Thinking About Buying A New Heating And Cooling System? “Don’t Forget The Duct System”

Considering the majority of older residential duct systems were never designed to handle the airflow requirements of a new energy efficient heating and cooling system, it’s hard to believe the duct system is the most over-looked of the three critical factors.

A well trained and knowledgeable contractor knows that 53% (see rated performance graph) of your new heating and cooling system’s rated Btu’s and Energy Efficiency depends on the condition of your ductwork. For this reason, he would never install a new heating and cooling system without pre-testing the duct system for potential hidden problems.

Researchers and utility companies know that duct problems are usually the real reason for higher than normal operating costs and premature equipment failure.

Any contractor that doesn’t pre-test a duct system for potential hidden problems is leading you to believe the rated Btu’s and energy efficiency he’s listed on his proposal is what the heating and cooling system will be delivering into your home when he’s finished. Unfortunately for the homeowner, that’s not necessarily true!

There are four key potential hidden duct problems that must be tested for and then corrected if the homeowner expects to receive comfort and the rated Btu’s and Energy Efficiency of the heating and cooling system.

1. Rooms too hot or too cold. Most residential duct systems were never installed with balancing dampers which allows the contractor to properly distribute the airflow where it’s needed in the home based on room-by-room load calculations.

2. Duct systems often have pre-existing restrictions (static pressure) that prevent a heating and cooling system from running at its rated Btu’s and efficiency. Furnace manufacturers have listed their design parameters (TESP) listed on engineering data plate inside the furnace.

3. In many duct systems, the single biggest problem is that they leak incredible amounts of air. Leakage like… The use of the gray duct tape which is commonly used to seal joints and connect ducts together. But the warm temperature in a duct system dries the tape’s sticky glue causing the tape to loosen and fall off. So just days after the ducts were installed, the seals started to leak airflow. And the leaks worsened over time.

A recent study by a Department of Energy lab discovered one key reason for this leakage: gray duct tape quickly dries out and is virtually worthless for sealing ducts!

4. Ductwork that passes through unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces often isn’t insulated or isn’t insulated enough to protect the air inside the duct system from the outside air. In winter, your heated warm air cools down before it gets into your home, and in summer the “cold” air warms up as it passes through these spaces.

Department Of Energy states: “Duct repairs could be the most important energy improvement measure you can do in a home.”

We’ve invested in the most advanced computerized equipment on the market called HomeScan. With HomeScan, NOTHING gets by our certified technicians as they take hundreds of readings of your duct system. They then input the information into a laptop computer so you can see for yourself if your duct system has any hidden problems.

A properly trained contractor inspects, tests and corrects any hidden problems in a duct system that would prevent a heating and cooling system from delivering its rated Btu’s and Energy Efficiency.  He’s one critical factor closer for providing you with year-round comfort without causing high heating and cooling bills.

Contact the air experts at Nevada Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Ask our tech, request a service or offer feedback, please.