Ductwork: The Unsung Hero of HVAC

You wouldn’t buy a Maserati and then put wagon wheels on it; all the power of that engine would be wasted. The same principle applies to your HVAC system: no matter how good the brand of furnace or heat pump you have to condition (heat or cool) the air, you need the right configuration of ductwork to distribute that conditioned air evenly throughout your home.

If you live in Westchester County, you know that this can be a challenge. Many homes are older, have additions, incorrectly installed equipment, or maybe even all three, and you may experience symptoms of improperly functioning ductwork. Those include poor air quality, hot or cold spots in the house, and/or high energy bills – an inefficient HVAC system needs to work harder and use more energy to maintain the correct temperature, even excellent ones like the Mitsubishi units we mainly install.

How can you tell if yours is any good? One thing to look for is how the ducts come off the main trunk line from the furnace or air handler. They should be spaced out when on the same side of the trunk line, and should not be directly opposite from a duct on the other side. If not, there’s an immediate loss of efficiency in your HVAC system.

Likewise, sharp turns restrict airflow and make it easier for dust and debris to get caught, reducing the quality of the air in your home. Ducts should turn as gently and infrequently as possible for heating and air conditioning to work its best, allowing air to reach all the rooms in your home with ease.

We can assess these issues and more, and provide professional input on how to best maintain a high level of comfort in your home. We serve customers throughout Westchester County, especially Bedford, Pound Ridge, South Salem, Mt Kisco, Chappaqua, Armonk, and Yorktown Heights.