Ducts & Air Flow Archives - HVACTA https://hvacta.com/category/hvac-training/fundamentals/ducts-air-flow/ Heating Ventilation Air Condition Technical Academy Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:51:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 179589442 Flexing like a Pro https://hvacta.com/flexing-like-a-pro/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=flexing-like-a-pro Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:51:03 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=246469 After inspired design work, the group completed flex work without hesitation. We decided to get creative with the runs… check out the photos. Over the next three weeks we will be troubleshooting and getting down to HVAC hands on basics, component swaps, more brazing, lots of PM’s, and that’s just to name a few hands-on stuff we will tackle.

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After inspired design work, the group completed flex work without hesitation. We decided to get creative with the runs… check out the photos. Over the next three weeks we will be troubleshooting and getting down to HVAC hands on basics, component swaps, more brazing, lots of PM’s, and that’s just to name a few hands-on stuff we will tackle

Flexing like a Pro

Flexing like a Pro

Flexing like a Pro

Definitely proud of the product given the limitations presented (which was intentional). After all, getting the job done, even in the most confined spaces, is part of the job. That’s what we do here, make it a challenge and this gives all an advantage.

Looking for an in-demand career, HVAC may be the path. Give me a call and let’s find out.

Danny

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Plenum and Air Distribution https://hvacta.com/plenum-and-air-distribution/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=plenum-and-air-distribution Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:03:55 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=246448 For those who experienced discoloration (cannot say the “m” word here) atop your air handler, improper plenum construction and implementation is most likely the cause. One of the many hands-on tasks at HVAC Technical Academy concentrates on is proper supply plenum construction and attachment.

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For those who experienced discoloration (cannot say the “m” word here) atop your air handler, improper plenum construction and implementation is most likely the cause. One of the many hands-on tasks at HVAC Technical Academy concentrates on is proper supply plenum construction and attachment.

Plenum and Air Distribution

Plenum and Air Distribution

Plenum and Air Distribution

A supply plenum is an enclosed chamber directly connected to the outlet of an HVAC unit, such as a furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. Its purpose is to act as a central distribution manifold, gathering conditioned air (heated or cooled) from the equipment and evenly distributing it to the various supply ducts that lead to different rooms throughout a building.

Here’s why the plenum distribution box is critical to your cooling comfort:

* It equalizes air pressure before air enters the ducts, preventing “hot spots” or inconsistent airflow in different rooms.
* The box helps absorb sound from high-velocity airflow or mechanical system vibrations
* It serves as the starting point for branching out multiple duct lines to various areas of the home.
* Many plenum boxes, especially return ones, house the system’s air filters to protect internal components from dust and debris.

The group began working on their supply plenum project last Friday, do check in over the next couple of days to check out their progress.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny

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Air Traffic Manager: Plenum https://hvacta.com/air-traffic-manager-plenum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=air-traffic-manager-plenum Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:36:06 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=245470 There are two primary types: the supply plenum, which distributes air from the system to the home, and the return plenum, which pulls air from the home back into the system.

In a way, supply and return plenum acts as a "traffic manager" for air, ensuring consistent pressure and temperature regulation.

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Understanding the basic concepts of air flow, building distribution boxes, and running flex is a must know how to do. HVAC Technical Academy insists all participants are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to design, build, and construct supply plenum.

For those uncertain of the importance and role of plenum, this is for you.

Air Traffic Manager: Plenum

Air Traffic Manager: Plenum

Air Traffic Manager: Plenum

For those uncertain of the importance and role of plenum, this is for you.

An HVAC plenum is a central metal or fiberglass chamber/box connected directly to a furnace or air handler that acts as a distribution hub for conditioned air. It manages air pressure and directs heated or cooled air into the ductwork (supply) or collects return air (return), ensuring efficient airflow throughout a building.

There are two primary types: the supply plenum, which distributes air from the system to the home, and the return plenum, which pulls air from the home back into the system.

In a way, supply and return plenum acts as a “traffic manager” for air, ensuring consistent pressure and temperature regulation.

At our workshop facility, we work with duct board (building boxes), including measuring and cutting, as well as the material use such as flex, mastic, tape, hangers, registers, and much more.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can get you there in under two months.

