Any mechanical system with an air duct will work efficiently if sufficient air passes through without any obstacle. Sometimes, the air flow may be compromised by a number of issues. The issues may be external factors or internal factors. There are two internal factors that are the root cause of air flow problems experienced in the air duct. Identifying the underlying problems will put you in a position to adapt the best cleaning techniques for the air ducts besides reducing the level of the problem. In addition, you will significantly reduce power consumption that increases bills when the appliance works harder.
When there is higher friction in the inner surfaces of the air duct, the air flow will definitely be lower. Air loses energy and speed as it passes through the inner duct surfaces hence slowing down. As this happens, the air pressure also drops drastically. Friction levels in the inner duct surface vary based on the material of the duct, installation of the duct and amount of dirt in it.
For efficient air flow, the material used in making air duct needs to offer a smoother surface. If you find an air duct that is made of a softer and rigid metal, there will less friction in the air duct. Air will not rub on the inner duct surface and tiny dust particles present in the air will not settle on the surface. It is one of the effective ways of making air duct cleaning a simpler task.
Air particles that flow through the air duct may be turbulent. When the air particles rub against each other, they create friction within themselves. Usually, when you turn the air, you end up triggering friction in the air particles. This means that in two different air ducts with distinctive angles for elbow turns, the level of unstable air particles will vary depending on the turning angle. For instance, in an air duct with an elbow turn of 90 degrees, there will be a higher level of turbulence as compared to an elbow turn that is slightly curved. In essence, when picking fittings for the air ducts, you need to find a fitting that will not result in unstable air particles that affect airflow in the ducts.
With a high friction rate in the air ducts, the air pressure drops. Air goes through the ducts while the pressure created at its tail by the fan keeps on moving. With time, the pressure reduces as the air moves further into the duct because of friction and unstable air particles. This usually occurs in all type of ducts, especially if you fail to properly maintain air ducts.
These are some of the essentials that manufacturers put into consideration while producing the best air ducts. The next time you carry out both air duct cleaning or dryer vent cleaning, make a point to ensure that the inner duct surface is smooth and free of any debris or dust particles that will bring down the level of friction.