CONCENTRICS

Installing A Concentric Diffuser – The Five Obstacles

Concentric Package Itemized Images

The installation of a Concentric Diffuser is usually straight forward (See The MicroMetl Blog “What Is A HVAC Concentric Airflow Diffuser System?” For A 101 Primer), however, obstacles can arise.

Obstacle One: Welded Curb Supports

Illustration #2

Illustration #1

When installing a flex duct system (Illustration #1), you can simply lay the flex duct adapters onto the curb’s duct supports and attach the flex duct. However, hard duct transitions require that you remove the duct supports and utilize the entire opening (Illustration #2). If the existing curb’s duct supports are welded, be prepared to bring a Sawzall to the Jobsite.

 

Obstacle Two: Curb Adapters
Too often Curb Adapters contain internal air transitions and plenums. The angled openings allow airflow from the new rooftop unit to the existing curb and will not permit concentric transitions or insert adapters with flex duct to be installed. Depending on the direction and extent of the internal angles you might get lucky!

If you can determine the original rooftop (RTU) model that had fit on the existing curb, you could remove or replace the existing curb adapter, order a concentric package to fit the existing curb, and place the new curb adapter over the existing curb trapping the installation.

Obstacle Three: Vibration Isolation Curbs
The Vibration Isolation Curb uses springs to “float” the HVAC rooftop unit, The movement from the top section of the curb which contains the duct supports will cause a hard duct section to stress, and pull apart. It is feasible when using a flex duct concentric system… if the diffuser section is secured in place and adequate play is remaining in the flex duct connecting the curb to the diffuser.

Obstacle Four: Adjustable Pitch Curb
The Adjustable Pitch Curb is designed with an upper & lower section. If the curb is set to a deep angle, the upper section may extend too far inside of the curb. Therefore, a transition or flex duct section may become obstructed by the protruding curb wall, preventing the field installer from either obtaining the desired angle of the curb or cause the transition to improperly fit into the curb.

Obstacle Five: Improper Airflow
This is more of an airflow, air balance issue. However, it is critical. Hot spots, cold spots, and air drafts are the greatest complaints of room occupants. It is crucial to complete each installation with an air balance. Too much velocity will cause cold spots, air noise, and drafts, too little will cause hot spots and short cycling. Short cycling is the result of too little air velocity through the supply side. It occurs when cool or warm air is too quickly returned through the return air section to the RTU. If it is critical to direct the air throughout a room… Therefore, choose a concentric diffuser with adjustable air blades.

Please contact our MicroMetl Customer Service Department with all your diffuser questions and needs.


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What Is A HVAC Concentric Airflow Diffuser System?

What Is A HVAC Concentric Airflow Diffuser System — Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units often utilize air duct systems throughout homes and commercial buildings. A Concentric Diffuser system is designed to eliminate the need for traditional duct-work by providing a single air diffuser to supply & return air to each rooftop. A Concentric Diffuser provides conditioned air from a HVAC rooftop unit to a space, while returning air back to the rooftop unit through the same diffuser. Designed to deliver air into an open space, or just below the ceiling of an occupied space using a very short distance.
Concentric Diffuser Hard Duct System At MicroMetl

Concentric Diffuser Hard Duct System – Figure #1

Concentric Systems are comprised of many components. Instead of explaining the components in their assembled order, I’ll jump to the Hard or Flex Type connections. They dictate the construction of all the parts that make up a concentric diffuser system.

Hard & Flex Duct Connections — Two primary concentric diffuser systems dominate the market. They are referred to as Hard or Flexible Duct systems. There are many reasons why you may choose hard or flex connections. Perhaps an obstruction requiring flexible duct, esthetics, performance, or ease of installation. A Hard Duct section (Figure #1) contains two separate duct sections. The hard duct sections can be side-by-side, or duct-in-duct. These pieces are constructed of sheet metal, shipped flat to be field assembled, and field installed. In the duct-in-duct design, the outer wall directs supply air from the rooftop unit down into a diffuser, the inside section collects air from a space via the diffuser, returning it to the HVAC unit. Side-by-Side hard duct uses separate, isolated hard duct sections, one for the supply air, and one for the return air. Flexible Duct (Figure #2) uses two or more individual pieces of short flexible duct to direct the supply air from the rooftop unit to the diffuser and return air from the diffuser to the rooftop unit. Roof Curb The HVAC Curb is normally purchased separately. Often the curb’s supports and deck pans (below the rooftop compressor) must be temporarily, or permanently removed for components of the concentric diffuser system to be installed. Transition Adapter Sections or Adapter Inserts. These sheet metal sections install inside a roof curb and direct the HVAC supply air into the hard or flexible duct sections. A Transition Adapter is necessary when using a hard duct system (Figure #1). Adapter inserts (Figure #2) containing round, or ob-round openings are necessary when using flex duct connections. Transition sections are almost always shipped knockdown and require field assembly. Drop Type & Flush Mount Diffusers The Diffuser itself is the means of air distribution within your space. Regardless of the feed type from your rooftop unit (flexible or hard duct), two basic types of air diffusers are most common – Drop Type & Flush Mount.
Concentric Diffuser Flex Duct System

Concentric Diffuser Flex Duct System – Figure #2

The Drop Type Diffuser (Figure #3) is designed to disperse the supply air from its perimeter. Often the blades surrounding the perimeter adjust both vertically and horizontally to allow optimal control of supply air direction and velocity. It allows a further disbursement of air than obtainable from a flush mount diffuser. The air is returned through the center of the diffuser back to the rooftop unit. Due to the design of the Drop Type Diffuser, the return air is less likely to generate air noise due to the lower face velocity, and larger return air section used to draw air back into the diffuser. Usually found in warehouses and department stores where drop ceilings do not exist. If used in conjunction with a drop ceiling, it will extend several inches below the ceiling surface.
Drop Type Concentric Diffuser At MicroMetl

Drop Type Concentric Diffuser – Figure #3

Flush Mount Diffuser (Figure #4) uses the outer portion of the Flush Mount section for supply air distribution. All blades are fixed and produce a slightly higher rate of static pressure than the drop type due to less available supply & return area. When comparing velocity between the two, the Flush Mount does not throw air as far as Drop Type Diffusers. Most often used in conjunction with a drop ceiling. Designed to lay flush to a ceiling’s surface.
Flush Mount Concentric Diffuser At MicroMetl

Flush Mount Concentric Diffuser – Figure #4

Final Thought MicroMetl Diffusers are specifically designed to disperse air from the outside perimeter in a 360-degree radius with equal velocity. Diffusers are sold according to the CFM, or Tonnage of your rooftop unit. If you lack experience, choosing the wrong Concentric Diffuser components will prove to be costly. Please contact our MicroMetl Customer Service Department with all your diffuser questions and needs.

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