What are the Design Considerations for Ductwork?

In our last article, we went over the importance of ductwork for the success of an HVAC system. But what makes a successful design? Here we have outlined the four pivotal factors that our technicians consider when designing your ductwork.

1. The design will be different for every property as many factors can affect this layout. The square footage, the amount of windows and which direction they face, along with the overall layout of the property. Where the ducts are placed also needs to be considered. If ducts are running through walls that aren’t climate-controlled, they need to be insulated to avoid energy loss. The design of the ductwork aims to be the most direct route from the HVAC system and the air-supply registers.
2. The sizing plays a prominent role in the overall design of the ductwork in your building. The length that the ductwork needs to stretch across the facility, from room to room and floor to floor. Industrial and commercial facilities require ductwork to cover a large amount of square footage. The size of the system itself also determines what ductwork will be needed.
3. The sealing helps determine the energy efficiency of the system. A proper seal will need to be on every connection and bend. Leaks are inevitable over time as ductwork changes size depending on the season; it expands when the furnace is on and contracts when the air conditioning is on. Once there is a leak, the energy efficiency of your system will start to deteriorate. Properly fitted ductwork will be more resilient to these leaks.
4. Air circulation should be balanced throughout the whole system. Air pressure is also a primary goal when designing ductwork. Unbalanced air pressure can lead to inconsistent temperature and energy loss.

Proper ductwork design and installation for the most efficient HVAC system requires a professional to install.

At MEP Services Group, we have a team of professional HVAC and Sheet Metal Technicians who can help you upgrade your system to a customized, more efficient design. Call MEP for a complimentary consultation today.