Achieving Great Ductwork Design

Installing commercial ductwork is about more than “hanging and banging.” The type of duct chosen for the job, the sizing and length of the runs, the angle of the bends, the selection of connectors and sealant, all make a difference in the quality, lifetime, and cost of the job.

Money and comfort are critical concerns in duct design. Doing it right isn’t just an academic exercise.

The elimination of errors in acquiring the duct, planning for perfect duct runs, using the minimum number of connections, and creating perfect seals creates significant savings. These savings can rise to 30% or more of the traditional cost of duct acquisition and installation.

Savings go beyond initial installation, with ductwork design correlating to the energy efficiency, airflow quality, and expected lifetime of the entire HVAC system.

Attention to every detail counts. Even attention to the delivery can save time and labor costs. At ZEN Industries, for example, our premium service delivers shrink-wrapped duct labeled and ready to fit together as easily as a Lego set.

The Qualities of Exceptional Duct Design

Every contractor should be aware of their responsibilities when it comes to designing an effective HVAC duct installation. These considerations include:

• Duct Sizing. Duct Sizing. A great duct design considers the load requirements of different rooms, with the most common error being to undersize the duct, resulting in inefficient airflow. The industry standard is the Manual D protocol for duct design, developed by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
• The Number and Angle of Bends. In a superior duct installation, bends are as few as possible and the angle of the bends is shallow, increasing the volume of air delivered where it is needed.
• Effective Ductwork Length. Duct length goes hand in hand with the location of the HVAC equipment, with both optimized to move conditioned air throughout the building, even into hard-to-reach areas. Effective length takes into account the friction and turbulence in the duct, mainly caused by connectors and fittings, each of which results in some loss of pressure. Getting it right delivers the airflow needed with a minimum use of energy.
• No Leaks. A good installation has well-supported and properly sealed ducts. Leaks waste energy and increase heating and cooling costs. They create unintended hot and cold spots and help shorten the lifespan of the entire system.
• A Great Return Air System. Whether it is heating or cooling, HVAC pushes air into the rooms throughout its system. Without a well-placed network of return air vents, the increased air pressure would prevent the HVAC from operating effectively, degrading comfort, increasing energy costs, and shortening the lifetime of the system.

Once the duct design has been perfected, where do you turn for quality ductwork at an affordable price, delivered on-time and on-budget? ZEN Industries has been fulfilling the ductwork needs of builders and contractors for over two decades. Call us at 877-600-0274, or visit our Contact Us page today!

It's All About the Math

Installing effective ductwork is as much about the math as it is about the metal. Getting the most out of an HVAC system today takes into account a range of factors, including the orientation of the building, the type and quality of windows, insulation levels, and the design of the building itself – knowing which surfaces of the building are going to gain or lose heat.

Load calculation is the process for determining the right size of HVAC system for the building. The gold standard for calculating load is set forth in Manual J of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).

Ductwork sizing depends on a number of factors, starting with the capacity of the heating/cooling units. It includes the square footage of the building and its individual rooms, the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air flow, and the duct size friction loss rate.

Calculations that used to be ball-parked using pencil and paper are now delivered in high precision by building information specialists using advanced software that weighs a complex array of factors.

At ZEN Industries, we not only deliver quality duct when you need it, we have a division devoted to duct drawings, HVAC estimating, and automating HVAC production requests. You can learn more at ZEN M.E.P.

• Affordable, high-quality duct, fittings, and accessories – delivered on time and within budget.
• Reliable shop drawings delivered up to 50% faster.
• Errors reduced to historic lows while meeting the most demanding specifications.
• Elimination of double data entry and Improved estimating accuracy.
• Assuring that each duct section is precision fit to its location, connections, and support.
  

We work hard to stay ahead of the curve, always striving to help assure the success of your next project.

Would you like to work with an HVAC fabricator that goes beyond high-quality ductwork to deliver the kind of innovation, insight, and process optimization that will save you money and improve your bottom line?

Call us at 877-600-0274, or visit our Contact Us page today!