What element should not exist within ductwork located in a garage?

Ductwork located in a garage should be carefully designed, and openings should not be present. This is primarily due to safety and air quality concerns. Garages often contain vehicles, chemicals, and materials that can emit harmful fumes and contaminants. If there are openings in the ductwork, these pollutants can easily enter the HVAC system and be distributed throughout the living spaces of the home.

Maintaining a sealed duct system in garages is essential to prevent the infiltration of dangerous fumes and to ensure that only clean, conditioned air is circulated into the living areas. This practice also helps keep the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system operating efficiently, as unintended openings can lead to imbalanced pressure and reduced overall performance.

Contrastingly, flexible joints are often necessary to allow for movement and expansion, high-level vents may be used for proper airflow, and return air paths can often be critical for system functionality—depending on the system design—but none of these elements would present the same level of risk as openings in ductwork within a garage setting.