Many heating/cooling systems are now double units, with various elements for cooling or heating system, but sharing a blower and ductwork to distribute conditioned air through a house. Many ductwork now is flexduct, wire coils within a layer of insulating material and sealed using a metallic covering. It can be installed in walls, ceilings, attics or under floors in basements or crawl spaces, and routed across articles and other framing. The size of ducts will vary with the airflow or output of the heating/cooling device, the amount required to reach socket vents along with other aspects.
Draw a rough floor plan of the home, noting the place of the heating/cooling unit and each port or socket, normally installed on walls close windows. Contain provisions to get a return method, typically an entry point in a central place where air will flow naturally, installed using a metal frame to hold an air filter. Place the return so the frame can connect easily to wall studs.
Sketch a rough layout, employing a central distribution duct from the unit to the opposite end of the home, with branches forking to each socket. Adapt the design to the form of unit; you on a concrete slab base, for instance, will need to start with a vertical duct to your ceiling or attic. Note the size for each segment, decreasing with socket branches and beginning with the volume of airflow. Provide a yield of equal size to balance the input signal and collection of air.
Route ducts between joists more than, or in a basement, if possible . Place ducts on top of joists in a ceiling or attic. Avoid any hot elements, such as water heaters, heater or stove exhausts or hot water pipes, and electrical elements such as junction boxes or breaker panels.
Make as many direct lines as possible; avoid sharp bends or turns or any obstacles which will crimp the duct. Utilize utility closets or similar spaces to run big distribution ducts to ceilings or attics. Put ducts to outlets in walls in which the duct will fit within the wall cavity; use ceiling vents as an alternative if ductwork runs through a ceiling.
Maintain ducts in”conditioned” or insulated spaces and never run flexible ducts where they’ll be exposed to direct sunshine. Tie individual distribution ducts to the trunk with T or Y connectors, metal sleeves that fit within the end of a duct and are secured using a flexible strap wrapped round the duct and sealed using heat-resistant tape.
Place the return entrance as close to the device as possible, usually at ground level on an interior wall. Provide for at least one return in a large system, but you should be certain the return component will manage all of the output; a yield too big or too little will make an inefficient heating and cooling system.