Ducts In Attic Insulation

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.

Ducts in attic insulation.

Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation. In a vented attic this can happen when the duct is in close proximity to conditioned space i e the ceiling and also thermally isolated from the hot attic beneath the ceiling insulation. Since burying ducts is simply one of several ways to address the energy waste associated. Solutions to the attic duct problem.

To install preformed duct insulation start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. The insulation levels should meet or exceed the code required r value for attic insulation. Mechanically fasten and mastic seal all duct connections. In this case the temperature gradient between supply air and the ceiling can be such that the duct surface could be cooler than the local dew point.

Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape. If you re building a new house place ducts in the conditioned space to avoid the energy losses associated with most duct systems. Other times insulation may be on the outside. 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.

Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts. Test total duct leakage. If the ducts in your home are in unconditioned space seal and insulate them. Sometimes the insulation is inside the ductwork.

If your attic has enough insulation and proper air sealing and your home still feels drafty and cold in the. In last week s blog i discussed the practice of burying attic ducts in deep insulation. But in my last article i also showed you some preliminary results from a research study on buried ducts in a hot humid climate. Add additional sealant if necessary.

Install loose fill insulation to cover the ducts and the attic floor to meet or exceed the code required r value for attic insulation. Flexible ductwork comes with different insulation r values. Purchase duct wrap insulation that complies with the 2009 international energy conservation code iecc standards that specify an r value of 8 for attic ducts and 6 for ducts located anywhere else. Wrap the insulation around the duct and then pinch the seam closed.

Figure 1 shows a duct that is encapsulated in spray foam and then partially fully or deeply buried in blown attic insulation. Yes when you bury ducts in attic insulation in a humid climate you increase the risk of water vapor condensation on the jacket of the duct insulation.