Commercial Test & Balance (TAB) FAQs
Common Questions About HVAC Verification, Code Compliance, & Airflow
General TAB Services
What is Commercial Test and Balance (TAB)? Commercial Test and Balance (TAB) is the certified process of measuring and adjusting your HVAC system to match the mechanical engineer's design. It ensures your heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are delivering the correct airflow (CFM) to every room.
At Northwest Energy LLC, we provide independent, third-party verification to ensure your system is compliant with ASHRAE standards and Local Energy Codes in Northern Illinois.
Why is TAB required for my building? TAB is not just a maintenance task; it is often a legal requirement for your Certificate of Occupancy.
Code Compliance: Municipalities like Chicago, Naperville, and Oak Park strictly require a certified TAB report to pass final mechanical inspections.
System Integrity: It proves that the contractor installed the equipment correctly.
Energy Efficiency: An unbalanced system wastes energy by over-working fans and compressors.
Occupancy Permits & Inspections
Do I need a TAB report to get my Certificate of Occupancy? Yes. In most Chicago suburbs, a certified TAB report is a mandatory checklist item for your final building inspection. You cannot receive your keys until a third-party agency (like us) verifies that your ventilation rates meet the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Which cities require a TAB report for inspection? While codes change frequently, we currently see strict enforcement (where you will fail inspection without a report) in:
Wheaton & Oak Park
Arlington Heights
City of Chicago (Department of Buildings)
How fast can I get a report? We specialize in Same-Day Reporting for urgent tenant build-outs. Once we complete the site visit, we typically generate the certified PDF report within 24 hours, ready for immediate submission to the village building department.
Troubleshooting & Comfort Issues
What is "Negative Building Pressure" and why is it bad? Negative Pressure occurs when your building exhausts more air than it brings in. This creates a vacuum effect that pulls unconditioned outdoor air into your space.
Symptoms: Entrance doors that are hard to open ("ghost doors"), drafts near windows, and sewer gases/odors lingering in dining areas.
The Fix: We balance your Makeup Air Units (MAU) to slightly pressurize the building.
Why is my restaurant kitchen so hot/smoky? This is usually an imbalance between your Kitchen Hood Exhaust and your Make-Up Air. If the exhaust fan is pulling out more air than the makeup unit replaces, the hood loses capture velocity, and smoke spills into the kitchen. We balance the "Air Budget" of the restaurant to ensure safety and comfort.
Can TAB fix "Hot and Cold Spots" in my office? Yes. Inconsistent temperatures are rarely an equipment failure; they are usually an airflow distribution issue. We adjust the manual dampers and VAV boxes to force more conditioned air into the hot rooms and reduce flow to the cold rooms (Zoning), ensuring even comfort for all employees.
Pricing & Specific Industries
How much does a Commercial Test and Balance cost? We offer Standardized Pricing based on the number of units and grilles.
Free Quote: Send your mechanical drawings to Northwestenergyllc@gmail.com for a flat-rate proposal today.
What are the requirements for a Nail Salon? Illinois and Chicago codes (IMC Section 502.20) require a specific 50 CFM Certification for every manicure station to remove chemical fumes. We provide the certified report required for your salon business license.
Process & Tools
What tools do you use for Air Balancing? We use certified, calibrated instrumentation including:
Capture Hoods: To measure air volume (CFM) at grilles.
Manometers: To measure static pressure and building pressure.
Tachometers: To measure fan rotation speeds (RPM).
How often should a commercial building be balanced?
New Construction: Required immediately upon completion for occupancy.
Renovations: Required anytime you move walls or change the floor plan.
HVAC Replacement: Recommended whenever a new Rooftop Unit (RTU) is installed to verify it matches the ductwork.
Glossary of Common HVAC Terms
(Use this section to understand your report)
TAB (Test and Balance): The process of measuring and adjusting air and water flow rates in HVAC systems to meet design specifications.
CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute): The measurement of air volume velocity. This is the standard unit we use to balance supply and return vents.
RTU (Rooftop Unit): A self-contained HVAC unit found on the roof of most commercial buildings in Chicago
MAU (Make-Up Air Unit): A unit designed to bring in fresh outside air to replace air exhausted by kitchen hoods or fans. Critical for preventing Negative Pressure.
OA (Outside Air): The percentage of fresh air brought into a building to dilute contaminants and meet ASHRAE 62.1 standards.
Static Pressure: The resistance to airflow in your ductwork. High static pressure blows motors; low static pressure causes poor airflow.