HVAC Air Ducts and Their Common Types

In the modern era, technology has provided us great control over the spaces we live in, ensuring increased comfort, safety, and much more. With the introduction and installation of HVAC technologies, countless buildings can now have control over room temperatures and air flow for the benefit of those residing within them. In order for HVAC systems to effectively operate, a system of air ducts are commonly routed throughout a building so that circulation can be upheld. While ductwork is very effective, there can be instances in which cold and hot spots form or other issues arise, leading to things like uneven room temperatures, dirty ductwork, high electricity bills, and more. To avoid such concerns, it is important that one has a basic understanding of air ducts, their common types, and why they may face various problems.

Air ducts, commonly referred to as ductwork, are structures designed to facilitate the movement of warm or cold air for the means of heating, cooling, or ventilating the rooms of a building. To have a supply of air, air ducts are attached to a main HVAC unit which filters air before raising or lowering its temperature. While air ducts all perform the same role, the way in which they are constructed and designed will often differ.

Sheet metal ducts are a common option, coming in the form of round, oval, or rectangular structures. With such materials, sheet metal ducts promote high durability and ample mold resistance. Additionally, those made from galvanized steel and zinc coatings will offer ample rust resistance.

With flex duct constructions, a steel wire spiral is surrounded with a bendable polymer material before the assembly is encased within insulation. As compared to other various options, flex duct structures tend to be lower in price, lightweight, and simple to install. With these various advantages, flex ducts are a good voice for constrictive spaces where rigid ductwork is not feasible.

As the final major type of ductwork, fiberboard ducts are structures with a layer of compressed, resin-bonded inorganic fiberglass that is encapsulated by foil to seal off internal spaces from air or water vapor. While insulated and noise-proof, fiberboard ducts are actually the least expensive. Despite this, they do have the issue of inhibited airflow as a result of their rough fiberglass surfaces. Additionally, fiberboard ducts face an increased risk of mold or mildew buildup the older they get, and cleaning may risk surface damage as fiberglass particles are sent into the air.

If you have any of these duct types and notice you have hot or cold spots, you should confirm with a temperature before calling an HVAC professional to deal with the situation. If little to no air is flowing from vents, the problem may either be a blockage or a closed damper. Loud noises tend to source from loose, disconnected, or damaged air ducts, and this issue can worsen over time if ignored. Alongside noise, any loss of insulation will cause utility bills to get much higher as treated air is wasted. Lastly, any problems surrounding poor air quality will most likely trace back to a collection of dust or pollen that has seeped into ducts. To fix this problem, air ducts will simply need to be cleaned.

If you are conducting work on your building’s HVAC system and find that you need various parts and components for repairs or replacements, let the experts at Integrated Purchasing help you secure everything you require with competitive pricing and rapid lead times. With our online RFQ services, requesting quotes for your comparisons is made easy, and our team members always ensure rapid responses to any completed forms that we receive. You can also reach out to us by phone or email, and we would be happy to assist you however we can. Kick off procurement today on any items of interest that you come across and see why so many customers steadily rely on our services.