Well-Designed Duct Systems

Forced air is still the primary domestic distribution system for heating and cooling in Colorado. Although radiant systems are touted as being the most comfortable and efficient systems available for heating a home, a well-designed, forced-air duct system can often provide comparable comfort and efficiency at much lower cost. You also have the advantage that your cooling needs do not need a separate system as is usually the case with radiant.

But...
Duct Systems are not just lengths of tubing squeezed into odd parts of the house where they won't be noticed. They need to be carefully designed and constructed or your comfort can be severely compromised.

Questions to ask concerning your duct system

Noise
•Is the system designed to minimize noise?
•Are the air velocities within and exiting the duct system planned to be within reasonable limits?
•Are there sharp bends in the ducts close to the vents which will create noise?
•Will noise carry along the ducts from the fan to the rooms? Has sound absorption material been added to minimize this?

Living Zone Comfort
•Have the vent positions and the air exit velocities been planned to ensure- adequate air in each room?
•Is there sufficient air distribution within each room?
•Are there minimal drafts within the occupied zone?
•Are there sufficient returns to ensure good air distribution throughout the house?
•Is the duct system well sealed to ensure the air goes where it is needed?

Zoning
•Should the house be divided into climate-control zones each with its own thermostat?
•In a multi-level house will the upper floor(s) be too hot or the lower floor(s) too cold?
•Will the south and/or west sides of the house get so much solar heat during the day that they become too hot compared to the other parts of the house? Should they be zoned separately?
•Have the air blower and basic duct design been selected so that the zoning will work well? (No gales in one zone when the others shut off).

Energy Efficiency
•Are the ducts well insulated where necessary to ensure that energy is not thrown away?
•Can you control the zones as required to ensure that rooms are heated and cooled as necessary.

If you have any questions, please contact us.