Testing, adjusting, and balancing of environmental systems is the art of compelling the system to perform within the design parameters. Basically, an environmental system is designed by an Engineer to meet the requirements of an owner. A Contractor installs the system in accordance with the specified design of the Engineer. Finally, the Balancer is required to test, adjust, and balance the completed system. It is the total responsibility of the Balancer to make the system perform; or report to the Engineer why it cannot perform and what must be done to bring it within the design parameters.

This paper is designed to be helpful in the art of balancing air and hydronic systems.Obviously there are many ramifications in specialized systems which thispaper does not and can not cover.