Mission Accomplished Heating and Cooling and common Havasu air conditioning issues

[dezertrider]

Whats up RDP. I created some content for our web site and thought a few on here could be interested in this because it is such an issue in Havasu. One of the biggest issues in Havasu and surronding areas is poor ducting istallations. Why? 1. Lake Havasu city does not have any requirments about installing residential air conditioners 2. The builders dont care about quality ony price. What does this cause? Poorly installed AC systems from a guy who learned how to do it wrong from his previous employer who he then steals his customers to do it cheaper and more wrong .

There are few RDP'rs that we have fixed ducting issues for and all are very happy they did the work. We are in the process reducting the entire house

How to Spot and Fix Ductwork Issues in Your Home

If you've noticed big temperature differences between rooms in your house or your return air duct sounds more like a jet engine than a gentle breeze, you might have a ductwork problem. These were the exact issues I faced in my one-year-old home—and as an HVAC professional with over 30 years of experience, I knew something wasn't right from day one. Here’s what I learned and how I fixed it, so you can look out for the same signs in your own home.

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The Warning Signs​

1. Room-to-Room Temperature Differences
   In my home, the thermostat would read a comfortable 74°F, but my office would be 84°F. A 10-degree difference like this is a classic sign of poorly designed or undersized ductwork.
2. Excessive Noise from the Return Air Duct
   When your return air duct hits noise levels around 68 decibels—like mine did—it’s too loud. This is often a sign that the system is working harder than it should due to restrictions in airflow.

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Understanding the Problem​

When I bought my home, I suspected the ducting was undersized, and I was right. Undersized ductwork creates resistance to airflow, causing uneven temperatures and excessive noise. On top of that, the heat load calculation (a measurement of how much heating or cooling your home actually needs) showed my home required a 3-ton system. Yet, the builder had installed a 5-ton system. Oversizing the HVAC unit can lead to short cycling, poor humidity control, and reduced comfort.

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The Solution: Proper Design​

To fix the issue, I conducted a Manual J, D, and S, which are industry-standard calculations for designing HVAC systems:

• Manual J: Calculates the home’s heating and cooling needs based on factors like insulation, windows, and square footage.
• Manual D: Designs the ductwork to deliver the right amount of air to each room.
• Manual S: Ensures the HVAC unit is the right size for the home’s needs.

Using these calculations, we:

• Replaced the undersized ducts with properly sized ones to improve airflow and reduce noise.
• Matched the system size to the home’s heat load (3 tons instead of 5 tons).

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Why This Matters​

Proper duct design isn’t just about comfort. It can:

• Lower energy bills by ensuring your HVAC system isn’t overworking.
• Extend equipment life by reducing unnecessary wear and tear.
• Improve air quality by eliminating hot and cold spots that trap dust and allergens.

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How You Can Spot Issues in Your Home​

Even if you’re not an HVAC expert, you can watch for these signs:

• Uneven temperatures between rooms.
• Noisy ducts that make it hard to hear conversations or relax.
• High energy bills with no clear explanation.

If you notice any of these issues, it’s time to call a qualified HVAC professional. Ask them to perform a heat load calculation and check your duct design to ensure your system is properly sized and balanced.

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Final Thoughts

When it comes to HVAC systems, bigger isn’t always better, and ductwork is more than just pipes carrying air. By addressing these issues, you can ensure your home is comfortable, efficient, and quiet. If you think you might have a similar problem, don’t wait—get it checked out!

For more resources on HVAC system design and diagnostics, visit the National Comfort Institute.

 

[dezertrider]

Some of the air conditioning guys on the board will understand this one. This is some creation they made and part of the problem with my ear distribution

Here’s another creation if you know anything about airflow, you know this won’t work lol. The guy working for me says this is a common thing contractors and Havasu. Do we had to educate on why we don’t do this

 

[dezertrider]

If your return is over 65 decibels you may have a problem

 

[crzy2bealive]

Thanks! For the info

 

[mjc]

Your guys redid my ducting and air moves so much better.

 

[dezertrider]

All the ducting had to go. They used R6 insulated duct work. Havasu attics are constantly above 140 degrees so we upgraded the ducting to R8

 

[77charger]

Should have seen the ducting in one side of my house in Peoria. Give that picture a run. 5 vents only 2 had flow. First two has 14 inch supply trunk the metal duct gos to one vent and yeh those are 8 inch ducting coming out right next to where supply comes in.

