If certain areas of your home seem to lack airflow or the vents only produce a weak, limited flow, increase duct size may help provide better air circulation and temperature control. Under-sized ducts reduce efficiency, make your HVAC system work harder, lead to higher energy bills, and leave some rooms feeling unconditioned.
There are a few signs that indicate your ducts could benefit from increased sizing:
- Weak or limited airflow from vents. Then,if vents only produce a small, weak stream of air or airflow seems far too limited for the size of the room, the ducts are likely under-sized.
- Cold/hot spots. Also,if some rooms feel noticeably colder or hotter than others, especially adjacent rooms, it could indicate limited airflow from undersized ducts. The HVAC system struggles to condition the space adequately.
- High utility bills. In addition,a less efficient duct system requires more energy to operate, which results in higher heating, cooling and overall HVAC costs. Increasing duct size improves efficiency and lowers utility expenses.
- Noise from the HVAC unit. Furthermore,an undersized duct system causes the HVAC compressor and fan to run longer and harder to compensate, resulting in increased noise. Properly sized ducts allow for better air flow with less equipment operation.
- Two-story homes or many vents. Also,larger homes or those with multiple floors often require larger ducts to move enough air to properly condition all areas. Improving duct size is especially helpful for less efficient layouts.
- Newer HVAC system installation. If your ducts were originally sized only for an older, less efficient HVAC system, increasing size when upgrading equipment helps maximize the potential of a newer, high-efficiency system to improve comfort, airflow and efficiency.
To increase duct size
You’ll want to use larger diameter pipes, increase grill/vent sizes, or partially replace smaller duct sections with larger ones as needed. Airflow tests can help determine the best sizes for different zones to achieve proper balance based on room size and needs. Be sure to hire an HVAC professional to ensure any repairs, replacements or upgrades meet building codes for safety and effectiveness.
In summary,increasing duct size when needed can make a big difference in comfort, efficiency and high performance from your HVAC system. Properly sized ducts help ensure consistent conditioning, lower costs, improved air quality, and extended equipment lifespan.