If you want the most efficient, least expensive HVAC system possible, proper duct sizing is the first step you must take. There are two situations that require duct sizing. The first is if your home doesn’t have any ductwork and you want to install a forced-air heating and cooling system. The second is if your home’s ductwork is more than 10 years old and needs to be resized.

The most common mistake when sizing ductwork is oversizing. This has been common in the past to prevent noisy rushing sounds characteristic of undersized systems. However, oversized ductwork forces your equipment to run less efficiently, negatively impacts airflow and increases operational costs.

The proper method for duct sizing can be found in Manual D. This manual covers a wide variety of ductwork topics so a contractor can build the most efficient system possible. The sizing calculations found in Manual D are quite intricate. Since there are many materials that can be used as ductwork, a variety of designs to choose from and several sizing options, intricate calculations are necessary to remove the guesswork from duct sizing.

In addition to sizing needs, Manual D helps contractors avoid potential problems, such as wasteful duct leaks and noisy airflow. Leaks waste energy and can increase your heating and cooling bills by 20 percent or more. By preventing these leaks at the initial installation, you’ll be equipped with the foundation you need for a high-performing system. Noisy ductwork is an inconvenience that can reduce your quality of living, so it’s important for a contractor to control excess noise when sizing ductwork as well.

Because it’s impossible to achieve the high-performing system you want without properly sized ductwork, you want to ensure that you work with a contractor that uses Manual D for proper sizing techniques. Contact Smoky Mountain Heating & Air today to work with such a contractor. We have generations of experience serving our Asheville area customers.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about duct sizing and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!