While the purpose of duct design for a commercial HVAC system might be similar to that of one for a residential property, commercial duct design is much more complex, if for any other reason because the size and scope of the heating, ventilation and cooling system is so much larger.
If you take the concepts of residential duct design and use them in your commercial installation, theoretically the system will still work, but odds are it won’t be nearly as efficient or cost-effective as it otherwise would have been had you used commercial HVAC duct design standards.
Continuing education is an ongoing need for today’s HVAC technicians. Not only is the industry always changing, but HVAC-related codes, including ASHRAE 90.1, ICC International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), NFPA 70 – National Electric Code (NEC), and the UMC Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC), are also regularly updated.
At BTrained, our courses can help you stay up to date with the latest HVAC duct design standards, but there are also several online resources that we can recommend that can help you stay on top of the industry. In this post, we’ll share six great online resources where you can find information that can help you excel throughout your career.
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is a national nonprofit that has more than 60,000 members. The ACCA is so large that it carries a lot of influence in the industry. It even has a lot of input as to what goes into the latest HVAC design and maintenance standards and education requirements.
The ACCA website is a reliable resource for HVAC techs because it offers a wide variety of content, including paid and free courses, videos and webcasts, downloadable manuals, advocacy resources, business building tools, and so much more. With a sizable portion of the site focused on commercial HVAC, this is a resource every technician should bookmark.
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) was formed in 1959 with the goal of unifying two of the industry’s largest and most active organizations, ASHAE and ASRE. Its mission is to provide professional development, technical resources, and conference hosting to HVAC professionals of all experience levels.
The ASHRAE offers plenty of free resources, but membership is required to gain full access to ASHRAE’s Technology Portal. Once a member, you can take advantage of a huge library of online resources, including research reports, journals, and articles on a range of HVAC-related topics, including commercial and industrial HVAC design and installation.
U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes Guide
The U.S. Department of Energy offers a building energy codes guide that is written and devised by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Energy Codes program. This guide can provide HVAC techs with valuable information related to commercial HVAC design codes and compliance, as well as the design basics most commonly used in the commercial HVAC sector.
HVAC Training 101
For those new to HVAC or about to enroll in an HVAC training course at BTrained, HVAC Training 101 can provide a good foundation in the basics. The site offers a rich variety of resources, including knowledge-based guides, state-specific certification information, product reviews, and more. While many resources are available for free, some of the content, such as the EPA 680 study guide, is only available by purchasing it.
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) has been providing support, education, and industry news to professionals in the HVAC field for more than 75 years. With its vast library of webinars and webcasts, technical papers, and manuals, it offers a robust selection of pertinent information on design fundamentals for commercial HVAC systems and compliance.
Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES)
The Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES) is a popular destination for those looking for education, training, and certification prep for HVACR (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration). The RSES website keeps a sizable library of educational materials, and it is also a leading provider of free HVAC industry news to both members and non-members.
Like most of the sites listed here, the RSES offers a combination of free and paid content. Membership will provide you with the greatest selection of information, of course, with resources ranging from webinars and online training courses to white papers covering the standards and best practices for commercial HVAC ductwork design.
Master the Art of Duct Design with BTrained’s Duct Design Workshop
While the online resources listed here can help you on your journey to becoming the best HVAC technician you can, they are no substitute for in-person learning. Enrolling in BTrained’s Metal Duct Design & Fabrication Workshop is specially designed to provide you with the educational foundation and hands-on experience that is needed to master the art of commercial duct design.
This is a comprehensive three-day program that will help you become a better ductwork designer and fabricator. With the skills you learn, you will be able to work more efficiently and safer to get the results you’re looking for with fewer injury risks.
BTrained’s training courses have a limited number of seats available, and they tend to fill up quickly, so if you want to improve your metal duct fabrication skills, then it’s recommended to claim your spot early. Enroll today and secure your spot.