1) What is testing and balancing?
Testing and balancing is the process of ensuring that your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is operating properly and delivering the correct air quantities at the air devices inside your store. Specifically, this involves cycling the equipment on to verify functionality, as well as measuring preliminary airflows, checking fan rotations, adjusting fan speeds, adjusting dampers, and measuring final airflows to ensure conformance to design.

2) Why is testing and balancing necessary?
Testing and balancing is important because it ensures that your HVAC system is performing correctly and that you have a comfortable and energy-efficient building. It can mean the difference between satisfied and angry customers, and between wasting and saving money.

3) What are signs my building is out of balance?
The most common indicators are: sweating diffusers, exterior doors hard to open, smoke capture problems, uncomfortable temperatures, and drafts. Click here to view some common problems caused by an unbalanced HVAC system.

4) Who should perform my T&B (qualifications)?
Your T&B firm should be certified by a national organization (like the NEBB) to ensure they adhere to accepted and approved standards. The firm should also be independent (meaning that they did not install the HVAC systems themselves) to ensure they provide an objective inspection and follow-up report.

5) When should my store be tested and balanced - during construction or after opening?
The test and balance can really be performed at any time, but the best opportunity is near the end of construction (after all HVAC systems have been installed and started) but before turn-over to operations. During this time period, the T&B firm may uncover deficiencies that can still be corrected by the contractors before they leave the site and before the deficiencies create problems for your operations staff. Melink typically schedules a T&B approximately 1 to 2 weeks prior to a store’s opening.

6) How long does a T&B take?
This largely depends on the size and complexity of your HVAC system. A typical dinner-house restaurant will take about 1 to 2 days.

7) What systems need to be balanced?
Since one subset of the HVAC system can greatly influence the performance of another, all systems within the building should be balanced. This includes, but is not limited to, the conditioned supply air distribution, exhaust systems, make-up air systems, and any hydronic systems (water balance).

8) How often should existing buildings be rebalanced?
The typical rule of thumb is that existing stores should be rebalanced every five years. However, stores might need to be rebalanced more frequently if employee and customer complaints arise or if they have any or all of the problems listed in question #3 above.

9) What makes Melink T&B unique?
Our T&B service is national and not just a local or regional firm. Also, we have earned a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and service excellence in an industry filled with “here today and gone tomorrow” contractors. Finally, we take a holistic approach toward HVAC problem-solving and do not limit our scope of work to simply measuring and adjusting airflows.

10) How does Melink offer a 'holistic approach' toward HVAC problem-solving?
Melink not only air balances your HVAC system, but we also commission it. We review the design, test the equipment, inspect the installation, and check the sequence of operation. Basically, we are there to make sure the owner gets the HVAC system for which he or she paid. We are a direct extension of your construction and/or facilities department.

11) How much does the Melink T&B service cost?
Melink T&B pricing is based on store CFM and square footage and includes all work, travel, and a certified report. You can determine how much a T&B would cost for your store with our Price List. We offer special pricing for National Chains, OEMs, and Distributors.

12) What other T&B services does Melink offer?
We provide re-inspection services to verify that the contractors corrected any deficiencies found during the original test and balance. We perform surveys and provide recommendations on existing stores being considered for a remodel or an upgrade of equipment. We also perform design reviews to reduce construction and operation costs and improve store comfort. For a more detailed list of services, view our T&B Price List