Professional Ductwork Installation in Santa Clarita, CA
Expert ductwork installation for new homes and HVAC upgrades in Santa Clarita. Proper sizing, sealing, and insulation. Title 24 compliant. Call (661) 238-4148 for free ductwork estimates.
Top-Rated Heating Installation Service in Santa Clarita, CA
Your ductwork system is your home’s circulatory system, delivering heated and cooled air to every room. Properly designed and installed ductwork ensures consistent comfort, maximum energy efficiency, and optimal HVAC system performance. Whether you’re building a new home, adding an addition, replacing an outdated system, or upgrading from window units to central HVAC, professional ductwork installation makes the difference between a system that performs well and one that struggles from the start.
As ductwork specialists serving Santa Clarita Valley, we design and install duct systems that comply with California’s strict Title 24 requirements, minimize energy loss through proper sealing and insulation, deliver balanced airflow to every room, and operate quietly without rattles or whistles. Our systematic approach ensures your ductwork performs optimally for decades.
Why Proper Ductwork Design Matters
The Impact of Poor Ductwork
Many homes suffer from poorly designed or installed ductwork causing significant problems. Duct leakage wastes 20-40% of conditioned air in typical systems, forcing your HVAC system to work harder and increasing energy bills substantially. Unbalanced airflow creates hot and cold rooms with some areas receiving too much air while others receive too little. Undersized ducts restrict airflow causing increased energy consumption and premature HVAC equipment failure. Noise from excessive air velocity, loose connections, or improper supports disrupts comfort. Poor insulation on ducts in unconditioned spaces loses energy to attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
Professional ductwork installation eliminates these problems through proper design, quality materials, and meticulous installation techniques.
California Title 24 Ductwork Requirements
California’s 2025 Building Energy Efficiency Standards effective January 2026 established rigorous ductwork requirements. All new ductwork must meet duct leakage of less than 6% of system airflow verified by HERS testing, insulation values of R-8 for buried ducts or R-11 for exposed ducts in unconditioned spaces, proper duct sizing based on Manual D calculations, sealed connections using mastic or metal-backed tape never standard duct tape, and documented testing showing compliance.
We handle all required testing, documentation, and building department coordination ensuring your ductwork passes inspection without delays or costly revisions.
Electric Heating Systems
Electric resistance heating (including electric furnaces and baseboard heaters) provides an all-electric solution without refrigerant or combustion. While less efficient than heat pumps, electric resistance heating offers simple installation, lower upfront costs, zero emissions at point of use, quiet operation, and minimal maintenance requirements.
Electric heating works well for smaller homes, additions without access to gas lines, backup heating for heat pump systems, and situations where ductwork modification is impractical. However, operating costs are typically higher than gas furnaces or heat pumps due to electricity prices
Dual Fuel Systems
Dual fuel systems combine a heat pump with a gas furnace backup, automatically selecting the most efficient heat source based on outdoor temperature. This hybrid approach provides heat pump efficiency during mild weather, gas furnace backup during extreme cold, optimized energy costs, and maximum reliability.
Dual fuel systems cost more initially but offer exceptional efficiency and flexibility, particularly appealing to homeowners wanting heat pump benefits while maintaining gas backup for peace of mind.
Types of Ductwork Systems
Traditional Trunk and Branch Systems
The most common residential duct configuration uses a large main trunk line distributing air to smaller branch ducts serving individual rooms. This design provides efficient air distribution, flexibility for future modifications, easier balancing and adjustment, and cost-effective installation. We size trunk lines appropriately preventing excessive velocity and pressure drop while ensuring adequate airflow to all branches
Radial Duct Systems
Radial or spider systems run individual ducts from a central plenum directly to each register. Benefits include shorter duct runs reducing friction loss, easier installation in tight spaces, individual room control potential, and minimal air leakage from fewer connections. Radial systems work particularly well in homes with limited attic space or complex layouts.
Zoned Duct Systems
Zoned systems use motorized dampers and multiple thermostats controlling different areas independently. This advanced approach provides independent temperature control for different floors or areas, energy savings by conditioning only occupied zones, improved comfort in homes with varying heating and cooling needs, and solutions for problem areas like bonus rooms or converted garages.
Zoning requires careful design ensuring adequate airflow in all operating modes and proper bypass or variable-speed blower operation preventing excessive pressure
Our Ductwork Installation Process
Step 1: Comprehensive System Design
Proper ductwork begins with thorough design. We perform Manual J load calculation determining heating and cooling needs for each room, Manual D duct design calculations sizing every duct run for optimal airflow, review of home layout identifying best duct routing, assessment of available space in attics walls and floors, and consideration of future flexibility for potential additions.
This engineering approach ensures your duct system delivers the right amount of air to every room without excessive velocity creating noise or insufficient flow causing comfort problems.
