Importance of Properly Sized HVAC Ductwork

Using an HVAC ductwork system is a great way to keep your home comfortable

If you are thinking of really investing in a new HVAC system in your home or property, then you have probably spent a long while thinking about whether to choose ducted or ductless, and settled on ducts. This is a good decision as although they are trickier to install and cause more disturbance, they have some great long-term advantages. There is no doubt that the installation process is more complex and longer, and the cost of a ducted HVAC unit is more expensive initially. However, a ducted HVAC unit once installed will run quietly and invisibly. You really won’t notice it at all. These systems are great because they will be able to control the climate of your entire home or property evenly, without any need for separate units in each room. As well as keeping the temperature well regulated they can also improve the overall air quality and keep your family healthy.

There are lots of things to consider when installing ductwork

It is true that the installation process can be difficult and is full of various different decisions that need to be made. One of these is about the size of the HVAC ductwork. Quite simply, if your contractor fails to correctly size the ducts then your investment will be completely useless. Ducts must be well designed and sized in order to give you the right air flow throughout your home. If not, you could see really high ongoing operating costs for your system, and a real issue with the temperature and comfort levels in your home. In short, the system won’t work well and it will cost you more. Ducts that are sized too small won’t be able to carry the amount of air you need to keep your home hot or cold, making them noisy. And ducts that are sized too big will waste both air and energy, thus costing you more.

Top tips to ensure your HVAC ductwork is properly sized

Firstly, you must make sure your contractor is using the accepted industry standards to size your ductwork. There is a system called manual J which is a method that has been developed in order to correctly size ductwork. Your contractor should adhere to this method. Following the manual J they should be looking at air flow needs, noise factors, retrofitting the duct’s design, sealing the unit and insulating where needed. Make sure that your contractor is a real expert in ductwork and in sizing ducts. Before you hire them, ask them about previous projects they have undertaken and ask them to tell you about their experience. They should be able to plan how much space your ductwork will need in order to deliver optimum heating and cooling. Ultimately, having properly sized ductwork is one of the most important factors in ensuring your HVAC system will work correctly. Therefore, you should spend a lot of time and effort on this area and make sure it is always 100% properly sized.