Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Alex Meaney in this comprehensive presentation ''Understanding Airflow: David Bowie, a Used Car Lot, and a 40¢ Tool with Alex Meaney'' from the 6th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium as he breaks down the fundamentals of airflow in HVAC systems using creative analogies and practical demonstrations.
What You'll Learn:
The Scale Problem in Ductwork
Why duct sizing isn't as simple as it seems
How cross-sectional area dramatically impacts airflow
Understanding Pressure (The "David Bowie" Connection)
Static pressure vs. velocity pressure vs. pressure loss vs. external static pressure
Why pressure isn't the "bad guy"—friction is
The asteroid analogy: how friction affects airflow like atmospheric entry
Visual Demonstrations
The "used car lot" inflatable tube demo showing static and velocity pressure balance
Bathroom scale and crate analogy for understanding energy transfer
How energy gets "used" vs "wasted" in duct systems
Measuring Airflow
The 40¢ manometer: building pressure measurement tools with basic tubing
Why we focus on static pressure measurements in residential HVAC
Pitot tube basics and velocity pressure measurement challenges
Residential vs Commercial Design Philosophy
Why residential design works "backwards" from commercial
The myth of the 0.08 "magic number" and why there isn't one universal answer
How to calculate proper friction rates based on available static pressure
Real-World Applications
Why 0.1 inches of water column per 100 feet doesn't work in modern systems
The impact of modern filters, coils, and unit locations on system design
Central air vs "corner air"—the importance of equipment placement
Modern Challenges
How today's tighter coils, better filters, and larger homes have changed the game
Why oversized equipment on undersized ducts seems to "work" (but shouldn't)
The importance of using tools like TrueFlow grids instead of relying on customer satisfaction
Key Takeaways:
Duct sizing is geometric, not linear—small changes have big impacts
Friction is your enemy, not pressure
Modern residential systems need larger ducts than traditional 0.1 sizing allows
Equipment placement dramatically affects duct sizing requirements
Proper measurement and testing beats customer complaints as success metrics
About the Presenter:
Alex Meaney brings years of experience as head trainer for Wrightsoft and a unique perspective with his background in English, communications, and philosophy. His approach focuses on understanding the "why" behind HVAC principles rather than just memorizing formulas.
Perfect for HVAC technicians, installers, and anyone looking to understand the fundamental principles behind proper airflow design and troubleshooting.
Find out more at: hvacrschool.com/symposium
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
Join Alex Meaney in this comprehensive presentation ''Understanding Airflow: David Bowie, a Used Car Lot, and a 40¢ Tool with Alex Meaney'' from the 6th Annual HVAC/R Training Symposium as he breaks down the fundamentals of airflow in HVAC systems using creative analogies and practical demonstrations.
What You'll Learn:
The Scale Problem in Ductwork
Why duct sizing isn't as simple as it seems
How cross-sectional area dramatically impacts airflow
Understanding Pressure (The "David Bowie" Connection)
Static pressure vs. velocity pressure vs. pressure loss vs. external static pressure
Why pressure isn't the "bad guy"—friction is
The asteroid analogy: how friction affects airflow like atmospheric entry
Visual Demonstrations
The "used car lot" inflatable tube demo showing static and velocity pressure balance
Bathroom scale and crate analogy for understanding energy transfer
How energy gets "used" vs "wasted" in duct systems
Measuring Airflow
The 40¢ manometer: building pressure measurement tools with basic tubing
Why we focus on static pressure measurements in residential HVAC
Pitot tube basics and velocity pressure measurement challenges
Residential vs Commercial Design Philosophy
Why residential design works "backwards" from commercial
The myth of the 0.08 "magic number" and why there isn't one universal answer
How to calculate proper friction rates based on available static pressure
Real-World Applications
Why 0.1 inches of water column per 100 feet doesn't work in modern systems
The impact of modern filters, coils, and unit locations on system design
Central air vs "corner air"—the importance of equipment placement
Modern Challenges
How today's tighter coils, better filters, and larger homes have changed the game
Why oversized equipment on undersized ducts seems to "work" (but shouldn't)
The importance of using tools like TrueFlow grids instead of relying on customer satisfaction
Key Takeaways:
Duct sizing is geometric, not linear—small changes have big impacts
Friction is your enemy, not pressure
Modern residential systems need larger ducts than traditional 0.1 sizing allows
Equipment placement dramatically affects duct sizing requirements
Proper measurement and testing beats customer complaints as success metrics
About the Presenter:
Alex Meaney brings years of experience as head trainer for Wrightsoft and a unique perspective with his background in English, communications, and philosophy. His approach focuses on understanding the "why" behind HVAC principles rather than just memorizing formulas.
Perfect for HVAC technicians, installers, and anyone looking to understand the fundamental principles behind proper airflow design and troubleshooting.
Find out more at: hvacrschool.com/symposium
Read all the tech tips, take the quizzes, and find our handy calculators at hvacrschool.com or the HVAC School Mobile App on the Google Play Store (hvacrschool.com/play-store) or App Store (hvacrschool.com/app-store).
