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My HVAC Hobby


About Me

My HVAC Hobby

Hello, my name is Nigel and I live in New South Wales with my partner and our three kids. I am really interested in HVAC systems. It isn't my job or anything, I just got interested in it. My friends often poke fun at me because of my unusual hobby but I don't mind. It all started when I visited my friend who is an HVAC contractor. He was working on a unit and he started to explain how the different components worked together. I was fascinated and when I got home, I took the cover off my HVAC system and cleaned it out. Since then, I have started to maintain and repair HVAC systems for friends if they can't get hold of a professional. I decided to start this blog to help others.

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Should You Choose Rigid or Flexible Ducting for Your New Commercial Structure?

If you're drawing up plans for a new commercial building, your attention may be turning to air conditioning. You'll certainly need to ensure that this functions correctly in the hot Australian climate but may notice that there are two different product types when it comes to ducting. What's the difference between these solutions, and what should you choose for your project?

Picking the Best Option

For an air conditioning system to distribute cooler air to various parts of the building, you need an efficient and long-lasting ducting system. You can choose between flexible and rigid materials, or in some situations, may combine both products.

Rigid Ducting

If you do not have any space above a ceiling (or even beneath your floor), then it may be better for you to choose rigid ducting. You need to incorporate this design into your blueprints and should work with an expert to ensure that the dimensions are always appropriate for the demand. It's more complex to install this ducting than the flexible alternative, as there is usually no margin for error.

In addition, this type of ducting will weigh a lot more than its counterpart, so you need to make sure you mount it correctly. Rigid ducting features stainless or galvanised steel, but you could also use PVC plastic in some situations.

Flexible Ducting

Most residential homes have flexible ducting, which you will usually find in the attic space. It's very easy to manoeuvre into tight spaces and deal with twists and turns as you connect the compressor to various rooms. Sometimes, fitters will use flexible ducting in a commercial environment to connect the rigid ducting to smaller spaces elsewhere.

Bear in mind that flexible ducting is not as durable as the alternative, and you need to be careful during installation. You also need to ensure that you protect the duct work going forward, as it's easy to puncture. Should this happen, you will certainly lose efficiency. Flexible ducting can be made from a number of different materials, including polyurethane and aluminium.

Weighing the Options

It is certainly easier and cheaper to install flexible ducting, but it may not be as efficient. Due to its inherent design, it's more difficult for the air to flow, leading to additional noise.

Getting Further Help

Talk with an HVAC expert while you are planning. They'll help you choose between rigid and flexible or even advise if a combination would be best in your case.