Asked by: Alana Gospodinov
home and garden indoor environmental quality

What is a crossover duct?

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crossover duct: a duct connecting the plenums of the two sides of a double-wide mobile home. plenum: the piece of duct work connecting the furnace to the supply ducts; it has a fairly constant pressure throughout its length.


Correspondingly, how do you replace a crossover duct?

How to Install Crossover Heat Ducts

  1. Determine how much flex duct you will need.
  2. Once you have measured the proper amount of flex duct, put on gloves and cut through the jacket and insulation with a knife or scissors.
  3. Place the collar on the flex duct and secure it to the main duct.
  4. Replace and secure the insulation.
  5. Ensure maximum air flow.

Subsequently, question is, how long can you run flex duct? E. Flexible duct shall be supported at manufacturer's recommended intervals, but at no greater distance than four feet. Maximum permissible sag is 1/2 inch per foot of spacing between supports.

Also to know is, what is better flex duct vs hard duct?

Flex ducts are better for existing trunk-and-branch heating and cooling systems. This is because they're more versatile and flexible. Metal ducts are more rigid due to the nature of steel, making them ideal to build an entire HVAC system. In comparison to metal duct, flex duct is easier and faster to install.

Is flex duct bad?

Problems with flex duct Mostly the installation is pretty bad. In new Energy Star homes or EarthCraft Houses, it's usually better, but I don't think I've ever seen one that made me step back and say, “Now that's how you install flex duct.” The most common problems I see with flex are: Kinks and sharp turns.

Related Question Answers

Aladina Peltsman

Professional

How do you bend ductwork?

Bending the Metal
Bending and crafting the metal into ductwork requires you to use a lock former machine. Follow the measurements on the metal to bend it at each mark. You will have a ¼-inch lip on the duct when it is finished. Use a sheet metal hammer to clamp this down and lock the duct into place.

Yahya Brnia

Explainer

How can I increase the airflow in my house?

  1. Open doors and windows. This is the most simple and obvious way to immediately improve the indoor air circulation.
  2. Install exhaust fans, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
  3. Run ceiling fans and window fans.
  4. Install an attic vent, if you do not already have one.

Sanda Krottenthaler

Explainer

Does Flex duct reduce airflow?

Friction is the enemy of airflow. Unlike rigid ducts, which are cut to length within a tolerance of 1 inch or less, it's easy to cut a length of flexible duct that's several feet longer than is needed to get from point A to point B [2A]. That creates slack in the duct, which reduces airflow for two reasons.

Isora Luriya

Pundit

Can you use flex duct return air?

Re: Flex Duct on Return Air Diffusers - Yes or No? Flex duct effectively creates a tight radius elbow where it turns into the top of a diffuser. The high pressure loss is further increased because the flex fabric gathers at the inside of the throat and reduces the effective diameter.

Birute Sanchez Carnerero

Pundit

Should I replace metal duct with flexible?

Metal duct can still be found in many older homes, but flexible duct is more prevalent in newer homes. Both work well. Still, should you decide to change from metal to flexible duct, don't waste money on an HVAC contractor. It's a time-consuming job, but definitely one you can do yourself.

Kalilou Pisoeiro

Pundit

How do I know what size flex duct I need?

How to Size a Flex Duct
  1. Measure the length and width of the room where the flex duct will be supplying the air. Multiply the length and width together to get the square footage of the room.
  2. Figure out the amount of CFM that is required for the room.
  3. Use the online duct calculator (see References) and calculate the needed flex duct size.

Alvara Aroza

Pundit

Should ductwork be replaced after 20 years?

“If your ductwork is over 15 years old, you probably should replace it. Ductwork has a maximum lifespan of 20-25 years. By 15 years, however, it begins to deteriorate, significantly reducing your HVAC system's efficiency, so replacement is the prudent option.”

Naouel Armental

Pundit

What is the best material for ductwork?

Galvanized steel and aluminum are the most common materials for sheet metal ducts. Aluminum in particular is relatively light and easy to install. They are also the least likely to harbor dangerous molds or growths because they have non-porous surfaces.

Jianyi Lutjens

Teacher

Can I replace ductwork myself?

Yes, having punctures in your ductwork due to pests is something that necessitates getting those ducts replaced, or at least repaired, and, yes, it is also a really tough job for you to take on yourself.

James Lopez De Silanes

Teacher

What are the different types of ductwork?

There are three main types of rigid ductwork: sheet metal ducts, fiberglass lined ducts, and fiberboard ducts. Sheet Metal Ducts: Sheet metal ducts are usually made of either galvanized steel or aluminum.

Manolita Lunbier

Reviewer

How do you install a flexible air duct?

How to Install Insulated Flex Duct
  1. Measure the distance between the plenums or collars where the flexible duct installs.
  2. Roll back the plastic or foil jacket and the fiberglass lining approximately 8 to 12 inches from the inner core.
  3. Spread a thin layer of mastic glue onto the beaded end of the plenum or metal collar.

Weihua Yaimov

Reviewer

How do you seal a flex duct?

Seal the duct-collar junctions with mastic. Pull insulation wrapped in vapor barrier over the connections and seal seams with both UL-181-approved tape and mastic. Do not compress the insulation.

Sang Bonfanti

Reviewer

What is flex duct made of?

Flexible ducts (also known as flex) are typically made of flexible plastic over a metal wire coil to shape a tube. They have a variety of configurations. In the United States, the insulation is usually glass wool, but other markets such as Australia, use both polyester fibre and glass wool for thermal insulation.

Dilip Alexnader

Supporter

Does Flex duct sweat?

It's also possible for ducts to sweat at the exit point of the air leaking from the duct. This is common at poorly fitting or poorly sealed flex duct starting collars, and is especially true in cool crawlspaces. The trunk duct surface around the leaking starting collar will be chilled, and will sweat.

Aldegunda Embleton

Supporter

Can you cut Flexible ducting?

Installation Tips & Tricks — To cut flexible duct, use a steak knife from your kitchen drawer to cut through the outside jacket, fiberglass insulation and inner plastic core. Then cut the wire with a pair of wire cutters.

Viola Vyjutovich

Supporter

Can flex duct be used in crawl space?

Flex duct is commonly used in crawl spaces. That said it is vulnerable to punctures, animals and other hazards. Animals have no particular reason the chew the ducts, but sometimes they will anyway. Flex duct is cheaper to install than hard duct, and (at least initially) it is easier to make it not leak.

Samay Tsebrikov

Beginner

What are flex ducts?

Flex duct has an inner liner made of plastic. and a wire spiral. When it's not pulled tight, the inside surface has a very high air resistance. High air resistance means reduced air flow.

Nicolo Adolph

Beginner

Is insulated ducting better?

Without proper ductwork insulation, you could be losing 10-30% of the energy used to heat or cool your home. A good level of ductwork insulation will prevent not only energy wastage, but also leaks, temperature drops, and condensation buildup.

Eliria Zherebin

Beginner

When was flex duct invented?

No. 414,984, filed Dec. 1, 1964, now abandoned entitled Flexible Duct. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a flexible insulated duct for the conduction of gaseous fluids.