Upgrading your home’s ductwork will make the HVAC systems more efficient. It will also improve indoor air quality. Speaking with a licensed HVAC technician can help you choose the best ductwork options for your home. Here are some common recommendations.
1. Duct Cleaning
Over time, dust and particulates build up in a home’s ductwork. This can restrict airflow, which puts strain on your HVAC system. Cleaning removes the buildup from the ducts, making your home’s air healthier to breathe.
2. Duct Insulation and Sealing
If your ductwork has holes or is not properly insulated, you will lose a significant amount of conditioned air. To get your home to the desired temperature, your HVAC will need to run for longer periods. Reinsulating the ducts and having them sealed makes it easier for the HVAC systems to heat and cool the home. During the insulation and sealing process, technicians replace insulation and corroded ducts and seal duct joints.
A sealed ductwork system also keeps pollutants and impurities out. Some experts recommend insulating ducts with duct liners. Liners made of foam board provide insulating and sound-absorbing properties. The liners enhance interior air quality by lowering the likelihood of mold formation by eliminating condensation. It also limits the movement of airborne pollutants. The improved insulation also allows for more precise temperature regulation, which increases HVAC efficiency.
3. UV Lights
UV lamps are usually placed close to the coils. They virtually eliminate microbes like mold and bacteria by rendering them unable to reproduce. These lights significantly improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants, thereby decreasing the likelihood of respiratory problems. For the UV lights to kill as many germs as possible, you have to put them in the right spots. This is why it’s best to let a professional handle the installation. Technicians will assess the ducting arrangement and carefully integrate the lights into your HVAC system.
4. Electrostatic Air Purifiers
Electrostatic air purifiers work by attracting and trapping particulates from the air as it flows past them. By capturing and retaining these particles, they not only keep the air cleaner but also improve the performance of HVAC systems by ensuring optimal airflow. Expertise is usually required when installing an electrostatic air purifier in the ducts. Accurately assessing the ductwork arrangement, installing the air purifier, and integrating it correctly all require the skills of professionals.
5. Activated Carbon Filters
Filters with activated carbon are great at capturing gases and volatile organic compounds in your indoor air. At the same time, they keep these pollutants out of the HVAC system, which means air can move freely and efficiently. Because of their dual purpose, activated carbon filters are a great asset to HVAC systems, enhancing both air quality and system efficiency. Activated carbon is also a great way to reduce odors.
6. Air Filters
When it comes to indoor air quality, HEPA filters are the best at trapping the tiniest particles, such as dust, allergies, and germs. However, true HEPA filters are rarely used in HVAC systems for residential homes, as they will restrict airflow. They are used in commercial and industrial systems, including hospitals and clinics.
Air filters are measured on a MERV scale, with higher numbers capturing smaller particles. HEPA filters are a MERV 17 or higher. For residential buildings, filters can be as low as MERV 8 and as high as 13. When the filter has a higher rating than the system is designed for, airflow is restricted, which puts unnecessary strain on the system. This can lead to premature wear. This is why you should always work with your local HVAC professional to find the range of filters that are appropriate for your system.
7. Duct Boosters
Duct boosters use fans to expedite airflow throughout the home. They are typically placed in well-ventilated zones in the house. The boosters keep the house at a more constant temperature by increasing airflow, eliminating hot and cold zones. In addition to making the interior more comfortable, this modification makes the HVAC system more efficient by reducing strain. It also reduces stagnation and maximizes ventilation, which in turn improves indoor air quality.
Depending on the type and model, duct boosters can be quite difficult to install. Putting the booster fan in the duct and hooking it up to the power supply is the standard procedure for basic inline duct boosters. If you want your booster to communicate with the rest of your HVAC system and your smart thermostat, work with a professional.
8. Ductwork Replacement
When ducts are old, they deteriorate and develop leaks, which reduces airflow and HVAC efficiency. Modern, airtight ductwork improves HVAC efficiency by cutting down on air leaks and improving airflow. If your leaky ducts have mold or rodents, replacing the corroded sections will also improve indoor air quality. A technician can inspect your home’s ductwork to see which parts need replacing.
9. HVAC Zoning
Adding ductwork-based HVAC zoning to a home with existing ductwork entails alterations that enable individualized temperature regulation in distinct zones. A zoning control panel, dampers, and several thermostats are common components of this improvement. Zoned HVAC systems improve indoor air quality and efficiency by controlling temperatures according to individual zones’ demands. It saves energy and eases system strain by directing conditioned air only where it is needed.
10. Smart Vents
Ductwork systems have a lot of parts, including supply and return ducts, joints, connectors, and air registers (also known as air vents). When placed in separate rooms, smart vents regulate airflow according to occupancy and temperature. These vents reduce energy waste from HVAC systems by focusing conditioned air on occupied areas. They rely on occupancy and temperature sensors to operate. The correct installation of these sensors is crucial to the vents working properly.
11. Energy-Efficient Duct Fans
Duct fans work exceptionally well at circulating air in spaces that experience poor airflow. By improving the home’s ventilation, the fans make it easier to maintain a consistent temperature. This makes it easier for HVAC systems to heat and cool the home. It also reduces air stagnation, improving indoor air quality.
12. Duct Redesign or Mini-Split Addition
Homes that experience inadequate airflow and uneven temperature distribution can greatly benefit from ductwork redesign. However, adding or altering the existing ductwork is only a good plan during a major remodel. If you are adding a single room or converting a garage or basement, it will be less expensive and simpler to add a ductless system like a mini-split instead to this isolated area.
Most homes with ductwork should schedule duct cleaning every three to six years. If you have pets or people with sensitive respiratory systems, you may want to have them cleaned more often. In addition to duct cleaning, Sam's Air Control cleans ducts and also specializes in ductless HVAC systems, boilers, geothermal heating and cooling, and much more. Contact us now to schedule ductwork cleaning for your Metuchen, NJ, home to improve your indoor air quality.
