7 Steps for HVAC Ductwork Installation
Modern life requires a properly functional HVAC system for both work and leisure. However, getting set up can be a daunting task whether you are making upgrades and replacing outdated ducting or installing ducts for the first time. But it’s not necessary to be.
Continue reading our list of 7 easy steps for HVAC ductwork installation.
1. Design the ventilation early on
It’s necessary to determine your load calculation before you can install any kind of duct. You must therefore determine the heat gain and loss in each room. This will allow you to determine which rooms require ductwork and which ones can do without.
Make a diagram and note your calculations. After your calculations are complete, you can start developing your project plan. Plan where you want the ductwork to be in advance. The air return duct placements must also be planned.
Although a complete plan is not necessary, strive to be as specific as you can. It’s crucial to specify the correct room measurements. This will assist you in determining the size of the ducts and how much equipment and material you’ll require.
>> Read more: 3 HVAC Ductwork Types You Should Know
2. Pick the right ducting
When it comes to ducting, you have a few options: flexible fiberglass hose or sheet metal. The fact that sheet metal ductwork has been tried, tested, and successful is the key argument in favor of using it.
Sheet metal ducting is strong and resilient, whether you’re building a new house or renovating an old one. If properly installed and maintained, there may be a considerable period of time between repairs.
Other advantages of sheet metal exist as well. It is ideal for a DIY installation because it is simpler to install. It fits most households because there are so many sizes and fitting options. The sheet metal frequently retains its shine for a longer period of time and doesn’t quickly gather dust.
Over time, flexible fiberglass ducting may deteriorate. It can be challenging to clean and will likely gather dust. To achieve the same level of airflow, they will also need to be larger than metal ducting. Airflow is significantly impeded if the corners are not given adequate room or if there are kinks.
3. Pick the location for your HVAC first
Your exhaust pipes and other major elements should be placed in the most practical places. Consider how straightforward it will be to link everything. In the loft, MVHR or heat recovery devices are frequently encountered. You can, however, place them in a utility closet in areas with vaulted ceilings or limited space.
Normally, ducting is installed in the spaces above floors and lofts. However, as there are no ceiling voids in vaulted ceilings, this will not be possible. Instead, you can run them inside stud walls or between webbed eco joists.
>> Read more: Electric heat furnace
4. Avoid long runs and bends
Any bend will reduce airflow, regardless of whether it is adequately sealed. If you don’t take your time during the design process, the equipment may end up being located outside of the cooling-required space. This may result in lengthy ducting runs, which may make it more difficult for your HVAC system to circulate air.
Reduced airflow is also caused by bends that are excessively sharp or too numerous. It makes it difficult for your HVAC system to operate and causes the room to heat up since it reduces the amount of air that can reach the area that requires cooling.
5. Work with existing ducting
It can be simpler to incorporate old ductwork into a new system if it already exists. But be careful not to reuse anything that should be replaced.
It’s not always practicable to install ductwork using recommended practices when working with pre-existing ductwork. Make a butt joint on one side if you need to place a pipe between two others but are unable to maintain the ideal 1.5-inch overlap. A draw band connector can be utilized to hold everything in place when employing circular ductwork.
Avoid attempting to peel off the foil tape that separates portions of your current ducting as you disassemble it. As an alternative, score the seam and take out any screws that are taped. This will guarantee that you have a solid surface on which to place fresh tape. Simply remove any debris and cover the old tape with new tape.
6. Ensure appropriate sealing
Up to 20% of your conditioned air may be escaping if your ductwork is improperly sealed. Because they operate at a lesser capacity for a longer period of time, high-efficiency systems exacerbate this problem.
That’s because air has more time and opportunities to escape through joints as it spends more time in the ducts. Therefore, be careful to use mastic gum or metal-backed tape to seal your joints to prevent leaks.
7. Order the system to verify airflow
Once your ducting is installed, perform one last inspection. Ask your HVAC system to verify that the airflow levels are appropriate.
Modern models will include air conditioning settings that can be managed by an app. This helps installers save time on the job site. The software can be used to verify that the airflow levels are appropriate. By doing this, the inconvenience of needing to manually modify fan speeds at the control unit is eliminated.
This then guarantees precise commissioning. During installation, you want to make sure everything functions properly. If not, you might have to pay for a callback to address any problems.
Your HVAC ductwork installation will be successful if you follow these 7 procedures. The majority of potential problems can be avoided by carefully planning your installation before committing. Purchasing the proper supplies for the project will guarantee a durable installation that needs little upkeep.