How do I prepare for a duct installation day?

Clear a path to the furnace, attic hatch, or basement ceiling where the work will happen, and move storage off the equipment. Expect some drywall or ceiling access if runs have to be added. Ask what will be opened before the crew arrives.

Do commercial buildings need duct service too?

Yes. A.R. Mechanical works on duct systems for offices and commercial spaces in North Bay, including rooftop and packaged units. Poor commercial ducts show up as hot and cold zones, high energy use, and comfort complaints from staff.

How do I know if my ducts are the wrong size?

Signs include rooms that never catch up, whistling registers, a blower that is loud, and a furnace that short cycles. A room-by-room load and a duct measurement are the only reliable check. Square footage alone does not size a duct system.

Should I close vents in unused rooms?

Usually no. Closing too many supply vents raises pressure in the ducts, can freeze an air conditioner coil, and makes the furnace or heat pump work harder. It is better to have the system balanced, or to use a proper zone damper, than to shut registers by hand.

Do you repair crushed or disconnected ducts?

Yes. Flexible duct that has been kinked, stepped on, or left hanging in a crawlspace is a common reason a room never warms up. A.R. Mechanical repairs or replaces damaged runs and reseals the joints.

Can dirty ducts make allergies worse?

Dust in ducts can add to what is already in the house, but the filter, the return leaks, and the indoor humidity usually matter more. A proper filter rack and sealed returns reduce what the system circulates. Duct cleaning helps when debris is actually in the ducts, not as a cure-all for allergies.

Why are my heating vents noisy?

Noise is usually undersized ducts, a blower set too high, a loose register, or a duct that is rubbing a joist. A whistling register is often a closed damper or a restricted return. A.R. Mechanical can measure airflow and correct the restriction instead of only turning the fan down.

How often should an HRV be serviced?

Clean or replace the HRV filters every one to three months in heating season, and have the core and drains checked once a year. A clogged filter is the most common reason an HRV gets noisy or stops moving air.

Why does my HRV ice up in winter?

Ice in an HRV core is common in North Bay cold snaps if the defrost cycle is failing, the filters are clogged, or the unit is oversized for the house. A light frost that clears is normal. A solid ice block needs service. Do not chip the core.

What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?

An HRV transfers heat only and is the usual choice in a cold, dry North Bay winter. An ERV also transfers some moisture, which can help a home that is too dry in winter or too humid in summer. The right unit depends on the house, not a catalogue default.

FAQs - Page 13 of 23 - AR Mechanical

Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
How do I prepare for a duct installation day?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Do commercial buildings need duct service too?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
How do I know if my ducts are the wrong size?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Should I close vents in unused rooms?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Do you repair crushed or disconnected ducts?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Can dirty ducts make allergies worse?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Why are my heating vents noisy?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
How often should an HRV be serviced?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
Why does my HRV ice up in winter?
read more
Categories: Ventilation and Duct Work
What is the difference between an HRV and an ERV?
read more

FAQs