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Posted by on August 23, 2005, 2:37 pm
Scott McDaniel wrote:
> First question: Is the system large enough to handle the additional 240 sf
> of space?
Certainly a fair question. The current system was installed after the
addition was built.
> Flexible ductwork is typically used to "runout" a rigid line (my Mechanical
> code states it can be no longer than 8' long) ... your question about
> connecting to the "last piece" is where this piece of flexible ductwork
> would be used (if at all). If your ductwork is under your house, then use
> all rigid ... and yes, you should have enough play in the ductwork to get
> everything pieced togther.
>
> No, I doubt that you'll get noticeably better airflow moving from flex to
> rigid, but that depends entirely on the installation. You may find that this
> will certainly increase your airflow, but if the duct wasn't tapped of in
> the correct place, or if the system is sized to handle the additional
> ductwork, or if there are other mitigating factors, then all bets are off.
> Mastic will certainly seal those seams very well (assuming it's installed
> correctly, that is) but it's not going to solve any problems.
Other ducts seem to blow markedly stronger with the same length run.
But of course, the original system wasn't designed to have this duct
extended. This extension is a straight extension of an existing duct.
I would use mastic to avoid creating new problems, not to solve
existing ones. Is it tricky to install mastic correctly? The
manufacturer instructions seemed fairly clear.
>
> As far as determining the size of ducts required ... we can't see it from
> here, so we can't really comment on it.
Absolutely. I didn't ask any questions about sizing.
> Taking into consideration your
> description of the work done so far, however, I believe I'd cut my losses
> and try to find a licensed, competent contractor who uses skilled laborers
> (not whoever they can pick up at the labor pool each day) to install their
> equipment and ducts.
It's a nice idea. But I could probably read the Manual J or whatever
it's called and learn how to do all the computations myself before I
could find a competent contractor in my area willing to take on a job
this small. And I could probably do the job myself in less time than
it would take me to interview contractors to try to find someone, to
say nothing of waiting home for the ones that don't bother to show up.
It's unfortunate that this is the way things work. The guy who did the
previous work did the work himself and was licensed and at least
moderately competent.
>
> >I have a small (20 x 12) addition which is poorly served by my HVAC
> > system. I tried to improve things by having a duct extended and the
> > contractor used insulated flexible duct which I think is pinched in at
> > least one place and possibly compressed by surrounding insulation. The
> > 6" round flex duct has exactly the same cross sectional area as the
> > duct that it is extending.
> >
> > I recently read that insulated 6" flex duct has an equivalent duct
> > length of two times it's actual length. And of course there's the
> > issue of the pinching. So I was thinking I should replace this duct
> > with rigid duct.
> >
> > I have two questions. The first question is: am I wasting my time to
> > do this? Can I expect to improve the air flow by switching 12' of flex
> > duct to 12' of rigid duct and of course, eliminating any pinching?
> >
> > The second question is: where can I find information about the proper
> > way to install ducting? I have been unable to find any books or web
> > sites that explain how to do this. Only thing I've managed to turn up
> > so far is the claim that "duct mastic" is much better than any kind of
> > tape and should be used to seal seams and joints. It seems like there
> > might be a problem with fitting in the last piece of rigid duct. (Or
> > is the ductwork flexible enough that I can bend it open to make room
> > to fit in the last section?) This duct runs through an insulated
> > floor. Rectangular ducting would be easier to fit in and insulate
> > around if I can figure out how to install it and mate it to round duct
> > ports at one or possibly both ends.
> >
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