Ducts In Attic

When hvac ducts are installed in a vented attic in any climate encapsulate the hvac ducts in attic insulation to protect them from temperature extremes in the unconditioned attic space.

Ducts in attic.

The duct insulation should include a vapor barrier cover. 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. Type of ductwork system the least expensive duct system is a radial system of flexible ducts in an attic running to ceiling grates. Ii lowered ceilings in hallways.

As most gba readers know ducts belong inside a home s thermal envelope not in an environment that s cold in the winter. Burying ducts in attic insulation. Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with i e laying on the ceiling and or truss lower cords. Apply a generous amount of sealant mastic over the thermal leak.

Iii special trusses that create space below the unconditioned attic. According to nrel researchers david roberts and jon winkler moving the ducts from a vented attic to a new location inside the conditioned space will reduce electricity used for cooling by 15 to 20 and will reduce the size of the needed air conditioning equipment by 0 5 to 1 ton. But in my last article i also showed you some preliminary results from a research study on buried ducts in a hot humid climate. If you live in a consistently humid climate a dehumidifier can help keep the air around your ductwork dry.

The air ducts for a central hvac systems are typically located above a home in the attic or upper crawl space or underneath a home in the space between the foundation and the floor so you don t see them unless you have cause to replace them. 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. Steps to sealing attic air ducts locate the source of the thermal leaks by inspecting the ductwork while the air conditioner is running. You shouldn t install ducts in a vented unconditioned attic.

The answer is simple. Use metal flex or fiber board ducts that are insulated to code. You can get the air handler and ducts into conditioned space in several ways without needing a basement or crawl space. Unblock any ducts that are restricting air flow and have them cleaned regularly.

The costliest are sheet metal ducts running in enclosed walls and ceilings. If they are located in your attic be sure the area is properly insulated and any cracks or holes are sealed. Use zip ties to secure any loose ducts to the attic floor. I lowered soffits around room perimeters.

Ductwork running along an open ceiling in the basement of a one story home is also more affordable to replace.