Danny

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HVACTA: Plenum Progressing https://hvacta.com/hvacta-plenum-progressing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hvacta-plenum-progressing Wed, 03 Dec 2025 13:27:14 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=245143 When it comes to system swaps, proper air distribution is essential to air flow and cooling efficiency.
One of the many hands-on tasks at HVAC Technical Academy is constructing supply plenum.

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When it comes to system swaps, proper air distribution is essential to air flow and cooling efficiency.
One of the many hands-on tasks at HVAC Technical Academy is constructing supply plenum.

HVACTA: Plenum Progressing

HVACTA: Plenum Progressing

HVACTA: Plenum Progressing

A supply plenum is an enclosed chamber connecting directly to the outlet of an HVAC unit, such as a furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump. Its purpose is to act as a central distribution manifold, gathering conditioned air (heated or cooled) from the equipment and evenly distributing it to the various supply ducts that lead to different rooms throughout a building.

When it comes to airflow, the supply plenum operates at a positive pressure to push air out. To note, if there are improper installations, leaks can (and will) occur. When this happens, discoloration will result due to cold air hitting ambient air resulting in condensation… and even worse if not resolved.

Take a look at your air handler, if you see discoloration, you know what’s going on and it really should be fixed as soon as possible.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry may be a good fit for you and HVAC Technical Academy can help you get there quickly, we are talking six weeks.

Danny

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Kevin Hill – HVAC Training Video | Sanford Workshop Sept 2025 https://hvacta.com/2025-sep-kevin-hill/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2025-sep-kevin-hill Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:15:08 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=244852 This is Kevin from HVAC Technical Academy, and I’ll be here today to talk to you guys about duck board and cutting duck work.

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Workshop Status:

Completed

 

 

EPA Certification Status:

Testing October 23rd, 2025

 

 

Employment Status:

 

 

Kevin Hill at HVAC Technical Academy

Kevin Hill video - Plenum Cutting with Duct Board (Training Transcript)

Kevin Hill video transcript - Plenum Cutting with Duct Board (Training Transcript)

Speaker: Kevin Hill

Hey guys, what’s going on? This is Kevin from HVAC Technical Academy and I’ll be here today to talk to you guys about duck board, cutting duck work. So we’re going to be making a Plymouth for measurements that were given to me were 10 by 12. So let me show you guys how to get ready to do that.

All right, so first of all, you want to subtract three from 10 and three from 12. That’ll give you a total dimension of seven and nine. Okay.

All right. So, my first cut will be uh my 7 in mark to where 3/4 to your first cut. That way, you can have a little bit of extra lip to form back to actually make your corner cut like so. So, I will grab my Vcut um which is a red. And you want to make sure your sleds are facing forward, guys. All right. So, I’m going to measure my three and a half, 3/4, and my first cut, remember, is seven. So, that’s about three right there. You want to make sure you’re flush all the way through. And you want to travel all the way through, guys. Like so. Okay.

Remove any of this fiberglass, which is called fiberglass. And going to give you a good fold. You will feel the tension inside the fiberglass to let you know. All right, that should be good enough.

All right. Now, second cut. Nine inches, guys. So, you want to start start from the edge point like so. That’s about nine say. So, right about nine. All right. Second cut. Remember, fast forward. There you go. So far so good, huh? Again, it’s going to feel a little tension there, but that’s the whole purpose of folding it back. That way you can release some of that.

You guys remember the next cut? Remember seven and a quarter the first time, but we’re not doing seven and a quarter, just seven. So you start from your the edge of the last cut. We’re at seven. Good to go. But this time want to use the blue. This is the black. Oh, sorry. Damn. We got to do it over. All right. Yeah. I want to go with the red. Sorry. Yeah. Seven.

  1. Now we want to go nine. Now we want to go line add it up. Now we’re going with the butt cut. Reason for the butt cut so you can have a little lip to fold over. It’s gonna be a little tough, but cut all this excess off right here because we don’t need any of that. This is no longer needed. And now what we want to do, we want to like so fillet the rest of this excess fiberglass off. If you guys ever filleted a fish, you would understand what I’m saying when I say fillet.

