5 HVAC Ductwork Design Mistakes to Avoid

bad hvac ductwork design and bad ductwork installation

The ductwork of your HVAC system transports hot and cool air from the HVAC units to rooms and other spaces at your home. This is why the ductwork is one of the most important components of your HVAC system. That being said, HVAC contractors can often become too focused on the main HVAC components. As a result, they fail to pay due attention to the ductwork. This results in poorly designed and installed ductwork.

The right ductwork design should cater to the size of the spaces to cool, the distance between the units, and a number of other factors. When an installation fails to account for these, poor ductwork design can result in a number of problems. These include:

  • Poor heating and cooling. Ineffective ductwork design obstructs the proper circulation of the hot or cool air. This leads to poor heating in the winter and poor cooling in the summer.
  • Lower energy efficiency. When the ductwork does not support the HVAC, this forces the system to exert more, consuming more energy in the process and lowering the energy efficiency of your home.
  • Higher energy bills. Low energy efficiency directly results in higher energy bills, forcing you to spend more on your annual energy needs.
  • Higher maintenance costs. When ductwork forces your HVAC to exert more, the HVAC has to be serviced more often with a higher risk of malfunctions. So you may also face higher maintenance costs in the long run.


These and a number of other HVAC problems can be avoided simply by having your ductwork designed and installed right. To help you guide in that direction, here are some key mistakes to avoid in this regard. If you need any HVAC services don’t hesitate to contact Greenville Air Conditioning
Service & Repair today.

Avoid Sharp Bends in Ductwork

Sharp bends impede the flow of air. When too sharp bends are used in the ductwork, it obstructs the hot or cold air from reaching the vents. The sharper these bends are, the most it prevents the air within the ducts from circulating smoothly and freely. So it is important to incorporate as few bends as possible in your ductwork. If they are inevitable, try to use gradual bends instead of sharp ones to ensure good air circulation.

Ensure the Right Size

It is vitally important to get the size of your HVAC ducts right. The right size depends on a number of factors. These include the distance between vents and HVAC units, the heating or cooling needs of your home, and the material used in the construction of the ducts. You must consider these factors when determining the right size of the ductwork. Undersized ductwork will fail to properly deliver heated or cooled air to your indoor spaces. The same is true for oversized ductwork which will instead force your HVAC to exert more, leading to poor efficiency.

Avoid Long Runs

Ideally, the distance between the HVAC equipment and the delivery vents should be as little as possible. This also means that the ductwork should be designed to run the briefest length possible. Long runs results in energy losses and a heavier load on your HVAC. In contrast, briefer runs to ensure better efficiency and lower energy costs. To avoid long runs, make sure you discuss ductwork design from the very beginning of HVAC installation.

Eliminate Any And All Air Leaks  

One of the most common causes of poor heating and cooling is air leaks in the HVAC ducts. Leaky ducts can bring down the efficiency of your HVAC system by as much as 20%. Leaks also allow dust and other airborne particles to enter your ductwork and then circulate throughout the home, possibly causing allergies and breathing problems. If you are not sure how to seal leaky ducts, you can hire a Greenville heating and air professional to do the job for you.

Suitably Position the Return Vents

Return vents allow the air from indoors to be flown back to the ducts and through them to the air conditioner. The air conditioning unit then cools and cleans the air before releasing it into the indoor spaces again. For this process to function smoothly, it is important that you install the right number of vents at the right locations. If you install too few return vents, this can impact the performance of the HVAC.

Hiring Professional HVAC Greenville Heating and Air Experts

If you want to have new ductwork installed at your home, have an existing HVAC ductwork repaired, or simply want a professional to look into possible HVAC problems, we have got you covered. Here at General Air, our Greenville heating and air experts have been providing professional services to homeowners and businesses across Greenville. Contact us today to hire our services, get a free quote, or simply consult our experts.Â