DuctQuote Errors & How to Solve Them

Creating ductwork designs in DuctQuote is a breeze, but some layout nuances even take the pros a while to master. Here are some errors you might run into in DuctQuote and troubleshooting tips on how to resolve them.

More Than One Exit Point

Error: The program located more than one Exit Point on the system marked ‘?’. One Exit Point is required.

In a ductwork system, an exit point is where air leaves an opening. Having multiple exit points is a problem because it will often mean you have colliding airflows in the system.

1. Make Sure the System is Connected and Contains No Orphan Pieces

First, check to make sure the entire system is connected and there are no accidental openings or orphans in your layout. This is as easy as double-clicking a single section of duct. Every piece of the system connected via a valid connection will get highlighted in yellow. If the whole system turns yellow, that will indicate that the entire system is connected and there are no orphan pieces.

2. Check for Conflicting or Colliding Airflows

Once you’ve confirmed that the entire system is connected, the next thing to do is to check the system's airflow is going in a single direction. DuctQuote shows red arrows along each section to indicate airflow, but the system also makes a couple of assumptions:

• Vertical sections of ductwork will carry air up from a machine to a trunk system.
• The first section of ductwork drawn on a system is drawn in the direction of airflow.

Start from one corner of the system, follow the ductwork towards the collector, and double-check that all red arrows are pointing in the intended direction. If you find a section of ductwork where the airflow is going in the wrong direction, simply select those pieces and click “switch directions” to reverse the airflow.

Open Machine Connections

Error: There are open connections on equipment marked with ‘?’.

You may get this error in DuctQuot; however, your layout might not display any question marks. This issue usually has to do with the calculation settings — specifically the open ends setting.

1. Adjust DuctQuote’s Open Ends Settings

The “open ends” calculation setting has two options: manual and automatic.

2. Examine Connections Around the Equipment

If your issue isn’t tied to the open ends setting, check your layout to ensure there aren’t any question marks you’re missing. If you find an open connection, you can either delete the connection (if it’s not needed) or connect it to the system by simply dragging the detached piece towards the connection point. If a yellow dot appears, the piece should “snap” into place.

“Ghost” Sections

Sometimes, there are sections without a centerline. These are called ghosts. DuctQuote will include ghost parts in the BOM, but it will not be able to give you a complete description of the part (like its diameters). To fix ghost sections, you’ll need to provide the center line and diameter. 

Duplicated Parts in Your Bill of Materials

If you have multiple browsers or browser windows open, the program will create duplicates in the BOM. Make sure you only have one window open when you click the process button to produce your BOM. If you notice duplicate parts, simply close other tabs or windows running DuctQuote and reprocess.

Bring Ductwork Layouts to Life With DuctQuote

There’s always a learning curve for tools, but keeping these tips in mind when designing your layout should help you design ductwork systems and submit proposals as quickly as possible.

Don’t forget: A Duct Guy is always a call away. Reach out to us to get started designing in DuctQuote or for more troubleshooting help.