How to Run an Air Conditioning Aluminum Duct
Heating and air conditioning duct work comes in many different types of metal. The three most commonly-used metals are galvanized iron, aluminum and stainless steel. While galvanized iron is the most common, aluminum duct has many uses. Aluminum duct is commonly used in duct systems that contain high amounts of moisture. Since aluminum will never rust, it makes an ideal metal for these duct systems. It is fairly easy to run air conditioning aluminum duct, and all you need are a few tools.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Aluminum duct
- Aluminum elbows
- Pop rivets
- 1/8-inch drill bit
- Cordless drill
- Rivet gun
- Snips
- Pipe crimper
- Work gloves
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1
Purchase your aluminum duct at your local home improvement store. Make sure you purchase elbows also to make any turns and offsets you need.
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2
Snap together your duct by starting at one end and inserting the male part of the seam into the female part. Slowly work down the length of the duct pushing the two together. When you get almost to the end, it should finish "snapping together" on its own.
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3
Connect one piece of aluminum duct to another by sliding the non-crimped end of one duct over the crimped end of another duct. The crimped end should slide into the other piece about 1 1/2 inches. Secure it together with four aluminum pop rivets by drilling four 1/8-inch holes around the join and fastening the pop rivets with your rivet gun.
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4
Cut your aluminum duct with your snips if you need a shorter piece than the standard length. You will then have to crimp one end with your pipe crimper so it can be connected to the next piece.
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5
Continue cutting and installing your aluminum duct until the project is completed.
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1
Tips & Warnings
In lieu of pop rivets, you could use stainless steel sheet metal screws, but the drawback is their higher cost. Don't use galvanized screws as they will eventually rust in a high-moisture situation.
Wear gloves at all times when working with aluminum duct. The edges are very thin and sharp and can cause severe cuts easily.
