The design of duct systems is more of an art than a science. There are a host of problems the engineer must resolve when designing an air duct distribution system, most of which are unique to the subject of ductwork.

Traditionally, engineering duct systems means spending a lot of time routing ductwork through buildings, avoiding beams, structural steel, lights, piping, other ducts, and just about any other conceivable object that could get in the way. Very little time is available for the actual engineering calculations, and certainly no time is spent redoing all the above to optimize the various factors to achieve the lowest owning and operating cost. Good judgement, good guesswork, and good luck are often the keys to most duct installations.

The computer has changed all this. It has become one of the best tools available in recent years to the engineer. Computer programs do not take away the responsibility of designing duct systems from the engineer, but instead allow him to manage the variables in a way better suited to his task: more time for engineering.