When it's time to install a new or upgraded HVAC system in your Cincinnati home, you know you're making an investment in your comfort and your home's value. You want to make sure that you get the most bang for your buck -- not just during the initial purchase, but also during the years that you use the system. Properly sizing ducts will help to maximize your monetary savings and your comfort, giving you the best possible return on your investment.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, or ACCA, organization has put out guidelines for contractors to follow when installing ductwork. These guidelines, called Manual D, outline how to calculate duct size correctly for your home. It's not as simple as picking a size and installing. Different rooms in your house have different needs, so the ducts going to those rooms will need to be different as well. A kitchen, for example, is generally larger and needs more air than most bathrooms, and a large bedroom would need more air than a small one.

Furthermore, improperly sizing ducts can leave you with a couple of different problems.

• You will most likely spend more energy dollars than you would if the ducts were sized properly. Incorrectly sized ducts fail to get the right amount of air to the right places. This eventually forces your system to work harder to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat. Your equipment uses more energy, driving up your energy bills. The extra workload can also wear out your heating or cooling system's components, forcing you to get it repaired or replaced.
• Sizing ducts incorrectly can keep you from being comfortable. Whether it's too much air being pumped into a small room or not enough air delivered to a room that is larger or has lots of windows, the end result is that you won't get the temperature you want -- or need.

By working with your contractor to make sure your ducts are properly sized, you can ensure that you have the most cost-effective and comfortable HVAC system possible.

For more information about sizing ducts or other HVAC questions in Butler County or the Greater Cincinnati area, contact Tri-County Heating & Cooling.