The Main Principles of HVAC Ductwork Design in a Commercial Building

02 December 2021

Commercial buildings are designed to keep businesses running. Through integrating offices and stores on these buildings, business owners are expected to gain revenues, secure more clients or customers, and provide a productive workplace for their employees.

These accompanying benefits of commercial buildings, however, can only be achieved if they possess various systems. One of these systems is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

HVAC systems must be maximised by commercial buildings as they can regulate their temperature, provide quality air to rooms and spaces, and prevent people from getting sick. These systems work effectively with ductwork, which is often utilised in distributing airflow throughout these buildings. Keep in mind that for HVAC systems to work effectively, they must be paired with a good ductwork design. A good ductwork design for the HVAC systems can be achieved by following these principles:

Proper Sizing

One main principle that must be followed in designing the HVAC ductwork is proper sizing. A ductwork design can be considered good if it can adequately cater to the heating and cooling needs of the entire commercial building. If the ductwork is too small, then it might not be able to transfer the heated or cooled air to some spaces or areas of the building. If the ductwork is too large, on the other hand, then it might only lead to air loss, which can waste and consume tons of energy.

Equal Airflow

Another principle that must be considered is equal airflow. Both supply and return airflow of the HVAC must be similar to the installed ductwork components. The supply airflow of the HVAC system pertains to the heated or cooled air that is being distributed to the building. The return airflow of the same system, alternatively, is the air being sent to the system so it can be filtered and distributed again. A properly designed ductwork ensures that both types of airflow will be similar in terms of their overall amount.

Configuration

Aside from sizing and airflow situation, a ductwork design can be considered good if it has the correct configuration. Most of the time, a standard duct configuration can already carry out the needs of commercial buildings owners as it is efficient and effective. A standard duct configuration puts the HVAC system components in the centre while the ducts and other ductwork components are distributed outward. This configuration allows the whole building to be regulated by the HVAC system.

Overall Setup

One more principle that must be considered when designing the ductwork is its overall setup. From its installation location down to its insulation and sealing, every aspect of the ductwork setup is considered heavily to prevent energy loss, HVAC system performance issues, and wasted resources. Ductwork components must be in areas where extreme temperatures are present. Proper sealing and insulation must likewise be applied to ductwork so it can carry out its functions well.

To know more about HVAC ductwork design, you can call us at Redrock Contracting.

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