Step 2: Material Selection
We use premium ductwork materials appropriate for each application. Rigid sheet metal ducts in main trunk lines provide durability, smooth interiors for efficient airflow, and excellent longevity. Insulated flex duct in branch runs offers easier installation in tight spaces, built-in insulation, and cost-effectiveness for appropriate applications. Rigid insulated ductboard in straight runs provides excellent insulation values and acoustic properties. All materials meet or exceed California Title 24 requirements and manufacturer specifications.
Step 3: Professional Installation
Our certified installers follow strict quality standards ensuring optimal performance. Installation includes proper support every 4-6 feet preventing sagging, sealed connections at every joint using mastic sealant, proper insulation with no gaps or compression, straight runs minimizing restrictions and turbulence, appropriate register placement for even distribution, return air pathways sized adequately, and clean installation protecting duct interiors from construction debris.
We work efficiently while maintaining meticulous attention to detail, completing most residential ductwork installations in 2-4 days depending on system size and complexity.
Step 4: Testing and Verification
Every ductwork installation undergoes comprehensive testing. HERS certified raters perform duct leakage testing using specialized equipment measuring total and outside leakage, ensuring results meet Title 24 requirements of less than 6% total leakage. We conduct airflow measurement at all registers verifying balanced distribution and adequate volume. Visual inspection confirms proper insulation, support, and sealing throughout the system. We provide detailed documentation required for building department approval and utility rebate programs
Ductwork for Different Applications
New Construction
Building a new home provides the opportunity for optimal duct design and installation. We work with builders and homeowners during the planning phase to ensure duct pathways are incorporated into framing, adequate space is allocated for equipment and ducts, penetrations are planned for minimal impact, and efficient routing minimizes material and energy waste. Early involvement prevents costly modifications later and ensures the best possible system.
Home Additions and Remodels
Adding rooms requires extending your duct system or installing supplemental systems. We evaluate existing system capacity determining if current equipment can handle additional load, design duct extensions properly sized for new spaces, assess impact on system balance and airflow, and recommend solutions from simple extensions to zone systems or separate equipment as needed.
Retrofits and Upgrades
Homes originally built without central HVAC can be retrofitted with ductwork. Creative solutions include utilizing closets for vertical chases, routing ducts through attics or crawl spaces, installing soffits in hallways concealing ducts, and using compact duct systems in very tight spaces. While more challenging than new construction, experienced installers can add ductwork to most homes with minimal visual impact.
Ductwork Materials and Insulation
Sheet Metal Ducts
Galvanized steel sheet metal provides the most durable ductwork with smooth interiors for excellent airflow, resistance to crushing or damage, long lifespan often exceeding 50 years, and compatibility with all HVAC systems. Metal ducts require external insulation in unconditioned spaces but offer superior performance and longevity.
Flexible Ducts
Insulated flexible ducts consist of plastic inner liner, insulation layer, and protective outer jacket. Properly installed flex duct provides adequate performance at lower cost, easier installation in confined spaces, built-in insulation, and flexibility accommodating irregular paths. However, flex duct requires careful installation maintaining smooth turns, proper support preventing sagging, and avoiding compression or kinks restricting airflow.
Insulated Ductboard
Rigid fiberglass ductboard combines structure and insulation in one product providing excellent insulation values, acoustic benefits reducing noise transmission, resistance to condensation, and cost-effective straight runs. Ductboard works well for main trunk lines in attics and other unconditioned spaces
Why Choose Us for Ductwork Installation
We’re ductwork specialists with extensive experience designing and installing systems for Santa Clarita’s varied housing stock. Our team includes licensed contractors and certified HERS raters, ensuring compliance with all Title 24 requirements and proper testing documentation. Every installation receives meticulous attention including proper sizing based on engineering calculations, quality materials meeting or exceeding code requirements, professional sealing achieving minimal leakage, adequate insulation for energy efficiency, and comprehensive testing verifying performance. We stand behind our work with workmanship warranties and maintain all required insurance and bonding.
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Honest Pricing & Quality Work
Serving Santa Clarita Valley
We provide expert ductwork installation throughout Santa Clarita including Valencia, Newhall, Canyon Country, Saugus, Stevenson Ranch, Castaic, and Agua Dulce. Our local expertise ensures designs appropriate for our climate and building characteristics.
CITIES WE SERVE:
Santa Clarita – Full-Service HVAC Solutions
Valencia – AC & Heating Repair Specialists
Newhall – Climate Control Experts
Canyon Country – Furnace Installation & Repair
Saugus – Emergency HVAC Services
Stevenson Ranch – New System Installation
Castaic – Maintenance & Tune-Ups
Agua Dulce – Ductwork & Air Quality Services
Don’t see your area? We also serve nearby communities in Northern Los Angeles County. Call to confirm service availability: (661) 238-4148
Licensed, Bonded & Insured | Serving Santa Clarita Valley Since Day One | Same-Day Estimates Available
Get Started Today
Planning a new HVAC system or home addition? Contact us for a free consultation and ductwork design proposal. We’ll ensure your duct system delivers optimal comfort and efficiency. 📞 Call (661) 238-4148 for Professional Ductwork Installation