Insulating Air Conditioning Ducts In Attic

Improperly insulated ductwork and excessive moisture in the air.

Insulating air conditioning ducts in attic.

Seal the leaks with mastic or mastic tape we follow a highly precise seal and test protocol that identifies all leaky areas and results in. If they are located in your attic be sure the area is properly insulated and any cracks or holes are sealed. Flexible ductwork comes with different insulation r values. To install preformed duct insulation start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct.

Or you live in a state that doesn t require r 8 on ducts in attics. Other times insulation may be on the outside. Both of these are easily treatable. At the end of the day there are really only two causes for condensation on ductwork.

Use the type of metallic foil duct tape recommended by the insulation manufacturer to seal and hold the insulation in place. Dirty air will still enter your ductwork through the leaks even after you add insulation. R 8 duct insulation 5 227 btu hour. Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts.

Sometimes the insulation is inside the ductwork. Final thoughts on condensation on ductwork. 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. I found instead a vintage 3 ton ac unit with 1 rigid insulation taped all over it and insulated flex duct snaking all over the poorly insulated attic.

If you decide to insulate your old ducts just make sure you or your contractor follows this order of operations. She asked me to go into the attic to find the roof leaks or where the snow is blowing in through the soffits. If ducts are located in a crawlspace underneath your house cover the soil to reduce moisture. One ton of air conditioning equals 12 000 btu hr so this would be almost half a ton 0 44 of cooling load.

Wrap the insulation around the duct and then pinch the seam closed. If you live in a consistently humid climate a dehumidifier can help keep the air. 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. Keep ducts spaced apart so air can flow between them.

The condenser in your air conditioner works hard to get rid of heat and pressurize refrigerant for the return trip through your house. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape. But what if you have an older house that doesn t have r 8 duct insulation. When insulating hvac ductwork use a foil faced fiberglass insulation with an r 6 or higher r value.

Either way removing humidity from the air in your attic might be the most cost effective way to handle your problem. Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation.