Most buildings in the United State have climate control hardware in them; that is, metal air ducts, blower fans, and furnaces for heat, along with air conditioners to cool down a house. In fact, statistics say that heating and cooling systems are built into around 90% of new homes, but commercial buildings often get them, too. For the most part, rectangular air ducts models have been in use across the nation, but now, residential oval ducts are often made with ova ductwork and spiral duct fittings. The benefits of oval ducts are quite clear, and residential oval ducts are convenient for the installation crews and the building’s owners, too. So, what is there to know about the manufacture, sale, and installation of oval ducts and spiral ducts for a commercial building that is under construction? And when is it time to clean out or repair a building’s existing air ducts and HVAC hardware?
Upgrading to Oval Ducts
Commercial and residential oval ducts are flatter and rounder than traditional rectangular duct models, and spiral ducts are often tube-shaped. One of the major differences is the amount of room needed to install such ducts; take note that rectangular ducts will need around three extra inches of space for the connections and reinforcements at every single joint. Due to this factor, rectangular ducts only fit into commercial buildings that have enough room for them, and more cramped buildings can’t have them installed at all. By contrast, commercial and residential oval ducts don’t need that extra space, nor do spiral ducts, and they can be fitted into more cramped quarters during a building’s construction. What is more, these oval and spiral duct models are less likely to fall apart than rectangular duct models, and they are very tough.
Not only are residential oval duct models space-efficient, but manufacturers will find them resource-efficient to make, too. Many industries today are working hard to become more resource-efficient to cut down on costs and pollution alike, and oval and spiral ducts require less sheet metal than rectangular models will. Better yet, the costs for manufacturing such ducts is lower, and construction crews will enjoy lower costs for labor, parts, and waste disposal of these models. What is more, the costs for warehousing, packaging, and warehousing of spiral and oval ducts is also lower, making these newer models more cost-efficient for every party involved.
Installing and Repairing Ducts
Spiral and oval ducts are also being installed frequently because they allow for fast and efficient air flow, with very little waste. Seeing how air conditioning and heating accounts for nearly 50% of a typical home’s electricity use (and therefore electric bill), it is clear how such spiral and oval ducts can cut down on everyday costs. Something similar could be said about commercial buildings, too. A building’s air flow can be accurately measured by means of a flow plate, and this flow plate will measure the duct’s airflow with accuracy within 7% of the true airflow rate in that duct. In this way, a building’s owner can ask professionals to measure the air flow, and determine if they need new and better ducts installed.
When should spiral ductwork or oval ducts get installed? Not only during construction, but also during renovation. An older building may have ducts that are caked with grime and dust inside, and the ducts may be in danger of falling apart or coming loose and developing air leaks. Or, an entrepreneur who buys an older building may conduct an inspection and decide that the current HVAC system needs an update. So, professionals can be found online (they should have their own websites), and entire crews can visit to remove the old duct work and install new models. For the sake of saving money and space, and improving air flow, spiral and oval ducts can be fitted in to replace the old rectangular ducts, and spiral ducts are easy to fasten together, too. Old, worn out blower fans can be cleaned off and/or replaced, too, restoring full air flow and making the system more efficient.
