What Happens During a Duct Retrofit

Many homes were built before central air was common. In these cases, HVAC companies have retrofitted ducts and HVAC systems to provide interior comfort and temperature control. If your home currently has no ductwork or a poorly designed duct plan, you may be wondering about duct retrofits. The duct retorfit process isn’t simple, but it provides many Hamptstead, North Carolina, homeowners with satisfaction and extra comfort.

Examine the House

We have to examine your home to assess if it’s possible to retrofit ductwork. We look at your basement, attic, and crawl space to figure out if there’s enough room to access and install ducts. While many homes have enough room for a duct retrofit, some don’t. If your home doesn’t have adequate space for a duct network, we can propose other solutions like ductless mini-split systems that will offer heating and cooling while fitting your space better.

It’s better to nix the ducts if your home isn’t suitable for central air. A poorly installed duct system will cost you lots in energy bills without adding value or good temperature control to your home. If reputable HVAC service technicians tell you your home isn’t suited for a retrofit, listen.

Create a Duct Plan

Once we’ve looked at your home, we’ll create a plan for the ductwork. This includes mapping how the ducts will connect inside your home, deciding where to cut the supply and return vent holes, and calculating the duct length and insulation. We decide where to put the air handler, outdoor unit and furnace, too.

Our service technicians will also size the HVAC system so you get the right amount of heating and cooling for your home’s square footage. Be sure to ask about zoned heating and cooling, too. The duct installation process is the best time to install the duct dampers and extra thermostats that allow you to change the temperature in different parts of the house. 

Cut Vent Holes

We’ll cut holes in your drywall and ceilings, making way for the duct supply and return vents. Depending on how your home is laid out, we may have to cut bigger access points into the drywall in the basement or attic so we can install the actual ductwork. If this is the case, the service technician will talk to you about the specifics of your installation.

Install the HVAC System

Before connecting all the ductwork, we need something to connect it to. We need to install the air handler, outdoor condenser and furnace during a retrofit. For air handlers, we usually create an insulated closet. Furnaces often live in basements, and the outdoor unit will go outside your house. Our team will discuss options with you, ensuring the unit is in the least bothersome place.

We’ll install the thermostat and teach you how to program it; we’ll show you where the air filter goes; and we’ll talk with you about what kind of air filter you need for your system.

Connect the Ducts

We lay the ductwork and connect everything to the indoor unit. The ducts get sealed together and attached in place. Any flex ductwork is properly secured so it doesn’t unnecessarily bend. A proper installation at this stage prevents air loss, which can affect the temperature in your home and increase your energy bills.

Living with a bad duct system, window AC units or no temperature control isn’t fun. If this is your home, it’s time to explore a duct retrofit for central air. Take the first step to securing more home comfort and a better HVAC system by calling Gideon Heating and Air at (910) 447-2905.

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