Unico's resident trainer Pete Williams is about to blow your mind!
There are a lot of choices when it comes to home comfort systems AND a lot of misinformation out there. In this article we're going to tackle the claim that small duct, high velocity (SDHV) systems are loud or noisy.
Many consider high velocity to be the all-in-one solution for heating and cooling homes. SDHV systems deliver year-round comfort and use aspiration, a circular system that mixes the air and creates even temperatures throughout the room. These systems are also ideal for older homes with limited space and/or unique architectural features.
A Unico air handler nestled nicely in this Elkins Park attic.
On the other hand, some HVAC companies shy away from recommending SDHV systems because they believe they're too noisy. So, what's the truth about high velocity?
We took a tour of Unico's new metal fabrications facility in Arnold, Missouri. Unico is considered the leader in SDHV systems. While there, Unico's resident trainer, Pete Williams, gave us a close look at what goes into making their system and what makes it so quiet.
Since ECI has been installing high velocity systems with a 100% quiet system guarantee for many years now, we know how noiseless they are when installed correctly. However, Pete's demonstration should go a long way in ending the debate once and for all by blowing an airhorn into a piece of their flexible tubing. You can watch the video below:
There you have it -- try doing that in a conventional metal duct! Pete also mentioned that he recommends installing 6 outlets per ton, which helps disperse the airflow out over more outlets. At ECI Comfort, our installations average 6.5 to 7 outlets per ton, which is a key factor in being able to provide our "Quiet System Guarantee".
Anytime we've ever seen a system installed by others that's noisy, it usually comes down to three things:
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Not enough outlets.
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Kinked tubing.
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Worst of all, no sound attenuator tubing.
What's the common theme here? Every one of these saves a lot of money, but makes the system loud.
Here at ECI Comfort, we've been installing high velocity systems for over 20 years. We can confidently tell you that if you have a noisy high velocity system, then it was most likely installed incorrectly. If you'd like to learn more about these systems you can check them out on our website, give us a call at 215-245-3200, or click the button below to schedule a free consultation.
