How far can HVAC duct run?

Author: Mazie Orn  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Following these concepts can help with any flexible ductwork installation job. However, the IAPMO passed a ruling stating that flexible piping should be no longer than five feet for residential properties.

What is the duct 2 foot rule?

Ductwork that Delivers. Use the “Rule of Two Feet” • No take-offs within 24” of trunk end-cap, • Never locate a takeoff in the end-cap, • Limit trunk-lines to 24 ft in length.

What is the maximum length of a vent duct?

The maximum length of the exhaust duct does not include the transition duct. This means that vents should also be as straight as possible and cannot be longer than 35 feet. Any 90-degree turns in the vent reduce this 35-foot number by 5 feet, since these turns restrict airflow.

What is the maximum length of ducting without fan assistance?

1) Length of duct run up to 3 metres – if your duct run is longer than 3 metres consider using a centrifugal or mixed flow impeller fan which are designed for this situation.

What is the rule of thumb for HVAC ducting?

How to Detemine the correct size Heating system and Furnace. The HVAC Duct Sizing Rule of Thumb. As a general rule of thumb, the diameter of your HVAC duct should be no less than 125% of the width of your furnace outlet.

Flex vs. Metal vs. Duct Board: Differences and Use Cases

Is it better to undersize or oversize ductwork?

Just as oversized ducting can wreak havoc on your heating and cooling systems, so can undersized ductwork. When the ducting is too small for the specific HVAC system that you have, air flowing through it will start to back up. The air pressure within the ductwork will become higher.

What is the max recommended length of flexible duct?

However, the IAPMO passed a ruling stating that flexible piping should be no longer than five feet for residential properties. After review, it was extended to six feet, but it could still cause issues with a project if you can't use flexible ducts.

How long can range hood ducting be?

For optimum performance, make sure that the air duct is short and straight, with a maximum length of 50 linear feet. Long radius elbows are preferred to short radius elbows for better air intake. Note: Each elbow is equivalent to 10 linear feet of duct.

Does duct length affect CFM?

Excessive Length

Longer ducts can increase the size of the air handler needed to supply the same cubic feet per minute (cfm), or the HVAC system may not be able to supply the designed cfm to all locations.

How long can a vent run be?

It depends on the size. a 1.5 inch vent can run 20 feet in the horizontal. A 2″ vent can run 40 feet in the horizontal. However you can increase it by 1 pipe size over what is required and run indefinitely.

How far can a vent run horizontal?

If you have 1 ¼-inch pipe, the horizontal distance of the vent should not be more than 30 inches. For a 1 ½-inc pipe the vent should be 42 inches away at the most while a 2-inch pipe must have a maximum distance of 5 feet.

How many years do ducts last?

Ductwork typically requires replacement every 10-15 years, and delaying this can compromise airflow and energy efficiency. Visible and subtle signs, including excessive dust, strange noises, and increases in energy bills, can indicate deteriorating ductwork that needs repair or replacement.

How much CFM is lost per foot of ductwork?

When setting up a ventilation system we typically figure a 7% loss in CFM for every 25 ft. when using flexible ducting (a 3% loss if using metal duct pipe). You should also factor a 3% loss for every 90 degree bend in your ductwork.

How many return ducts are allowed in a duct system?

Having a number of return vents (preferably one in every room, but also 2 or three is far better than just one) creates regular air pressure. If you have one return vent, your house is great. Maintain the doors to every room open so air can properly flow.

Does increasing duct size increase air flow?

The key takeaway here is that air moves from a larger to a smaller duct, the velocity increases. When it moves from a smaller to a larger duct, the velocity decreases. In both cases, the flow rate — the amount of air moving through the duct, in cubic feet per minute — stays the same.

What is 100% effective duct length?

This is called 100-percent effective duct length. As a rule of thumb, the effective length of outlet ducting should be no less than 2.5 duct diameters when duct velocity is 2,500 fpm (13 m/s) or less. For every additional 1,000 fpm (5 m/s), one duct diameter should be added.

How fast should air come out of a vent?

The recommended airflow for each room is typically 50 cubic feet per minute.

What is the maximum distance for a range hood vent?

A: The maximum length will be 50 feet (depending on model and installation).

Is it OK to use flexible duct for range hood?

Using flexible duct for a range hood is generally not recommended. Range hoods are designed to effectively remove smoke, odors, and grease particles from the cooking area, and using the right type of ducting is crucial for optimal performance and safety.

How many cfm do I need for a 36 gas range?

How many CFM do I need for a 36” gas range? Take the total BTUs of your cooktop by adding up the BTUs of each burner and divide that by 100 to get the CFM. So, if your range produces a total of 60,000 BTUs, your range hood must be at least 600 CFM.

How long can you run a flexible duct?

Typically, well-installed and properly maintained flex ductwork can endure for 15 to 25 years. However, several considerations can influence this lifespan: 1.

What is the maximum length of a duct?

There is a difference between "flexible air duct" and "flexible air connector." Flexible air duct has no limit to allowable length, while flexible air connectors are limited to a maximum distance of 14 feet per IMC.

Is flex duct better than hard duct?

Flexible ducts are made of lightweight materials and quick and easy to install. This means they're a cheaper alternative to rigid ductwork and there's less downtime during installation. The other advantage to flexible ducts is they can be formed to fit in areas where it's impossible to install rigid ducts.

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