By Anne Fonda
HVAC ductwork is a series of rigid and flexible tubes that carry air from standard ducted heating and cooling systems to all parts of a home. It is usually made of sheet metal (galvanized steel or aluminum), or other materials such as fiberglass.
The ducts are typically attached to air vents or registers at each end that allow the flow of heated or cooled air into the living spaces. Without effective air ducts, your HVAC systems would not be able to do their job properly and efficiently.
Watch this video on how HVAC systems work to learn more details on heating and cooling systems, ductwork’s role in the process, and how you can achieve optimal comfort in your home.
Ductwork is typically located in the attic, basement, or crawl space of a home and sometimes it can be found in walls. It’s important to make sure that your ductwork is properly sealed and insulated so that air does not escape from the system before getting delivered to your living spaces.
Your home’s air ducts act as the HVAC system’s circulatory system. Much as your veins and arteries circulate blood in your body, supply ducts push conditioned air into your home, while the return air ducts pull unconditioned air into your furnace or air handler.
The supply ducts end at a floor, wall, or ceiling register. You will feel hot or cold air coming from these registers. The return air ducts connect to return air vents located on your walls.
To help ensure proper airflow, don’t block HVAC vents or registers with furniture, curtains, or covers.
Having proper and correctly sized ductwork allows for better airflow throughout your home and helps increase energy efficiency while lowering energy costs. A properly designed air duct system also reduces noise levels and helps maintain even temperatures between rooms.
Additionally, having well-maintained ducts can improve your indoor air quality as they help keep any pollen or dust particles so they can be captured by the filters and contained instead of circulating through your home.
Air duct installation typically occurs when you’re building a new home or replacing old ducts and HVAC vents. It is important to ensure air ducts and duct vents are properly sized, located, and securely mounted so they will function optimally without any air leaks. This means relying on qualified technicians for ductwork replacement or new installation.
If you have an existing system with inadequate ductwork insulation, energy loss and inefficient airflow can occur, leading to higher energy bills. It is best to have a professional inspect and assess your duct system for proper installation or repairs.
You might also choose to update and modify your existing air ducts and vents. You might want to do this during a heat pump system installation or as part of upgrading to a zoned HVAC system.
Ducts come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their intended purpose. Commonly used types of ductwork include round metal ducts, rectangular metal ducts, insulated flexible ducts, and spiral metal ducts. Depending on the size of your HVAC system, you may need one type or many kinds of ductwork.
Keep in mind that proper installation and maintenance of ductwork are essential for ensuring your home is heated and cooled efficiently. With the right kind of ductwork installed in your home, you can enjoy even temperatures throughout each room, lower energy bills, and longer-lasting HVAC systems.
Learn what you need to know about duct cleaning and when it might be needed.
It is best to have an HVAC professional inspect your system for proper installation or seal or replace leaky ductwork to ensure optimal performance and help prevent mold in ductwork or your HVAC system. Taking care of your ductwork ensures that it will last for many years with minimal problems.
Anne Fonda, Content Writer
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer
Central air conditioning removes heat and humidity from your home and places it outside. The system then utilizes a series of ducts to re-distribute the newly cooled air throughout your home.
A gas furnace uses gas as a fuel source to produce heat, which is then re-distributed throughout your home.
Zoning systems split your home into various areas, or zones, each controlled by their own thermostat so that they can be heated or cooled separately, depending on your temperature needs.
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