DUCTS
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FUNCTION OF THE DUCTS
The air ducts transfer and distribute the air blown by the blower fan motor through either the heating or the cooling element to the house.
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DUCTS SHOULD BE INSULATED
The amount of cold (or heat) collected by the air just before entering the ducts should optimally be provided to the area to be cooled down (or warmed up) without any loss during its transport. In order to reduce the cool (or heat loss) during the traveling through the ducts, ducts are insulated.
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INSULATION STANDARDS
New standards of insulations have recently been implemented and the minimum insulation required is a rating of R6 in most areas in Southern California. Some areas require even R8 while some are allowed to be below R6 even though we would not recommend the latter.
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AIR LEAKAGE
Beside losing cool (or heat), the air may also get lost on its way when the ducts are not perfectly sealed. Connections between ducts generally hold through duct tape whose glue dries out as time goes by. Older ducts tend to become porous. Altogether studies indicate that ducts that are 10 years or older tend to leak an average of 20% to 30%.
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LOSS OF ENERGY
Loss of cold (or heat) before reaching the office, computer, storage & habitable rooms and loss of air altogether represent major energy losses. Besides who wishes to cool the space over the drop-in ceiling and/or attic down?
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LOSS OF ENERGY and TITLE 24
In order to reduce the loss of energy due to air leakage, title 24 has established strict rules as to the level of air leakage allowed when new HVAC systems are installed whether as a new installation or change out.
In the geographical zones where these rules apply, then the air leakage needs to be below 6% for new building and below 15% in remodelation.
No matters where, Fix My AC, Inc. installs all its ducts the way they should be if they were to pass the HERS inspection. This means that ducts installed by Fix My AC, Inc. are THOROUGHLY SEALED.
Have Fix My AC, Inc. install your air ducts and all the air of your Air Conditioning and Heating system will actually be delivered where it should. You will save in utility bills because we minimize the energy loss.
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HERS INSPECTION
In the geographical zones where Title 24 regulates the air leakage, the contractor installing the new Air Conditioning system needs to make sure the air leakage is below the limit set by Title 24. In the opposite case, the installation will fail the HERS inspection.
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AIR DUCT, VENTILATION AND COMFORT
Central air is all about your comfort.
Proper air distribution is key to this topic and Fix My AC, Inc. makes a point to give you control over the air flow throughout your building or home by using DAMPERS.
This way, installation performed by Fix My AC, will NOT result in some rooms too cool or too hot.
Because adding dampers to the air duct systems requires more material and more labor, it can make this type of installation slightly more pricy than those without. However, you will appreciate the value of your investment when you will enjoy a homogenous temperature throughout your home or business.
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If you have any questions, feel free to call Fix My AC, Inc. at 800-673-4922.
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