So far so good. Just want to get just take all the rest of this off, guys. Now, from there, it’s going to start forming our plenum box. Don’t forget, stretch it out again. It’s not going to  form the way you want to that perfect dimension that you guys are really looking for. Okay. So, we should be fully squared like so.

Now, more than likely you’re going to have a helper outside in the field with you. But if you but if you don’t, get you a little piece. This right here is called working by yourself. Just rip your little piece off like so.

All right. Well, you want to get this on as easily as possible. It’s way easier than that, but guys get a somewhat of an idea what’s going on. It’s right here. See these ridges in there? This is what you want to see after you assemble this product. And this is how you make a 10 by 12 plenum, but of course it have a cap on it. And this is Kevin Hill from HVAC Technical Academy. Hope you guys enjoyed this video.

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HVACTA: Plenum, for YOUR health https://hvacta.com/plenum-for-your-health/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=plenum-for-your-health Mon, 06 Oct 2025 19:23:19 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=244537 More than a simulation, it’s all about air flow. Every participant got their hands in the mastic, tape, flex, and design. Now the group will be introduced to even more HVAC opportunities.

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More than a simulation, it’s all about air flow. Every participant got their hands in the mastic, tape, flex, and design. Now the group will be introduced to even more HVAC opportunities.

HVACTA: Plenum, for YOUR health

HVACTA: Plenum, for YOUR health

HVACTA: Plenum, for YOUR health

Challenge: next time you happen to have a phone / camera at your home, get a picture of the plenum box atop your air handler. Think it would be an interesting exercise to challenge eager and learning HVAC participants with more real-life photos.  

For the record, this is important stuff. After all, a properly designed and installed plenum box is essential for your HVAC system’s overall health and efficiency. Here’s a few reasons why:

Even temperature: Plenums ensure conditioned air is distributed evenly throughout by eliminating hot and cold spots.
Energy efficiency: Optimizes airflow and reduces pressure issues by allowing your system to run more efficiently, which can help lower energy costs.
System longevity: An efficient system with less stress on the components, such as the blower fan, is less likely to break down prematurely.
Air quality: The return plenum, together with a filter, is critical for cleaning the air before it is recirculated.

If you enjoy daily challenges, working with your hands, and never a dull moment, the HVAC industry and HVAC Technical Academy may be a good fit for you.

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HVACTA – Plenum in Action https://hvacta.com/hvacta-plenum-in-action/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hvacta-plenum-in-action Tue, 10 Jun 2025 12:02:53 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=243698 The groups are in the collar and installation phase. So far, no issues as all know what they are doing. Can’t wait to see the finished product and feel the cool!

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HVACTA – Plenum in ActionThe groups are in the collar and installation phase. So far, no issues as all know what they are doing. Can’t wait to see the finished product and feel the cool!

HVACTA – Plenum in Action

So much going on it’s hard to keep you up but trying! As you can see, we are working in the heat, working as a team, and working for a common goal.

Keep your eye on the prize and give the group a shout out for their hard work and excellent progression.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
DHuffman@HVACTA.com
Sanford, Florida

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HVACTA – “P” is for Plenum https://hvacta.com/hvacta-p-is-for-plenum/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hvacta-p-is-for-plenum Fri, 06 Jun 2025 12:21:14 +0000 https://hvacta.com/?p=243692 Understanding the basic concepts of air flow, building distribution boxes, and running flex is a must know how to do HVAC element.

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HVACTA – “P” is for PlenumUnderstanding the basic concepts of air flow, building distribution boxes, and running flex is a must know how to do HVAC element.

HVACTA – “P” is for Plenum

At our workshop facility, all work with duct board (building boxes), flex, mastic, tape, hangers, registers, and much more.

The group practiced plenum elements yesterday and will perfect the skill today. Fortunately their new system swaps are just about complete so Monday will be a day of connecting and perfecting air flow.

Danny
407-878-0474
2nd Chance University
HVAC Technical Academy
DHuffman@HVACTA.com
Sanford, Florida

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