Even the most technologically advanced HVAC system cannot efficiently heat or cool your house if the design of your ductwork is inadequate or ineffective. All of the conditioned air that controls your indoor comfort must travel through the ductwork, which means there are multiple possibilities for energy loss and efficiency reduction throughout the distribution network. Here are three important efficiency factors to consider when designing or reconfiguring your ductwork. Tending to these issues will save both energy and money.
- Sizing: The ductwork must be the proper size to effectively carry all the air that heats or cools your home. The network must not be too big, or air and energy can be lost. On the other hand, ducts that are too small can cause noise in the ductwork, reduce system efficiency, and overwork the unit.
- Configuration and placement: Use a simple, common configuration for your ductwork system, such as “radial” or “trunk and branch” designs. In radial design, the main HVAC unit is placed in the center, while ducts spread outward like spokes in a wheel. Trunk and branch designs usually have one large duct extending off the main HVAC unit, with smaller supply and return ducts attached to the larger one. When installing ductwork, make sure it’s routed through areas of your home that already receive conditioned air, where possible. Ductwork in unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, exterior walls or unfinished rooms can lose a substantial amount of energy.
- Sealing and insulation: Ducts must be thoroughly sealed and insulated to prevent air leaks through gaps at connections and energy loss through the metal of the ductwork itself. Check all sections to ensure they fit together snugly. Seal connections with the specialized sealant mastic or with metal tape. Insulate ducts with rigid fiber board or fiberglass roll insulation.
Ace Hardware Home Services Heating and Air Conditioning has provided heating and cooling services to Dayton and the surrounding area for the past 30 years. Contact us today for more information on the design of your ductwork and for help with design factors that will keep your HVAC system working efficiently.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork design and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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