What's An Air Duct?
HVAC duct work, or AC ducts - are conduits that supply warm or cool air to heat, ventilate, and cool each room in a house. Air ducts are connected to the HVAC unit, which filters and heats / cools your home’s air before sending it off. Air ducts are a vital part of your HVAC system, providing thermal well-being and good indoor air quality for your family.
Types Of Air Ducts
Sheet Metal Duct
Galvanized steel or aluminum air ducts can be round, oval, or rectangular like the one Bruce Willis crawls through in Die Hard. Sheet metal HVAC ductwork is the most durable and least likely to harbor mold. Metal air ducts are practically rustproof, especially galvanized steel with its zinc coating.
Flex Duct
Simply put, flex ducts are made from a steel wire spiral, wrapped with a polymer (a bendable plastic), and surrounded by insulation. This kind of ductwork is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to install. Flex ducts work wonders in tricky spaces where more rigid ductwork will not do.
Fiberboard Duct
This type of duct has two layers: compressed, resin-bonded, inorganic fiberglass is encased in foil to prevent air and water vapor from penetrating. Typically, this air duct is the least expensive, prevents noise, and is already well-insulated. The downside? The rough fiberglass surface inhibits airflow.
Beware – old fiberboard ducts aren’t treated to prevent mold or mildew and should be replaced immediately. If you suspect you have old fiberboard ductwork, do not attempt to clean it. The surface damage will release fiberglass into the air and throughout your home.
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