Is Flexible Ductwork a Good Choice for Your Home?

When upgrading your HVAC system, always pay close attention to the ductwork. Flexible ductwork is a growingly popular alternative to traditional hard metal ducts. Before you decide whether or not it’s right for your home, consider the pros and cons carefully.


Pros of Flexbile Ductwork

Flexible ducts are cheaper than metal ones. This can save you money on installation and upkeep. If you are on a limited budget or would like to spend more of your remodeling budget elsewhere—like furniture or custom painting—it makes sense to save with flexible ducts.

Because the materials are cheaper, professional labor charges will be less, too. Installation is simpler, so you won’t have to pay top dollar for experienced labor.

Flexible ducts are…well…flexible. That means they can be installed in tight spaces where traditional metal ducts wouldn’t fit. If you’ve got sharp corners and lots of angles, flexible ductwork is a good option.


Cons of Flexible Ductwork

Flexible ductwork can restrict airflow more than metal ducts. Greater airflow means better HVAC system efficiency, but flexible ducts are more susceptible to interference from compression, pinching, and twisting. If ducts are installed in an attic or storage crawl space where boxes or other items could be pushed up against them, this can also diminish airflow. This decreased efficiency could mean higher energy bills.

Durability is also an issue with flexible ductwork. It doesn’t last as long as metal ductwork, it is thin and can puncture easily, and it doesn’t hold up to normal wear and tear like metal does. Over time, flexible ducts can become brittle and break or crack with even a slight touch.

Installing flexible ducts will save money initially, but you’ll have to replace it fairly often, and long before you would metal. This means you’ll incur that same initial cost several times for as long as you live in your home. For a more long-term solution, metal ductwork is a much better choice.

Flexible ductwork is made of a thin, pliable material. Not only does this make less durable than metal, but it also means that flexible ducts are more likely to become damaged in the short term. It’s difficult to install the material without damaging it, as rips and tears can happen very easily. Pests like mice and some insects can eat through the material, causing tears and holes that may be impossible to repair. Any sharp object stored too close to the ducts can easily cut through the ducts, as well. If your installers are not careful, you may end up paying more to replace damaged sections.


Contact Horizon Services with Your Ductwork Questions!

As with any major home renovation project, it’s a good idea to discuss the advantages and drawbacks of flexible ductwork vs. traditional metal ductwork with a qualified HVAC professional. An experienced contractor can help you decide if flexible ductwork is right for your home and will conduct a thorough inspection prior to starting any work. A professional can also help you weigh the cost savings of installing flexible ductwork against the additional expenses this type of material could bring on later. Talk to your Horizon Services comfort consultant; he'll be able to tell you wha ductwork options are best for your home.



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Somasi / Sweet fried Dumplings

Somasi - The name sounded very funny to me when I first heard it. It was like some Samosa or something I imagined. But I was wrong. It is a sweet that they make out of dates and coconut. I learnt to make this when I was at my granny's place. It is very easy to make and tastes very delicious. These dumplings are very yummy and very rich in taste.

Ingredients:

For the filling:

Khoya - 1/2 cup
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Ghee - 4 Tbsp
Cashews - 1/4 Cup
Raisins - 1/4 Cup
Freshly grated coconut - 1/2 cup

For the Dumpling cover:

All purpose Flour - 2 cups

Fine semolina - 2 Tbsp

Salt - A pinch

Oil for frying

Method:

• Heat 3 Tbsp of ghee in a pan and add the khoya to it. Mix it well until the khoya becomes soft.

• Now add freshly grated coconut to this khoya.

• Add cashews and raisins and mix well.

• Turn off the heat once the above ingredients are added. Add the sugar when the mixture is just warm.

• In another bowl, add the all purpose flour, semolina and salt and make it into a stiff dough.

• Let the dough sit for 30 minutes. The filling will also cool down completely by then.
• Take a small portion of the dough and roll it out into a small circle.Place a spoon full of the sweet filling in the center of the dough.

• Cover the dough over it in a semi-circular shape.

• Take a fork and use its edges to form a design over the corner of the dumplings.

• The Somasi/ Dumpling is now ready to fry.

• In a pan heat oil. Once the oil is hot drop the dumplings and fry until golden brown. 

• Enjoy it hot or cold!!

Notes:

Do not add the sugar when the mixture is hot, otherwise the mixture will melt.

Vegetable Kathi Roll With Minty-Yoghurt Dip

Vegetable Kathi Roll, healthy meal with all goodness of Chapathi/Roti rolled up with Nutritious and Tasty Veggies. I saw this on a Cookery Show, they made it with Mushroom Stuffing. My Hubby doesnt prefer Mushrooms much, so i tried the same with Mixed Veggies. They tasted great and with the Minty-Yoghurt Dip, it was awesome!!!

Ingredients
2 cups Wheat flour/Atta
1/2 cup Maida/All Purpose Flour
Salt to taste
1-2 tsp oil/ghee
Water to make the dough

For the Stuffing
2 Medium Potatoes, Boiled
1 Large Onion, thinly sliced
1 Capsicum, thinly sliced
1 Carrot, shredded
1/2 cup peas
2 Green Chillies, Chopped
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
Salt to taste

Method

Take together Wheat Flour/Atta and Maida/All Purpose Flour and Salt, add enough water and make a Soft Dough. 

In a Deep Pan, Heat oil, splutter mustard seeds, add hing, Add onions, green chillies and saute until translucent, Add rest of the Veggies, Saute well. Do not add water,Keep the flame low and Cook!!! The Stuffing need to be Dry, else it will make the roll soggy!!!! Once the veggies are sautéed, add the masala's, adjust the salt, Mix well, and cook for 5 more minutes. Put off the Stove.

Now For the Roti/Wrap, Divide the dough, Make Small balls and roll them out as thin as possible. Cook on a hot tava/griddle ONLY on ONE SIDE. The Wrap should be cooked well on one side and other side should be just toasted. 

Now for the Stuffing, Keep the Cooked side up on a plate, place one or two spoonful of stuffing and roll it tight. Seal the edges with some flour-water mix. Heat the tava, keep the rolls on the tava, drizzle some oil and cook them well.While Serving, Cut them into halves with a sharp knife and Serve.

We Loved with Hot n Sweet Sauce too!!! The Second snap was my hubby's taste, Little bit of Mint Dip and some Hot n Sweet on top, it was yummm!!!!!

Minty-yoghurt Dip
1 Small of Mint Leaves
2 Green Chillies
2 cloves of Garlic
Salt to taste
2 tsp of Lemon juice
2 tbsp of Curd

Wash the leaves well. Take the Curd in a tea-strainer, let it drain the whey/liquid for sometime. Now the rest of ingredients goes into a Blender/Mixer.Grind it in to fine paste, dont add any water!!!! While the mixture is still in the blender, add the hung curd to it and give it a pulse. Serve it as dip to any Chat!!!!