Replacing Commercial Ductwork
In any commercial building, HVAC ductwork plays a vital role in
maintaining a livable climate.
Both employees and customers benefit
from a building with a comfortable indoor environment, thanks to a
properly functioning HVAC system and modern ductwork.
While a good duct system can last 20 years or more, HVAC ductwork is
susceptible to age and deterioration over time, often with
noticeable effects. Making sure your ductwork is up to date and
functioning properly ensures a comfortable working environment,
promotes energy efficiency, and even increases worker productivity.
In this article, we take a look at the signs of aging ductwork, and
how ZEN Industries can help with your HVAC renovation projects.
Signs of Aging Ductwork
There are a few ways to assess the health of your project’s
ductwork. Here are some of the most common signs that it may need
replaced. ZEN Industries
recommends that ductwork be replaced in commercial buildings when
they are experiencing problems like these.
Can ZEN Industries help with your HVAC duct renovation project? Call us at 877-600-0274, or visit our
Contact Us page today!
Airflow and Temperature Inconsistencies
When some rooms of a building are different temperatures or have
less airflow than others, this may be a sign that the HVAC duct will
need replaced.
Reduced airflow may be an indication that something is blocking the
duct near that area, or that the duct has been bent, crushed, or
otherwise damaged between the takeoff and the supply vent. Built up
debris, animal activity, leaks, or physically damaged components can
all interrupt the delivery of conditioned air, contributing to some
areas being to hot while others are uncomfortably cold.
Physical Damage
One
of the most obvious signs that a commercial building’s ductwork may
need replaced is physical damage to the ductwork itself.
Over time, ductwork can become damaged by
rust or corrosion, which could cause air leaks if left unattended.
Pests such as mice can also damage ductwork from chewing on
insulation, leading to energy loss from uninsulated sections of
duct.
Improperly installed or older ductwork
can come apart, separating at loose joints or where tape has peeled
away. Other forces can also bend, crush, or block airflow through
the ductwork, leading to restricted airflow in affected areas. This
happens when building work and renovations are done over the years,
as well as when other aging systems put weight or shift against
aging ductwork.
Higher Energy Bills
Another common sign that ductwork may need replaced is an increase
in energy bills. Higher energy costs have a variety of causes,
including damaged ductwork or blockages within the ductwork. Any
time the flow of conditioned air is impeded, the system works longer
and harder than necessary.
It is also possible that higher energy costs are the result of
ductwork that passes through an uninsulated space within the
building. Ducts installed in uninsulated spaces can cost building
owners significantly more in energy expenses, since the air outside
the ductwork can affect the temperature of the air inside of it.
Hot air around uninsulated ductwork can warm up the cooler air
inside the duct during the summer, and the same is true for cold air
around ducts transporting heated air in the winter. Having ductwork
pass through an uninsulated section of the building wastes valuable
energy that could otherwise be carried to the appropriate sections
of the building.
The Advance of Time
Most
HVAC systems begin to show signs of physical damage after fifteen to
twenty years of operation.
Older HVAC ducts are less energy efficient, and exposed sections of
ductwork can look unsightly if they have been affected by rust or
corrosion damage.
Older HVAC systems in commercial buildings are often much less
energy efficient than their modern counterparts, even if the
ductwork itself is not damaged. In older buildings, the cavities
between joists were often used as substitutes for proper ductwork at
the time of construction.
This method is not very energy efficient, as a large amount of air
from the HVAC system is lost due to leaks when the air is not
conducted properly. Installing proper ductwork in these areas
ensures efficient airflow and minimizes energy loss from heated or
cooled air that would otherwise dissipate.
Signs of Aging Ductwork
The ZEN Way
ZEN provides a comprehensive array of products for HVAC contractors
and large construction projects.
In addition to
Spiral Ductwork, ZEN features
Double Wall Spiral,
Rectangular Ductwork,
PCD Ductwork, and
Specialty Ductwork.
Replacing a commercial building’s ductwork
doesn’t have to be a complicated process. Since 1999, ZEN Industries
has provided commercial ductwork solutions for contractors, building
owners, project managers, and architects that combine 21st century
technology with proven reliable ductwork fabrication.
Our
ZEN
M.E.P. shop drawings are delivered up to 50% faster than our
competitors, while still maintaining SMACNA precision standards. Our
process eliminates wasted materials by ensuring that each ductwork
component precisely fits into its designated location. Virtual 3D
blueprints and CAD drawings help you visualize exactly how duct will
be installed, minimizing mistakes.
ZEN
Industries makes it easy for our customers to quote more jobs
with more efficiency, thanks to our Automated HVAC production
requests that stop duplication during the estimating process.
By partnering with us, you gain the ability
to provide more accurate quotes faster than ever before.
QuoteExpress™ and QuickPen Autobid® integration allows HVAC
contractors the option to integrate ZEN’s HVAC fabrication pricing
with their own estimating software, simplifying the bidding process.
ZEN Industries helps you turn over more projects and win more in the
process.
Success is All About Great Service
Founded in 1999 on a set of unbreakable core principles, ZEN
strives to provide top-quality fabrication, advice, and planning for
our customers.
The quality of our HVAC duct work is of the highest caliber and
our price is competitive with the best in the industry. Of course,
ZEN Industries Inc. gains its edge with unbeatable service, and
service means people - it's about our experienced personnel and the
relationships we build with each and every customer.
At ZEN Industries, we believe success is all about great service.
Our affordable HVAC shop drawings, estimating services, and duct
fabriction can be reached att 877-600-0274, or visit our
Contact Us
page today!
Learn more at
www.ZENindustries.com
