Vent Cap Systems for Duct Testing

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Permalink Reply by Glen Gallo on February 11, 2012 at 6:01am

I have the product

pros

fast set up, fast break down, no tape

cons loose registers still need tape the cap depends on the tightness of register, over time elastic band looses strength causing seal to be compromised, will not work on ceiling ducts, can not be used as pressure pan as shown( product not stiff enough for this application) 

The above shows more negatives than positives however the time saved when testing is huge. The loose register is not a huge deal as I have a screwdriver with me anyway, some registers cannot be tightened however do to the box ( not vent caps fault)

I wish the band was a bit more robust but for the most part they have worked well.

the cost seems a bit high for what you get a plastic tray with foam seal and elastic band hook and and a spring button like on camping gear. But the product is well designed and works 90 percent of the time for what it is intended.

The speed is what makes the units valuable

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Permalink Reply by Corey Breed on February 11, 2012 at 1:07pm

Glen,

Vent Caps were originally designed to work on negative pressure testing only.  I'm BPI Certified (Teaches Negative Pressure) and the Austin mandated audit requires negative pressure testing.  You've obviously have these original versions.  I still contend that negative pressure testing is the wisest way to test - I've seen a lot more balloons pop from over-inflation than I have under-inflation - however, I discovered a lot of people testing with positive pressure including HERS Raters, and the CA Title 24 test.  As a result I have designed a new cord fastener to replace the "camping gear" type fastener originally included.  These machined aluminum plungers, combined with a new rigid cord, dramatically increase the strength of hold as can be viewed in the first video below.  Conversion kits are available on the website to convert the original "black buttoned" versions into the new "aluminum buttoned" versions.  The originals also do not work with the new extension tool.  The second video shows a new improved Vent Cap sealing a 9' ceiling register without tape or a ladder.  The tool, attachable to any standard painter's pole, allows you to place and remove Vent Caps without lugging a ladder around.  (The tool is also included in the conversion kit, BTW.)  I'm working on new, higher quality videos (without my gut) and a couple of new tools for return air grills as well.  You can join the mailing list here to be notified when they're ready, and you can also see the growing list of testimonials here.  Glen, if you like the old ones you're going to LOVE the new ones.  I'm always available to answer any questions via phone or email.

Vent Cap Systems - Extension Tool from Corey Breed on Vimeo.

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Permalink Reply by William H Nickerson on February 16, 2012 at 11:52am

I,m not gonna buy nothing from a guy who wears a pink polo shirt.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Breed on February 16, 2012 at 5:50pm

For the record, it's a white shirt with a burnt orange polo.  Hook 'Em!!

CB

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Permalink Reply by Corey Breed on February 11, 2012 at 1:09pm

Growing list of testimonials can be seen here.  There's also a 30 day money back guarantee.  If you don't like them, send them back and I'll immediately credit your card.  No risk to start saving time, money, and a boat load of frustration.  See response to Glen below with some links and videos.  Call me if you have any questions.

CB

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Permalink Reply by Allan G Hurst on February 11, 2012 at 3:52pm

Stefan:

I have this product and used it for the first time yesterday. Small home with floor registers.(10)  The registers were loose so I removed registers and attached the hooks to sheet metal screws at the boot connection. Thought to ck my watch, 8 minutes total. Within 15 minutes had R/A covered DB connected and ready to test.

Now consider ceiling registers at 10-12 feet in a room full of antique furniture. No ladders and no accidents.

Allan G Hurst       AGHcoEnergy

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Permalink Reply by Rick Stepp on February 13, 2012 at 7:39am

All, I ordered a set of 20 of these at the end of January and tested five systems (positive pressure) the first day. I had the following comments for Corey and he responded rather quickly to the comments.

"I wanted to follow up with you regarding the vent caps that arrived this week.  I tested 5 systems on Thursday and had some initial difficulty.  I have outlined my concerns/issues below:

1.  It would be nice to have a short video of the use of the tool with close ups of the operations & a spoken walk thru.  I watched the YouTube video but some of operation was screened or too far away in the shots.

2.  It would be nice to have either an adjustable cap, or the option of a longer cap option.  The systems tested utilized multiple 8" return ducts, and the caps were a tad short not creating a seal to the ceiling on the ends.

3.  Of the 20 vent caps ordered, 4 of the "hooks" either permanently twisted or started to tear after the first two systems were tested. Is there a better hook that can be used?  I noticed on one of your videos there was a metal hook.

4.  This is a picky item, it would be nice if the cap with the pressure tap was more easily distinguished. This could be a unique color cord, different plastic color, different color foam gasket or other easily identifiable markings.

Overall, the system does save resources and allowed me to leave the 22' extension ladder in the car.  I found that the 4' ladder was still required, to attach/remove the vent caps in a more expedient manner than the vent cap tool to standard 9' ceilings.  I estimate that these five systems would have used about $25 in duct mask."

 

With his comments and more time, I will be more proficient at installing these at 20 to 22' with the tool and extension pole.

Rick Stepp

GreenHome Georgia

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Permalink Reply by Paul D McGovern on February 16, 2012 at 2:19pm

ordered one freebie to try - used only under negative pressure -  smoke stick showed enough leakage to cause concern (couldn't snug tight enough due to friction hold ... believe the best are pole mounted devices .. DIY

 

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Permalink Reply by Ed Minch on February 16, 2012 at 3:56pm

Paul

What do you mean by DIY?  Can you put a flow hood over the vent cap during a test to put a number to the leakage?  Is it the type of wx strip used?  Was it at the corners?  All around?  Something like this sounds like it could be made to work.

Ed Minch

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Permalink Reply by Paul D McGovern on February 17, 2012 at 4:38pm

hey ed ... the diy was directed toward making your own boot/vent stops ... easy enough to do ... for rough in, ventless and with vent ... I only had one but experienced leakage from that ... the pole mounted had no leakage as you are able to snug tight ... vent cap will only snug as tight as friction will allow ... vent cap is a great idea but needs tweaking ... in the meantime, we have made all our own devices.

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Permalink Reply by Corey Breed on February 23, 2012 at 7:45am

Did your sample have a black button or a silver button?  As you can see from the video above the strength of the "friction hold" is now in excess of what's necessary.

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Permalink Reply by Stefan Peter-Contesse on February 16, 2012 at 6:26pm

Thanks for the info everyone. I appreciate it.

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