Air Conditioning Ductwork: The Basics
While ovens and refrigerators are considered essential appliances in a home, the one appliance that has a tremendous effect on nearly every square foot of the residence is the air conditioner. Providing refreshing cool air in the Summer and Spring, and much needed warmth in the Fall and Winter, the air conditioner can cover quite a large area for just a single piece of equipment. This effect on every room in the home is produced by the air conditioning ductwork the central unit is attached to. The ductwork layout is essential to efficient operation of a central air conditioning unit.
What is Air Conditioning Ductwork?
Ductwork is essentially a series of passageways by which heated or cooled air is pushed through the house. The ducts are connected to vents in each room that can be used to regulate the amount of air being allowed into each room. The main duct coming directly from the air handling unit on the air conditioner is the largest of the series, with several, smaller ducts branching off of it and extending throughout the house to individual rooms. These branching areas are also referred to as take-off points.
What Types of Ductwork are There?
Ductwork systems come in a variety of shapes including round, square rectangular, and oval. Residential ductwork systems can be either rigid, flexible, or a combination of both. Rigid ducts are primarily used for main lines which tend to run fairly straight. Flexible ducts, on the other hand, are used for spaces requiring unusual angles or featuring a series of curves the duct must pass through. The shape of the ducts being used are also determined by the area surrounding their desired placement.
Ducts can be made from a variety of materials including thin aluminum sheet metal or fiberglass board for rigid ducts and plastic or fabric for flexible ductwork. Nearly all ductwork is surrounded by some type of insulation in order to help keep the air being pushed through properly heated or cooled until it reaches its destination. There are also several other ductwork components including connectors, stacks, and vents.
In essence, a ductwork system is the transportation method used by your air conditioning unit to deliver hot or cold air into each room of your home.
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