So you just bought a good HVAC system for your new home. In order to use it effectively, you’ll need a well-designed network of ducts to ensure the smooth, reliable distribution of heating or cooling energy throughout your living space. HVAC duct installation may seem like it would be a straightforward project for a handy homeowner, but nothing could be farther from the truth. To avoid errors that will delay the work and add to your overall costs, you’ll need to work with an actual HVAC professional. This way, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing the HVAC duct installation will be completed with satisfactory results.
Here Air Products & Services, a trusted heating and air conditioning replacement company in the area, shares some of the best practices observed by professionals to ensure a worry-free HVAC duct installation.
Keep correct placement in mind. When talking about duct design, it’s important that the system is placed in such a way that the ducts won’t have to travel very far to reach their designated areas. Otherwise, cold or hot spots are more likely to develop in those same areas. It’s also vital that the ducts aren’t exposed; they should be placed behind walls and ceilings or under the floors so they’re not affected by extreme temperatures.
Use insulation. In cases where keeping the ducts hidden isn’t possible (which is common with HVAC ducts running through an unconditioned basement, attic or garage) the HVAC professional should wrap them in insulation to reduce the likelihood of energy loss.
Consider the size of the HVAC ducts. Proper sizing is another vital factor in duct installation. If the ducts are too small, they’ll be more resistant to airflow. On the other hand, oversized HVAC ducts will be ineffective at heating or cooling distribution because of low air velocity. To accurately choose the correct duct size, your HVAC expert will need to conduct a room-by-room calculation to determine your home’s heating and cooling loads.
Choose a good duct material. Depending on your budget and needs, your HVAC professional may choose sheet metal, fiberglass, polyurethane or a flexible non-metallic material to design your ducts. Each option varies in durability and energy performance. Galvanized steel or aluminum, for instance, is incredibly strong but a bit difficult to insulate. Fiberglass comes insulated and is easier to cut and seal, but the material is susceptible to breakdowns. Non-metallics, such as PVC, plastic and polyester, are flexible but are prone to tearing. You can explore your options with your HVAC technician and have them help you decide.
Seal the ducts properly. Leaky, uninsulated ducts can cause poor indoor air quality and significant energy loss. To prevent this, HVAC experts attach duct sections using screws and seal joints and seams with fiberglass mesh and mastic. They’ll also test for duct tightness to ensure that conditioned air won’t leak out via the seams.
Use fewer seams. Air leakage is a common issue in HVAC ducts. The fewer the seams in the ductwork, the better. That’s why HVAC experts make it a point to use longer single pieces and as few connecting pieces as possible. By doing so, the likelihood of duct seals breaking and blowing valuable heating or cooling energy behind walls and crawl spaces is reduced considerably.
Keep the airflow balanced. Maintaining neutral air pressure within the house is crucial to HVAC performance. Your HVAC professional makes this possible by placing the appropriate number of supply and return registers in each room and ensuring the return flow has the same airflow capacity as the supply.
Air Products & Services takes all this into account when designing and installing your HVAC ducts. Poor results will never be a concern when you choose us to handle this task. We combine unrivaled HVAC workmanship with customer-focused service, allowing for a positive and rewarding experience you won’t find anywhere else.
You can always trust Air Products & Services to do an exemplary job at HVAC duct installation, but this service is not the only reason we remain one of the leading HVAC companies in Southern California. When you choose us for all your HVAC needs, you can expect that:
When you choose Air Products & Services for your HVAC duct installation, heating repair or AC troubleshooting system needs, you can be sure the work will be done in a timely, efficient manner. No costly mistakes or callbacks – just superior workmanship backed by decades of industry experience. We proudly serve Tarzana, CA, and all areas in Greater Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley. Give us a call today at (818) 989-2030 or fill out this contact form to schedule your HVAC evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!