What Goes Into Expert Ductwork Design

Once you select the proper size for your HVAC system, you must also consider the ductwork.

The Purpose of Ducts

Air conditioners and heaters need a certain amount of airflow to do their jobs correctly. The required airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute, or CFM. The purpose of the ducts in your home is to provide this air flow. Ducts return unconditioned air to the HVAC unit where it is cooled or heated. That air is then distributed back into the house.

The Importance of Expert Ductwork Design

Your ducts are just as important as your HVAC system in efficiently heating and cooling your home. If the system of ducts is not designed well, if it installed incorrectly, or if the ducts are not sealed properly, the heating and air conditioning costs of a home could be increased by as much as 40 percent. Any of those factors could also shorten the life of your HVAC system.

Design Tips

A contractor will take several specific steps when designing your duct system.

• The heating and cooling needs of the house must be calculated and the correct HVAC system size must be chosen for the home.
• A scale drawing should be made of the home to show the placement of the HVAC system and the registers, along with the air flow and location of the ducts.
• The size of the ducts is determined based on the size of the blower of the system, how big each room is, and the required air flow.
• The layout of the home is also considered in expert ductwork design. Ductwork usually has a main trunk and then branches of ducts off of that. Each section must be sized appropriately for the room(s) it is feeding.

The most important part of designing ductwork is to ensure that each room receives the proper amount of airflow. The ducts also need to be sealed with aluminum tape at the seams when exposed to areas with unconditioned air.

Working with a Professional

Sizing ductwork is not something you can do yourself. For residents in Fayetteville, NC, the experienced professionals at Blanton’s Heating & A/C can help.