Well, my tenure at Melink is coming to an end as I prepare to return back to the University of Cincinnati to complete my degree in Mechanical Engineering. As I look back on the experience, I can say that I have learned an incredible amount about the HVAC industry and, more specifically, our role in the niche market of air test and balance.
Before my time with Melink, the thought of air balancing never really crossed my mind. Although I was unaware of this process, the symptoms of unbalanced buildings were always right in front of my eyes. Such examples include the blast of air coming from opening the door of a building, droplets of water falling from ductwork, uncomfortably humid buildings, or difficulty opening doors. These all too common symptoms seem to plague buildings and stores across the world.
As I stepped into my Co-op role, I had the chance to learn about these issues and how we solve them. The simple solution is to provide a test and balance. While many construction projects typically require a test and balance, conditions still change over time and, in other cases, a proper balance may have never been completed in the first place. This is where Melink comes into the picture.
My day-to-day work revolved around providing T&B services to customers, whether they were current national account customers, developing customers, general contractors, facility managers, etc. When looking into balancing projects, my role was to address the scope of work needed and discuss any issues on site, so we can provide the greatest value during our visit. This process involves examining mechanical documents, determining the equipment on site, and estimating how long it will take a technician to perform the job.
Despite that fact that T&B had never crossed my mind until I joined Melink, I can now say that I am a firm believer in the importance of this process for both HVAC equipment and building health. I will never be able to walk into a building again without taking a look around at the mechanical systems and thinking to myself, “Hmm, this place could really benefit from a proper air balance!"
Contributed by Zac Davis