AC ductwork is used in the forced transportation of air. The ductwork comes in different shapes and constructions.
Types of AC ducts
The most common types of ducts are:
Reverse cycle air conditioner ducting: This type of ducting is used in air conditioners that work by reverse cycle. To ensure that the air transported is at the right temperature, insulate it with 2 inches of material surrounding the core. According to AC professionals, insulating the ductwork with material that is less than 2 inches results to loss of cool air.
Acoustic air conditioner ducting: Acoustic air duct is used in the return air of a ducted reverse cycle system. This air duct reduces the noise produced by a reverse cycle system. To reduce the noise the unit comes with many tiny holes in its inner core.
Evaporative ac duct: They are characterized by the use of only 1 inch of insulation surrounding the core. The reason why they have a thin insulation material is because they are fast thus there is little time for cool air to be tampered with.
Problems with AC ducts
Just like any other parts of your AC, ducts have their fair share of problems. One of the most common problems is poor installation. Poorly installed ducts are unable to effectively cool air and this results to high air conditioning bills. To avoid this problem, be cautious when hiring HVAC contractors. When installing the units ensure that they are installed by an experienced professional.
Another problem with the ducts is leaking. According to HVAC technicians, 20-40% of air moved through HVAC ductwork gets lost. Loss of this air translates to loss of comfort and money. To avoid this you need to work on the sealing of the ductwork. Sit down with your contractor and agree on the right type and size of sealing material that you should use.
Uninsulated or poorly insulated ductwork is another problem with AC ducts. Due to poor insulation, the ducts lose cool air thus your AC is forced to work extra hard. The final problem with air ducts is dirty. Dirty air ducts distribute pollen, mold, dirt, dust and mildew throughout your home resulting to poor air quality. For good air quality have the ducts inspected and cleaned regularly by certified and experienced AC contractors.
