HVAC Contributor
Despite being in use for more than 40 years, Alumaflex Ducting (AFC) is still among the top methods for insulating homes today. In fact, because of its low profile, toughness, and simplicity of installation, it is growing in popularity. Most significantly, AFC duct systems give homeowners confidence that their HVAC system will run for many years while being economical, easy to install, and sturdy.
The Origin Of Aluminum flex
David Regan created the first aluminum flexible duct back in 1975. Although he had intended for this ground-breaking product to act as a heat exchanger, it soon became apparent that Alumaflex would not only become the preferred ductwork, but would also offer the best soundproofing. After extensive testing and refinement, the company began manufacturing Alumaflex in 1979 in response to the enormous demand that this discovery had generated. Alumaflex is being produced in factories across Europe and North America. Ventilation fans, heating and cooling equipment, and even HVAC components like grilles, dampers, valves, and filters are all produced in these plants.
Today, a lot of people don’t know how to install Alumaflex ductwork correctly, but fortunately, you can do it yourself without any particular knowledge or equipment. A pair of pliers and some simple hand tools are all you need.
Since Alumaflex is more flexible than stiff metal duct, it may move more easily in response to temperature fluctuations. This means that you should not be concerned about duct condensation if you live in a hot region and your air conditioner is not always running. Simply open the damper when you’re ready to use your air conditioner to let the air through – no drop, no mold! Additionally, this ducting enables you to run your heater continuously even if you ever find yourself without power. Additionally, installing this kind of ducting is simple. Due to its superior quality and straightforward installation, aluminum flex ducting is frequently utilized in commercial structures. Alumaflex has advantages over other materials in terms of heat transfer efficiency, durability, affordability, resistance to corrosion, ease of installation, and maintenance.
A flexible air duct system that can endure high temperatures is called Alumaflex. While aluminum is much easier to deal with, metal ducting cannot withstand very high temperatures. As a result, the decision should take into account the temperature range to which your home is subjected. A metal duct system may be the ideal option if you live in a cold area because it won’t expand or contract too much. However, Alumaflex performs effectively in regions with seasonal temperature variations.
It’s excellent that Alumaflex (aluminum flex) ducts can withstand high temperatures while still offering good airflow. But if your home has hardwood floors, you shouldn’t use metal ducts. Aluminum ducts can become corroded over time by hardwoods, which can lead to leaks and rips, especially after a lot of rain. If these metals need to be replaced, it will be expensive and may result in other issues.
For homeowners, aluminum ducts are a fantastic option. They can be installed in a few different methods. Many individuals always want to take the absolute smallest amount of time necessary to build their own systems that work hard for them since they produce such long-lasting, trustworthy, easy to clean, healthy, and energy-efficient HVAC systems.
With the use of flexible duct, specialized duct sections, and modular ductworks, aluminum ducting enables homeowners to design their own duct solutions and create ductworks. They only use the best tools and manpower when creating their own ducting. Aluminum Ducts has established a reputation for creating some of the greatest ductworks in the business thanks to their dedication to client satisfaction and high caliber product design and manufacturing.
The ease of installation when employing ductwork is a significant advantage. Cutting holes in the drywall and bolting together ducting panels from the inner wall space are all that’s needed to run ductwork, unlike running electricity through conduit. These gaps can then be quickly filled in the future. There are no sharp edges, and neither gas piping nor electrical wire needs to be removed. This makes duct installation much simpler.
The question often comes up whether the ducts should be metal or plastic?
When it comes to ducting, there are really just two choices: metal or plastic. Commercial structures frequently contain metal, but not residential ones. Typically, residential settings would be filled with plastic.
Let’s start by discussing the benefits and drawbacks of each material.
Metal is perfect for the building business due to its various benefits. It is extremely robust and is easily made into any shape required. However, it weighs more than plastic and needs a bigger aperture to be installed because of this. This makes it challenging to get through tight locations like crawlspaces and attics, etc. It may be necessary to remove the old duct material to place it through an existing duct cavity.
Compared to metal, plastic is more portable and requires less upkeep. It can be put in more compact holes and is considerably simpler to handle through confined spaces. Additionally, it costs a lot less than metal. It can, however, eventually degrade since it is less robust.
How many purposes ducts in our homes serve will reveal the answer to this query. Aluminum ductwork that was utilized in older buildings has rusted over time and is not the best material for air movement. As a result, they may result in health issues, particularly for those who are allergicly sensitive.
They do not rust with time in more recent structures, including those made with steel ducts, although there are still certain downsides. Because steel ducts are heavier than aluminum ducts, your home will need more energy to heat or cool it. Additionally, if your home uses forced air for heating, the ducts may build pressure and push hot and cold air into the space at different periods. Asthma episodes and general discomfort may result from this.
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