Efficient Ductwork Design

efficient ductwork design

Efficient ductwork design and a proper quality ductwork installation is essential for an efficient HVAC system. A properly designed ductwork system will account for your home size, and layout to provide you with a comfortable home efficiently to save you as much as possible on your energy bills. A duct system that has not been properly designed will take away from your comfort level and can lead to excess money spent through inefficiency and poor indoor air quality.  If you have uneven temperatures in your home, unexplained high heating, or cooling costs, excess indoor humidity, or noisy airflow they are all signs of bad ductwork design or low-quality installation. Below we discuss best practices for an efficient ductwork design.

Avoid Sharp Bends

One of the most important aspects of ductwork design that you want to keep in mind is to avoid sharp turns in your ductwork or 90-degree angles, straight lines are best for effective air flow. Too sharp or too many bends decrease the amount of air that actually reach the areas of your home that need to be cooled or heated. Y joints are also a good option, these types of joints will allow for air to move more freely while reducing pressure on the joints.

Central Location

Ideally your air handler should be located centrally in your home to minimize long duct runs. This minimizes the opportunity for air leakage within the duct system and therefore increasing energy efficiency and performance. Just like with sharp bends and turns, unnecessary long spans create air friction within the ducts decreasing its performance. Best practice is to incorporate short straight ducts for the most efficient method to deliver heated and cooled air throughout the home.

Ensure Proper Ductwork Sealing

Every place where there is a duct connection, there is a potential for an air leak. It is best to use as few separate pieces as possible.  Most local building codes enforce a maximum amount of air leakage allowed for new ductwork or when upgrading your current duct system. If ductwork is not properly sealed as much as 20 percent of conditioned air can be lost without reaching the interior of the home where it is needed leading to high energy loss. To minimize this issue, proper joint sealing is critically important. Ducts should be sealed with mastic sealant and sheet metal screws, never with standard duct tape. Also, use conditioned routes for the ducts as much as possible. If ducts run through unconditioned spaces, they must be insulated to prevent energy loss.

Types of Ductwork

Depending on your local building codes you may be able to use flexible or metal. Use only approved ductwork material either fabricated or industry-standard sheet metal, or approved flex duct. Furthermore, ensure to use appropriately sized ductwork that is not too small for your HVAC system.

Ensure Correct Return

Just as equally important as the delivery of air is the return system to provide healthy indoor air quality. Return ductwork is responsible for returning stale air back to the unit to be reconditioned to allow for a continuous flow of fresh air. Ideally each room that has a supply vent should also have a return vent. Not including enough return vents in your design is a common ductwork design flow that can lead to diminished comfort.

Contact LA Construction, Heating and Air

Give LA Construction, Heating and Air if you are looking to replace your ductwork. These are all good practices to keep in mind for efficient ductwork design but it is still best to consult with a licensed contractor.  Keep in mind the drawbacks of poor ductwork design such as hot and cold spots, extra strain on your HVAC system, and poor indoor air quality. Give us a call today or contact us online we are here to help you.

Efficient Ductwork Design Related Posts:

New In Our Blog

Read More

Why DIY AC Repair Is Not a Good Idea

When it comes to air conditioning repairs you are better off avoiding DIY solutions. Instead of risking costly or irreparable damage, contact LA Construction, Heating and Air we can ensure the job is done right.

What Is EER2?

EER is an acronym that stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio. Starting with January 1, 2023 there was a significant change to HVAC minimum efficiency requirements across the United States. EER will not be the standard anymore, every AC will now receive a EER2 rating.

Can you Run Your AC and Heat at the Same Time?

It may seem strange to think about using both your AC and heater on the same day, but if you are mindful and follow proper maintenance it is possible without added wear and tear while still conserving energy. At LA Construction, Heating and Air we understand that indoor comfort is important year-round.