Hello,
I saw an old thread that may still be true but I thought it best to ask in case things have changed. I was planning a 2700 square foot single floor house with a basement. I was estimating 14″ floor joists.
Sometimes I see videos where the ductwork is round and sometimes rectangular. I have no idea how you determine if you need high or a low pressure solution.
I know almost nothing about air handling systems – grew up in a house with oil and everyone I knew used oil. Central air was pretty much unheard of for people we knew.
I realize I’ll need to talk to an HVAC person at some point but I’d like to at least know some things first.
Does a central duct usually get run through the length of the house with branches coming from it or does it split before it makes it into the floor joists reducing the dimensions required for it? I’m concerned I need deeper trusses but am worried if I go too deep it will change a lot about the construction of the house.
I’ve seen some trusses that have a rectangular central chase that doesn’t have any diagnal boards going through it for ductwork – not sure if this is common or requires bracing underneath.
Replies
HVAC design has many options, the solutions vary in original expense, and in performance (do they result in comfortable, quiet, efficient operation?)
A discussion with an HVAC person may be worthwhile. (you can offer to take them to lunch if you like).
Almost all trusses are custom engineered products. They can be designed to include space for the HVAC ducts, and for any special loads you anticipate (hot tub in the living room?) Truss design starts with the loads, stiffness and spans, and provides a solution that combines various sizes and grades of wood members and the connections to provide a solution.
LOL - I love the idea of a friendly lunch in exchange. A hot tub in the living room - OH BEHAVE! GROOVY BABY!
Very interesting suggestion. I"m seeing some manufacturers do indeed make custome ones and some make uniform ones. I need to think about the right solution. The other is to run the ductwork under the trusses however I have a carrying beam/support header underneat the center of the trusses (I'm splitting them to make them more shallow as the house is 36' accross and I want very little deflection). Do you know if they make special braced steel holes in support headers?
Sorry for the extensive questions but I do like to learn and it seems no matter what direction I turn there is much I don't know.