Third pic is one of those y splits going to two of the registers. And yeh they used an 8x6x6 wye with 8 inch ducting taped up with duct tape.

Last week I finally went into attic back and forth with cousin who did ac for years wrote out a map and location of registers he sent me back a drawing on what to do.

Took a 14x10x10 wye used the proper tape connected to the supply trunk ran it down into 2 10 inch flex duct one went to one side with 2 registers then a 10x8x8 wye to each register on that side. Did the same to other side of house(it’s a big open kitchen living room.) other 10x8x8 wye to two other registers.

Cut one register out using 4 vs 5 but can modify later. Now have great flow out of all 4 vents and can tell difference with just the heater on. I’m no hvac expert but read asked cousin on info learned 14 inch duct flows about 740 cfm. The 8 inch ducting is 170 cfm going into 4 vents it’s pretty close number.

Haven’t got to other side of house yet but will do that next. I hate fuckin attics too.

 

[NicPaus]

I have a project I am doing. Home owners designed the hvac system. They are great with numbers and computers. Designs low voltage systems for schools.

He put returns in each room except the small bathroom. Said it should be much more balanced. My HVAC guy installing that one says it is overkill.

I ran all the ducts on my project house. Having him install the units. I just did 1 return. Going to pick up all the equipment today. Using heat pumps.

My other hvac guy called me earlier. I am building him a ground up. He prefers the Manhattan Beach and palisades jobs. Although he did the back.house on the one I mentioned. Years ago for me.

Both of them are the hardest people to get to show up. I need to learn it myself but overwhelmed as it is with work.

 

[azsunfun]

No high velocity systems, might want to take a look for retros.

 

[dezertrider]

Should have seen the ducting in one side of my house in Peoria. Give that picture a run. 5 vents only 2 had flow. First two has 14 inch supply trunk the metal duct gos to one vent and yeh those are 8 inch ducting coming out right next to where supply comes in.

Third pic is one of those y splits going to two of the registers. And yeh they used an 8x6x6 wye with 8 inch ducting taped up with duct tape.
View attachment 1469464 View attachment 1469465 View attachment 1469466 View attachment 1469467
Last week I finally went into attic back and forth with cousin who did ac for years wrote out a map and location of registers he sent me back a drawing on what to do.

Took a 14x10x10 wye used the proper tape connected to the supply trunk ran it down into 2 10 inch flex duct one went to one side with 2 registers then a 10x8x8 wye to each register on that side. Did the same to other side of house(it’s a big open kitchen living room.) other 10x8x8 wye to two other registers.

Cut one register out using 4 vs 5 but can modify later. Now have great flow out of all 4 vents and can tell difference with just the heater on. I’m no hvac expert but read asked cousin on info learned 14 inch duct flows about 740 cfm. The 8 inch ducting is 170 cfm going into 4 vents it’s pretty close number.

Haven’t got to other side of house yet but will do that next. I hate fuckin attics too.

Its not easy work. They have been at it for two straight days. My son knows haw picky I am about this working correctly so he is making sure it perfect

 

[dezertrider]

Here are some of the HVAC hacks we have found so far.
1. The previous company added a 20x20 return air grill. Its the only item they tried to fix. The installed one 25' bag of 18" duct to the return in the house then 1/2 way to the air handler to reduced it to a 16" for another 25'. I dont understand where they come up with this crap. That combo of ducting makes it work like a 14" that is too small
2. Multiple home made T-wye's with a 4 duct added and one was doing a complete U-turn back the other direction. Air wont do U-turns in HVAC
3. We found multiple areas with not enough insulation in the attic. Being that my system is over sized we will upgrade the insluation when we install the correct size equipment.
4. They had one supply trunk for the entire house. We made 3 supply trucks for the 3 main areas so its easier to balance

 

[dezertrider]

No high velocity systems, might want to take a look for retros.

I dont think anyone of the contractors know what a high velocity system is. They are pretty cool if installed correctly

 

[azsunfun]

I dont think anyone of the contractors know what a high velocity system is. They are pretty cool if installed correctly

80 year old technology, more efficient then and now.

