air duct
Quick Summary
An air duct is a tube used to convey air. This can be for ventilation in homes or ships, or to supply air to a furnace. Some fish also have an air duct connecting their air bladder to their alimentary canal.1
In the context of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, air ducts are crucial for distributing conditioned air throughout a building. HVAC systems manage temperature, humidity, and air movement for comfort and safety in homes, businesses, and industrial settings. Modern systems often use a central unit, furnace, and fans to move air through ducts, controlled by a thermostat. Ventilation, a core HVAC function, relies on fans and ducts to bring in fresh air and remove stale air, sometimes manipulating air pressure for specific environments like hospitals.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.