WHY DUCTWORK MATTERS FOR SF HOMES
Most San Francisco homes with forced-air heating have ductwork that was installed decades ago — often leaking 20–30% of conditioned air before it reaches living spaces. Leaky, poorly insulated ducts are one of the most common causes of high energy bills and uneven heating in SF homes. SolidBay's ductwork services include new duct system installation for renovations and additions, duct sealing with mastic sealant or aeroseal technology (which can reduce duct leakage by 80–90%), duct insulation upgrades (critical for ducts routed through unconditioned attic or crawl space), air balance testing and adjustment (ensuring each room receives the correct amount of conditioned air), and complete duct system replacement for homes with severely deteriorated original ductwork. Duct sealing qualifies for PG&E rebates and contributes to California Title 24 energy compliance.
When SolidBay installs new HVAC systems, we always evaluate the existing ductwork before installation. A new high-efficiency furnace or heat pump connected to leaky, poorly designed ductwork will never perform to its rated efficiency — the duct system is just as important as the equipment. Our HVAC team designs duct systems using Manual D methodology, ensuring correct sizing of every duct run for the right airflow to each room. We use sheet metal, flex duct, and fiberglass ductboard as appropriate for each application, and all duct work is sealed, insulated, and tested before system commissioning. Every ductwork installation includes an air balance test to verify performance.