Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!
DIY ductwork might seem like a cost-effective way to improve your home’s HVAC system, but it often leads to more harm than good. From sizing errors to poorly sealed connections, mistakes can result in costly repairs, reduced efficiency, and even health risks due to compromised air quality. Here’s why hiring a professional is the best choice for your ductwork needs.
Homeowners often underestimate or overestimate duct diameter, leading to issues with airflow and energy efficiency. When ducts are too small, your HVAC system must work harder to push air through, reducing comfort and increasing energy bills. If ducts are oversized, airflow can weaken, making it difficult to maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home. Proper duct sizing requires a specific calculation based on room size, distance from the HVAC unit, and airflow requirements.
Proper insulation around ductwork is crucial, especially in unconditioned spaces like attics and basements where temperature fluctuations are typical. Poorly insulated ducts can lose or gain heat, affecting the air temperature that reaches each room. Without insulation, you may notice rooms at the end of your ductwork system are much colder during cold months and much hotter during hot months.
DIYers often skip this step or use inadequate insulation materials, leading to inefficient heating and cooling and discomfort throughout the home. Professional installers know the right type and thickness of insulation needed to prevent temperature loss and maintain energy efficiency.
Designing an efficient duct layout involves more than just fitting ducts into available spaces. It’s about optimizing the flow of air to evenly and effectively reach every room in your home. Many DIY installations or poorly planned layouts end up being too complex, with excessive bends and turns.
These unnecessary obstacles force your HVAC system to work harder to push air through, leading to reduced efficiency and increased energy costs, as well as more frequent heating and cooling repairs. Improper duct layouts can also result in airflow imbalances, where some rooms get too much air while others remain under-served.
Professional HVAC technicians, on the other hand, design duct systems with the most direct and streamlined routes. This minimizes resistance and ensures balanced airflow, reducing strain on your system and helping to maintain consistent temperatures throughout your home.
Gaps or loosely fitted joints can lead to significant air leakage, meaning a portion of the heated or cooled air never reaches the intended rooms. Instead, it escapes into attics, basements, or crawl spaces, reducing overall system efficiency. Leaky ducts make your HVAC system work harder to maintain temperatures, resulting in higher energy costs and inconsistent indoor comfort. While some homeowners may attempt to seal ductwork with duct tape, it’s not an effective or long-lasting solution. HVAC experts use specialized mastic sealants or high-quality metal tape designed to withstand temperature changes and vibrations, giving the duct a tighter seal that minimizes leaks.
There are different types of duct materials available, such as flexible ducts and sheet metal ducts, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. DIYers often make the mistake of choosing duct materials based on availability or ease of installation rather than suitability for their specific HVAC setup.
For example, flexible ducts are easy to install but can quickly become kinked or crushed if used in the wrong location, impacting airflow. Alternatively, sheet metal ducts are durable and offer smoother airflow but can be harder to install without the right tools. Using the wrong duct material can lead to airflow issues, inefficiency, and potential damage to your HVAC system. AC and heating services professionals select duct materials based on factors like airflow needs, location, and system type.
Even if ducts are sealed and installed correctly, there’s a chance that minor leaks can still occur, especially around joints or in areas where ducts may expand and contract with temperature changes. Professional installers use tools like digital manometers to ensure that there are no hidden air leaks after installation. DIYers often skip this step, leading to unintentional leaks that may seem insignificant but can add up over time. These leaks not only reduce the HVAC system’s efficiency but also increase energy bills and compromise indoor comfort.
Building codes set specific standards for HVAC and ductwork installations to ensure safety, efficiency, and proper airflow. However, many DIYers overlook or are unaware of these regulations, which can lead to non-compliant installations. Ignoring these codes may result in inefficient airflow, increased energy costs, or even health hazards due to compromised indoor air quality.
Furthermore, failing to meet code requirements can create complications when selling your home, as potential buyers may request updates to ensure compliance. Adhering to local building codes not only helps avoid fines but also ensures a safe and efficient HVAC system that operates as intended.
Poorly installed ductwork can result in a variety of noise issues, from rattling sounds to annoying whistling and banging. Loose fittings, poorly supported ducts, and excessive bends can create noise as air moves through the system, disturbing the peace in your home. Additionally, ducts that aren’t appropriately secured can vibrate when the HVAC system is running, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear.
A professional installation minimizes noise by using proper supports, sealing connections, and avoiding sharp turns that cause air turbulence. If noise reduction is a priority, an expert installer can recommend additional dampening solutions, ensuring quiet operation for years to come.
DIY ductwork can negatively impact indoor air quality in several ways. Leaky or poorly sealed ducts can draw in dust, dirt, and other contaminants from attics or crawl spaces, allowing these particles to circulate throughout your living spaces. Inadequate sealing and poor insulation also create opportunities for mold growth, further degrading air quality. In humid climates or when ducts run through unconditioned spaces, condensation can form, leading to mold and mildew growth within the ducts.
This not only damages the ductwork but also poses health risks, as mold spores can circulate through your home’s air, triggering allergies and respiratory issues. Professionals take steps to prevent condensation by using the right sealing and insulating techniques, ensuring your ductwork stays dry and mold-free.
DIY ductwork installations often lead to uneven heating and cooling, where certain rooms feel noticeably warmer or cooler than others. This imbalance typically results from issues like improper duct sizing, inefficient layouts, or insufficient airflow. These temperature inconsistencies can make it difficult to maintain comfort throughout your home, often forcing you to constantly adjust the thermostat or rely on additional devices like space heaters.
Professional HVAC installers, however, have the expertise to design and optimize a balanced duct system. They ensure that air is distributed evenly, maintaining consistent temperatures across all rooms and improving overall energy efficiency.
At Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating, and Air, we have served the residents of Etters, PA and the surrounding areas since 1998. We install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems. Additionally, we can help with all your plumbing needs, including installing water treatment systems, repiping, and drain cleaning. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members for duct cleaning, installation, and all your other ductwork services needs.
Welcome to Ready & Able, formerly known as David LeRoy Plumbing! Although our name and brand have changed, we are still here to serve you and all of your plumbing, heating, cooling, and air quality needs!