About NBC

In today’s increasingly energy-conscious world, optimum performance of environmental systems in commercial buildings is more critical than ever. Reduced energy consumption, combined with greater comfort and safety, rely on systems that are accurately and expertly tested, balanced, and commissioned by professionals with the skill and integrity required to do the job right.

NBC-affiliated firms in the U.S. and around the world provide unparalleled testing, adjusting, and balancing services on commercial air and hydronic HVACR systems on projects of all sizes and scope. NBC Certified Supervisors and Technicians also provide expert system commissioning and re-commissioning. (Click here to find NBC Certified Professionals in your area.)

NBC has established and maintains stringent standards that must be met by those seeking to qualify for certification. Engineers, contractors, building owners, and property managers can be assured every NBC-certified professional is required to complete a rigorous training program, and to successfully pass a comprehensive examination process prior to receiving his or her credentials.

NBC’s Practical Procedures provide a comprehensive and systematic guide to performing each of the components of a testing and balancing project. Combined with the NBC Code of Professional Conduct, these procedures ensure consistency of performance and quality of results that customers demand and deserve. (Click here to view samples of NBC procedures.)

NBC History

NBC was established in 2006 as the commercial-industrial division of National Comfort Institute, Inc. (NCI). NCI was established in 1993 and began training HVAC contractors, service technicians, installers, and engineers in TAB and system diagnostics. Initially focusing on residential and light commercial systems, NCI has trained and certified nearly 20,000 people in the U.S. and 10 other countries. With the success of NCI came the demand for a higher level of TAB training and certification.

To meet these needs, the National Balancing Institute (NBI) was established and subsequently evolved into NBC.

Meet the NBC Team

Rob Falke, NBC Chairman entered the Testing and Balancing Industry in 1987 after working in his family’s HVAC business for 15 years. In 1992 he became a certified NEBB supervisor and he founded a TAB company currently known as National Balancing Service. Over the next 10 years his company balanced hundreds of residential, light commercial and industrial systems.

Not happy with the typical “match the numbers” balancing that is still prevalent in the industry, Rob decided to make it his life’s work to develop a new solutions-based approach to testing and balancing. In 1993 he co-founded NCI where he is currently president.

Rob is a widely recognized industry speaker, trainer, and writer, and has spoken at many industry events including Focus On The Future, The Design/Build Seminar, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, HVAC Comfortech, Affordable Comfort and many other contractor meetings. He has sat on and is currently involved in a number of industry advisory boards and committees, including the NATE test construction committee.

A true visionary in the field of air diagnostics and air balancing, Rob is also a regular contributing author to Contracting Business Magazine with a biweekly online column in addition to writing articles in the magazine on a frequent basis.

Jeff Sturgeon, NBC Training Supervisor - Southern California: Jeff got his start in the HVAC industry by attending UTI (Universal Technical Institute) in Phoenix, Arizona. Throughout his career, Jeff installed and serviced residential, light commercial, commercial, and industrial HVAC/R systems. He also worked for an HVAC controls manufacturer, where he was responsible for engineering, designing, building and installing control panels for a variety of applications. Jeff also held the position of regulatory compliance auditor for the E.P.A. (Environmental Protection Agency) and the N.R.C. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission), performing compliance audits at military and government contractor sites.

Jeff has earned many HVAC certifications from manufacturers and organizations such as NCI, NATE and IHACI. Over the past decade, he has been actively involved in the field in many Southern California Edison Energy Efficiency programs, including the Residential and Commercial Quality Installation and Quality Maintenance program where he was responsible for the design, installation, service and commissioning of over 1500 HVAC systems.