 

[77charger]

I have a project I am doing. Home owners designed the hvac system. They are great with numbers and computers. Designs low voltage systems for schools.

He put returns in each room except the small bathroom. Said it should be much more balanced. My HVAC guy installing that one says it is overkill.

I ran all the ducts on my project house. Having him install the units. I just did 1 return. Going to pick up all the equipment today. Using heat pumps.

My other hvac guy called me earlier. I am building him a ground up. He prefers the Manhattan Beach and palisades jobs. Although he did the back.house on the one I mentioned. Years ago for me.

Both of them are the hardest people to get to show up. I need to learn it myself but overwhelmed as it is with work.

I’m not into working in attics. It’s a balancing act on studs,small spaces,tucking under rafters etc. Was only a 70 degree days and felt warm to me also.

No way I’m going up in summer though should have seen the hack jobs on mine that I didn’t get pic. Definitely leaking air too.

But getting good flow after I was done doing something I never done before did make it worthwhile. I still left some room to improve as time was short I still need to reroute one flex duct and shorten it. Was a trial on one register and routing.

Next will be a couple attic exhaust fans solar power deals. Now that’s something I know how to do since I do have waterproofing experience and decent roofs skills.

 

[dezertrider]

I’m not into working in attics. It’s a balancing act on studs,small spaces,tucking under rafters etc. Was only a 70 degree days and felt warm to me also.

No way I’m going up in summer though should have seen the hack jobs on mine that I didn’t get pic. Definitely leaking air too.

But getting good flow after I was done doing something I never done before did make it worthwhile. I still left some room to improve as time was short I still need to reroute one flex duct and shorten it. Was a trial on one register and routing.

Next will be a couple attic exhaust fans solar power deals. Now that’s something I know how to do since I do have waterproofing experience and decent roofs skills.

Quitecool make some really cool attic exhaust fans. They have one that measure the air temp inside the attic and outside. If its hotter outside then the attic it wont run until the outside air temp is below the attic temp. I think it has an app that you can controlit from your phone also.

They have a very cool product coming out soon that will be great for Southern California. I had to sign an NDA to see that one

 

[NicPaus]

In the Riviera do they have local guys doing the hvac or bringing in companies from Vegas and Phoenix?

Seems like those big houses would require some thought into the install and sizing.

Here most houses don't even have AC. My Ex house was a newer build by the beach and I had to use a portable ac. House was partially sunk in the hill and with all the insulation it would never cool down at night.

My current house has no insulation and huge vents on the attic. It cools down quick. But freezes in the winter. Her house they had never run the heater for years when I moved in.

 

[Deangang]

These guys kick ass …… I highly recommend them .

 

[dezertrider]

In the Riviera do they have local guys doing the hvac or bringing in companies from Vegas and Phoenix?

Seems like those big houses would require some thought into the install and sizing.

I havent seen any out of town companies in the Riviera yet. I have only seen one built house in the Riviera and they installed an ugly mini split on the wall in a room they couldnt get ducting to. It looked terrible. There are so many other options they could of done on that one

I did meet an out of town general contractor that is building his personal home in the Riviera. I told him good luck with the local AC companies becasue they all suck. He gave us the job after talking for a bit. He is building a legit high end home.

 

[NicPaus]

Is there a good supply house in Havasu?

I tried to buy all my equipment yesterday. Supply house wouldn't take my payment unless it's cash. I can buy the units online and they will sell me everything else. Trying to get added to the account today or open my own. Several local Supply houses are like this. Only sell to hvac contractors. By law I can do 2 or more trades. But they refuse to sell me the units. Only trade like that.

 

[dezertrider]

Is there a good supply house in Havasu?

I tried to buy all my equipment yesterday. Supply house wouldn't take my payment unless it's cash. I can buy the units online and they will sell me everything else. Trying to get added to the account today or open my own. Several local Supply houses are like this. Only sell to hvac contractors. By law I can do 2 or more trades. But they refuse to sell me the units. Only trade like that.

There are only two supply houses in town. AC Pro and Geary Pacific. Bullhead city has a few more

 

[ChrisV]

You guys are at my place right now. Great Service. Ethan was super helpful and explained a lot of things.

 

[dezertrider]

You guys are at my place right now. Great Service. Ethan was super helpful and explained a lot of things.

Thanks Chris, Ethan is awesome..... I built him right lol