Should You Replace Ductwork With An AC Unit?
Replacing an AC unit in your home can be a wonderful experience, especially if the old model wasn’t working very well. However, as the AC unit is connected to the air ducts in your home, many people wonder if they can simply replace the AC unit and leave their existing ducts in place.
The quick answer is yes, you can replace an AC unit without updating the ductwork in some cases. However, there are a few circumstances where replacing them might be required, or at least beneficial. Let’s look at three questions you should ask yourself to help you decide whether you should update your home’s ductwork after you replace an AC unit, and then we’ll look at how One Hour Miami can help you.
How Old Are Your Ducts?
The average lifespan of a home’s AC unit is roughly between 10 and 15 years. However, since ducts don’t always need to be replaced when a new unit is installed, the ones in your home could be significantly older. The lifespan of an air duct depends on several factors, including the material.
Here’s a list of common materials used for making air ducts and how long each one usually lasts:
- Sheet metal: 20 to 50 years
- Flexible or “Flex” ducts: 10 to 15 years
- Fiberglass: 15 to 25 years
- Plastic: 20 to 30 years
Of course, these are rough figures, and they can be influenced by things outside of your control, like the outside climate. If there’s no documentation left by previous owners, you might not know how old your ducts are. In that case, you may want them inspected by professionals to determine how much life they still have.
What Duct Size Does Your New Unit Need?
Not all home air ducts are the same, and they’re especially not the same size. Round air ducts can be between 4 and 20 inches in diameter, while rectangular ducts can range from 8×8 to 12×24.
You’ll need to make sure the size of the AC unit (usually measured in tons or BTUs) will work with your existing ducts if you don’t want to replace them. If the ducts are too large, the air pressure will be off, which means that rooms farther away from the unit won’t be cooled properly. If the ducts are too small, you’ll get a hissing noise and potential damage to your new AC.
Both scenarios can cause higher monthly energy bills because the unit isn’t working at peak efficiency. That’s why you must replace any ductwork that isn’t the proper size for your unit. If you aren’t sure, a quality HVAC professional can look at your ducts and determine the correct size.
Is Your Current Ductwork Layout Sufficient?
Finally, you’ll want to consider whether you’re happy with your home’s current ductwork. Maybe you’re tired of that big, ugly air duct in your kitchen or wish the one in the hallway wasn’t so visible. Replacing an AC unit can be a great opportunity to improve your home’s air duct layout, especially if there’s at least one piece you’ve wanted to move for years.
The other part of this question, of course, is whether or not your home’s air ducts still work as well as they should. Maybe you’ve noticed that one of the ducts in the garage seems a little worn out, or maybe the guest bedroom always feels a few degrees hotter than the other rooms.
Although you aren’t required to change your home’s ductwork layout when you replace an AC unit, it can be a great opportunity to move poorly placed or underperforming ducts.
How the Professionals Can Help
Before you replace an AC unit, you may want to contact the professionals to check your home’s ducts, check their condition and location, and rearrange or replace as necessary. They can also install the unit for you to make sure everything’s connected properly and your new AC device operates as efficiently as possible.
This is especially beneficial if you have a large home, a complex duct system, or simply don’t want to do the work yourself. If you don’t have a lot of experience installing AC units, a professional installation can prevent potential costly mistakes caused by an improperly installed device.
They can also look over your existing AC unit and determine whether you actually need a replacement. Your AC unit might only need some routine maintenance or a quick fix, which means you’d be spending money on a new unit while throwing one away that still has a few years of life left in it. A professional can help make sure that a new AC unit is right for you.
Replacing AC Units and Ductwork with Miami One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating
Unless your home’s air ducts are old or worn out, placed inconveniently, or are the wrong size, you shouldn’t have to make any changes to your home’s air duct system when you replace an AC unit. If you aren’t sure about sizing, want an air duct inspection, or have other questions, it’s a good idea to call the professionals.
At Miami One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, our experts can make sure your home’s air ducts are correctly sized and positioned for your new AC unit. We also handle air conditioning maintenance, repair, and installation.
Don’t wait around for the other guys to show up “when they get the chance”. At Miami One Hour, we’re on time, or you don’t pay a dime! If you’re in Miami, Florida, or the surrounding area, and need to replace an AC unit or check your ducts, Miami One Hour is here to help.
FAQ
How long do air ducts typically last?
It depends on the material. Sheet metal ducts can last 20–50 years, fiberglass 15–25 years, plastic 20–30 years, and flexible (“flex”) ducts 10–15 years. Climate and conditions can affect these estimates.
What happens if my ducts are the wrong size for a new AC unit?
Ducts that are too large cause poor air pressure, leaving far-away rooms insufficiently cooled. Ducts that are too small cause hissing noises and can damage the unit. Both scenarios lead to higher energy bills and reduced efficiency.
Is replacing an AC unit a good time to update my ductwork layout?
It can be a great opportunity, especially if certain rooms feel unevenly cooled, ducts are visibly worn, or you’ve wanted to move a poorly placed duct. You’re not required to update the layout, but it’s worth considering while the work is already underway.
Why should I hire a professional for AC and ductwork installation?
Professionals can inspect duct condition, verify correct sizing, reposition poorly placed ducts, and ensure the new unit is installed properly. This is especially valuable for large homes or complex duct systems, and helps avoid costly mistakes from improper installation.
