Everything You Need to Know About Ductwork
Most HVAC systems use ductwork to help keep you comfortable in your home and business. What are ducts and why are they important? In this short guide, we'll go over the components of your ductwork, how it's installed and designed, and how important it is to keep it clean.
What Are Air Ducts?
Ducts help circulate conditioned air throughout your Radford house or business. They are used in both heating and cooling and consist of a variety of parts.
Duct pipes and trunks make up the bulk of your ductwork. The trunk serves as the main artery connecting to your air conditioner or heating system. Pipes go off from the trunk to facilitate the distribution of the conditioned air.
There are many transitions within ductwork. Take-offs, turning vanes, cleats, specialized connectors and angled boots all help provide smooth transitions for the air.
There are two plenums within your ductwork. One is the supply plenum and the other is the return plenum. The supply plenum distributes the conditioned air through the ducts. Then, the air comes back through the return plenum. It's then either vented outside or recycled back into the system.
Flues carry exhaust from your ducts and bring it outside. This helps keep you safe from toxic fumes and keeps your air quality at its best.
The air handler is what moves the conditioned air into your ductwork by using a blower fan and filter
Drain pans and lines help remove excess moisture and prevent mold from growing in your ducts.
What Materials Are Ducts Made From?
Duct pipes and trunks are usually made from galvanized steel. In places that need more flexibility, flexible aluminum is often used. The majority of ductwork is made of galvanized steel because it is strong and rigid as well as rust- and mold-resistant. It needs periodic cleaning to prevent the buildup of dust and other debris.
Some ducts are fiberboard, which consists of sheets of fiberglass bonded to foil to add insulation. They are less expensive than sheet metal and can fit into tighter spaces. In some climates, they can contribute to mold and mildew growth, somewhat limiting their use.
Flexible ducts are steel spring coils covered in plastic. They are less expensive than rigid ducts and easier to install. They can fit in tight spaces and are lightweight. They are, however, more prone to punctures and kinks.
Why Design and Correct Installation Matter
Correctly designed ductwork will be more efficient and save you money. It will have balanced air distribution and better airflow rates. Proper ductwork design includes using the correct location, sealing and insulation.
Ducts should not have to travel too far between your HVAC system and your rooms — a straightforward route is always best. Having registers or vents in each room helps with efficiency, as air doesn't need to travel further to reach those spaces.
Improperly installed ducts can cause lots of problems. If your ducts are too big or too small for your space, your HVAC system will not work as efficiently. This can cause your energy bills to rise, and you may not get the proper heating or cooling through the vents.
If you have old ductwork, the seals may have weakened over time; in turn, this can lead to leaks, which will allow air to escape into unwanted spaces. Air leaking from your ducts lessens the efficiency of your HVAC system and costs you more money.
There are several signs to watch for that can indicate your ducts aren’t working correctly:
Poor indoor air quality
Hot and cold spots
Loud noises
Little or no airflow
Keeping Your Ducts Clean
New River Heating and Air uses Modernistic’s cleaning system to clean your ducts. Ducts can get clogged with dust, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. We suck out all of this debris by using negative pressure and collect and dispose of it. This will help ease the symptoms of asthma and allergies and enhance the quality of the air inside your home.
Our NATE-certified technicians can handle your ductwork installation and cleaning. We have been in business for almost 40 years and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We are a BBB-accredited business and continually strive to improve ourselves and the services we offer. We can help with all your HVAC needs as well as indoor air quality and water heaters. Let our company help keep you and your family comfortable and safe!
Contact New River Heating and Air for more information about ductwork and our other services in Radford today!