manometers vs. DG-8 manometers
• Pascal scale
• Room pressures and air paths
• Infiltration and its effect on load calculations
• Dominant duct leakage
• Combustion appliance zone (CAZ) testing
• Mechanical ventilation and pressure
• Orphaned water heaters
• DG-8 and the TrueFlow grid

Learn more about the DG-8 HERE.

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