The location of your heat ducts may look like a minor detail. However, you shouldn’t consider it as an afterthought because it can have a significant impact on your heating costs and comfort. So which is the better location for your duct openings between the ceiling and floor? Let’s compare and contrast them.
Geographic Location
Both ceiling and floor ducts supply warm or cooled air. But considering the fact that heat tends to rise while cool air sinks, floor ducts are preferred in places where heating needs prevail. That’s because after they deliver heat at the floor level, the air rises and warms the rest of your room. Ceiling ducts provide better cooling potential, hence are the more effective choice in areas where cooling predominates.
Efficiency
The heat delivered by ceiling ducts reaches the upper part of your room first, so your HVAC system will have to work harder to move the heat to the lower parts of the room. Floor ducts tend to heat rooms more efficiently.
However, you can improve the heating efficiency of ceiling ducts by using them together with ceiling fans rotating in a reverse slow motion. The fans help push heat downward to warm the entire room.
Compatibility with Radiant Heat
A radiant heating system heats your home from the floor. Therefore, it can’t be used with ceiling ducts.
Interior Design
Ceiling ducts are conspicuous and difficult to camouflage. Floor ducts are less visible. You can camouflage them with vent covers that blend seamlessly with carpeting, hardwood, or tile flooring.
Floor ducts affect furniture arrangement, especially in small rooms. You must avoid blocking the floor vents. Ceiling ducts free up your floor space and allow you to arrange your furniture as you please.
Whether you choose to place your heat ducts and vents in the ceiling, floor, or both locations, they’ll deliver excellent efficiency and comfort only if sized properly and installed correctly. To learn more about heat ducts, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. Since 1978, Dayton residents have counted on us to provide solutions to all their heating and cooling needs.
