Insulating Heat Ducts In Attic

Press a continuous strip of foil tape to all longitudinal seams along straight runs of duct.

Insulating heat ducts in attic.

Make sure the foil surface of the insulation is free of dust before applying the tape. Of course you might also consider replacing your old ducts. Flexible ductwork comes with different insulation r values. When hvac ducts are installed in a vented attic in a dry climate bury the ducts in attic insulation to protect them from temperature extremes in the unconditioned attic space.

If necessary switch the wires to reduce the blower to its lowest. Use a paintbrush to apply duct mastic to the joints where an elbow. Replacing your ducts is another option when you ve got old uninsulated ones. After all most new homes have r 49 insulation on the attic floor holladay continues.

Out with the old in with the new. A metal duct conveying cool conditioned air through a broiling attic in summer or warm air through a chilly crawl. Use the type of metallic foil duct tape recommended by the insulation manufacturer to seal and hold the insulation in place. Because the moving air is in the ductwork for only a short period of time it does not need the insulation r value the attic floor requires.

Check the speed of the blower motor on the furnace. Our team follows a rigorous process for replacing ductwork. The greater the temperature extreme between the air inside the duct and the air surrounding the ductwork the greater your need for duct insulation. Sometimes the insulation is inside the ductwork.

But if the floor is covered in plywood you can t stuff enough insulation beneath it to do the job sufficiently not even in warm climates. Plan to pull up the flooring and layer new insulation on top of the old. When the attic is 20 f that insulation is addressing a delta t of 50 f. Other times insulation may be on the outside.

When these ducts are exposed to exterior air the plastic jacket never gets cold enough to permit condensation because the hot attic air keeps the plastic jacket warm. But whether you hire us or somebody else be sure your contractor follows these steps. Acute temperatures in these areas contribute to thermal loss in metal ductwork. Wrap fiberglass duct insulation around the ducts and tape the seams together.

Unfortunately so many houses especially newer homes end up with ductwork running through the attic. When insulating hvac ductwork use a foil faced fiberglass insulation with an r 6 or higher r value. But the air in the ducts is facing a delta t of maybe 100 f or 120 f a greater delta t. Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with i e laying on the ceiling and or truss lower cords.

Most attic ducts are insulated flex ducts that is flex ducts with r 6 or r 8 fiberglass insulation along with an exterior polyethylene jacket.