Understanding How Your HVAC Ductwork Works

Ductwork is an important part of your home’s heating and cooling system. It transports heated or cooled air from the furnace or air conditioner to the different rooms in your house. Without ducts, the furnace or air conditioner would have to be in every room, which would be impractical and expensive.

How Ductwork Works

Ductwork is made up of several components, including supply and return ducts, registers, grilles, and diffusers. The supply ducts bring heated or cooled air from the furnace or air conditioner to the different rooms in your house. The return ducts take the air back to the furnace or air conditioner so that it can be reheated or cooled. The registers are openings in the ductwork that allow the air to flow into the room. The grilles are covers for the registers that help to protect them from damage and keep dust and other debris out of the ductwork. The diffusers are devices that help to distribute the airflow evenly throughout the room.

Here are some of the questions we hear most often about ductwork.

What is HVAC Ductwork Made Of?

Ductwork is typically made of metal, although it can also be made of other materials such as fiberglass or plastic.

Is HVAC Ductwork Expensive?

The cost of ductwork will vary depending on the size and type of ductwork you need. However, it’s typically a relatively inexpensive part of the HVAC system.

Can I Install HVAC Ductwork Myself?

You can try, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Ductwork installation involves precise measurements, proper sealing, and sometimes cutting through walls or floors. A poor installation leads to air leaks, hot and cold spots, and wasted energy. In nearly 70 years of HVAC work across Acadiana, we’ve seen plenty of DIY duct jobs that ended up costing more to fix than a professional install would have cost in the first place.

If you’re building a new home, remodeling, or dealing with uneven temperatures and high energy bills, your ductwork might be the culprit. Here in South Louisiana, leaky ducts also pull in humid attic air, which makes your AC work overtime. Call F & R Air Conditioning at (337) 893-5646 and we’ll take a look at your ductwork to see what’s going on.