Why Your High-Efficiency HVAC System Is Only As Good As Your Ductwork

A new high-efficiency HVAC system cannot live up to its potential if you fail to pay enough attention to your ductwork design and installation.  Because it’s responsible for distributing the air generated by your cooling and heating system, ductwork is just as important as the air conditioner or furnace in keeping your home comfortable.

Seals between ducts need to be airtight to prevent air from escaping. They also need to be free of holes or cracks that will allow air to be wasted in areas like the attic.  Old ducts should be repaired using a duct sealant, a putty-like material that’s spread over the duct’s joints and seams.  After it hardens, conditioned air should not be able to leak out.  You can lose up to 20 percent of your conditioned air through leaks.

The actual layout of your ductwork is important as well.  A room-by-room load calculation needs to be performed so that the proper size HVAC system and ducts can be installed.  An HVAC contractor can help you determine these things so you get the most efficient system for your house.  Ductwork that’s too large cannot provide proper airflow and will keep the house less comfortable than it could be and ductwork that is too small will restrict the blower and cause mechanical problems.

If the air cannot flow through your house properly, cold and warm areas will be felt in your home.  The location of supply and return ducts can greatly affect this.  If air cannot circulate freely throughout the house, it will find ways to seep outside, overworking your HVAC system.  This leads to increased wear and a shorter lifespan, not to mention higher electric bills.

Hiring a reliable HVAC contractor is important so you can be sure the job is done right the first time.  Much of the ductwork becomes inaccessible in walls or ceilings after the installation is done, and you don’t want to be losing air to unnecessary areas due to shoddy workmanship.

For more information on how your ducts affect your HVAC system, contact us at Mathews CCAC Air Conditioning today.  We proudly serve the Corpus Christi area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Mathews CCAC Air Conditioning and Heating services Corpus Christi, TX. To get started, check out our website.