Services - Commercial and Home Systems - Ducting

Many consumers are lead to believe that the SEER rating and efficiencies of the equipment is the only important component to a system. But what is the point of installing the most energy efficient, cost effective equipment, to have the heated or cooled air escape from a leaking and broken ducting system. Your ducting system is at least as important as any equipment if not more so.

A duct system is the air delivery system to your home. Essentially, the integrity of a duct system consist of 2 major components, the material used and how well it is put together.

First the materials: Until recently the majority of ductwork was still being put together with duct tape. Most of us has seen duct tape after a few years, when it becomes dry, cracked and brittle, a duct system would literally fall apart at the seams. One of the very first goals we at Crystal Air set for ourselves, when we began business, was to create only sealed duct systems. And we proceeded to do just that, creating only the best systems that will meet or exceed the California Energy guidelines. Also, insulation, insulation, insulation... it can never be said enough. The ducting used and all joins of our duct systems are wrapped with the highest quality with the most insulation R-value available. The idea to this is to keep the warmed and cooled air at peak temperature while it is being delivered to the inside of your home.

The ducting itself can come in many variations, sheetmetal manufactured, spiral, air flow material, ductboard, and flex are a few. And while some of these materials are aesthetically pleasing applications for indoor ducting, the most typical ducting system is in the attic space or under the floor, where effeciency is a prioity. For the average application we feel that sheetmetal and flex are best, and the only type we will use. Sheetmetal has the advantage of strength, durability and animal proofing. With the proper insulation it is an excellent product. Flexduct is the most popular because it is less expensive and is also an excellent product, although it can be subject to animal intrusion and steps must be taken to insure your home is secure. Both of these products create a very cost effective system.

Secondly, workmanship. You can have the best equipment and best material and the worst system, determined by workmanship. A duct system that is properly constructed, sealed, insulated, and duct blast tested to insure air tightness will deliver warmed and cooled air into your home in the most efficient manner, SAVING you money. However, a duct system that is poorly constructed, unsealed, uninsulated or untested will deliver heated or cooled air out into the attic or basement, COSTING you money.
Its as simple as that.