Learning About the Types of Ducts

Along with any HVAC system, you must also have an effective duct network. The ductwork carries heated or cooled air from your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump to the inside of your home. The following list describes a few of the types of ducts available to you for your HVAC installation or replacement.

• Stainless steel ducts — Stainless steel ducts are very common and can often be seen in homes and commercial applications where larger ducts are required. The metal is bent into a round or rectangular shape and is installed in sections. Each section must be fitted tightly to adjoining sections, and all connections have to be sealed with metal tape or mastic to prevent air leaks. This type of ductwork is usually insulated to conserve energy and to ensure the heated or cooled air traveling through the ducts maintains its temperature.
• Flexible nonmetallic ducts — Flexible nonmetallic ducts are made from a long, continuous coil of wire resembling a large spring. The wire is covered with a tough plastic that forms the tube of the ducts. This type of ductwork is easy to use in applications where there is not enough room for larger stainless steel ducts. It is also convenient for places where there may be lots of turns and bends in the duct network.
• Fiberglass board ducts — Fiberglass board is made from compressed fiberglass with a moisture-resistant foil layer on the outside. The inside may have a lining that prevents small particles of fiberglass from coming loose. For HVAC applications where cost is an issue, fiberglass board ducts are often the most inexpensive of the duct options.
• Building cavities — Sometimes building cavities, such as crawl spaces or areas between walls, are pressed into service as ducts, but this is not recommended since they can easily develop extremely wasteful air leaks.

The HVAC professionals at CCAC are Constantly Concerned About Customers. Contact us today for more information on the types of ducts that are available for your HVAC installation or replacement project and for expert help choosing the right kind of ductwork material for your needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.

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