Is Reflectix good for ductwork?

Ease of handling and quick installation make Reflectix® the first choice when selecting insulation for round or rectangular ductwork in HVAC systems. The product provides an R-8.0 when installed with a 0.75” air gap between the duct and the insulation, and R-6.0 when installed direct to the duct without a spacer.

What type of insulation is best for ducts?

The most common material used for insulating heating and cooling ducts is fiberglass. Fiberglass duct insulation is available in various thicknesses and R-values and in either a flexible or rigid form. The flexible type comes in rolls and is relatively easy to install on either round or rectangular ducts.

Can I put insulation around heat ducts?

You can insulate the round air ducts serving your rooms with standard insulation batts or special-purpose duct insulation. Insulating your air ducts can save 10 percent to 30 percent on energy bills while improving comfort.

How do you cover insulated ductwork?

Use a paintbrush to apply duct mastic to the joints where an elbow connects to a duct. Use a utility knife to cut foil-faced fiberglass insulation to the proper size. Wrap the insulation around the duct, and then pinch the seam closed. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape.

How do you use Reflectix on ductwork?

Installation Instructions

Verify the circumference of the duct at the mid-point of a spacer strip. Cut the Reflectix® product to this length plus 1”. Wrap the product around the duct and securely tape the linear and circumference seams (overlapping 1”) with UL181 Tape (goal is an air-tight, snug seam seal).

HVAC Ducts - Pro Installer

Should I insulate my ducts?

Without proper ductwork insulation, you could be losing 10-30% of the energy used to heat or cool your home. A good level of ductwork insulation will prevent not only energy wastage, but also leaks, temperature drops, and condensation buildup.

Does exposed ductwork need to be insulated?

The ducts are exposed to the same cold, heat and humidity that exist on the outside. Insulating them is essential in colder climates, optional in milder ones and necessary in humid climates to prevent condensation.

How do I stop condensation in my air ducts?

Wrapping your AC ductwork is an effective way to prevent condensation. Duct wrap has a foam insulation inner layer and a foil outer layer. Cleanly wrap it around the AC duct and fasten with duct tape near the joints.

How hot can duct insulation get?

Once the combustion occurs and the air gets heated up, it can have a temperature between 140 F and 170 F.

Can fiberglass insulation touch ductwork?

Fiberglass insulation can touch HVAC ductwork provided the ducts are not leaking or forming too much condensation. The insulation should be snug enough to prevent significant gaps throughout the ductwork.

Does ductwork need to be insulated in conditioned space?

No insulation is required for ducts in conditioned space. In some areas of the country, conditioned crawlspaces and attics may need to meet specific code requirements. Several PATH Field Evaluations and other projects evaluated the cost and effect on trades of bringing ductwork into conditioned space.

Do HVAC return ducts need to be insulated?

In fact, without proper insulation, you can be losing up to 30% of the energy that is used to heat or cool your house. Tip: to find out if your ductwork needs additional insulation, place your hand close to the supply register. The answer is 'yes', in case the air feels lukewarm.

What R-value do I need for ductwork?

R-value of 3.5 is required for buried ductwork and ducts installed in an unvented attic with roof insulation or in an unconditioned space (including both ventilated and unventilated crawlspaces). There are no R-value requirements for ductwork installed in an indirectly conditioned space.

Can you use spray foam insulation on ductwork?

Once these preparations are made, the ducts can be encapsulated in at least 1.5 inches of closed-cell polyurethane spray foam. Encapsulating the ducts in spray foam increases the R-value of the ductwork and reduces air leakage.

Should you insulate ductwork in attic?

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. Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with (i.e., laying on) the ceiling and/or truss lower cords.

Why is my air duct sweating?

There are two primary causes of sweating ductwork: poor duct insulation and excess indoor humidity.

Why is my ductwork full of water?

"When water vapor-laden air cools to a low enough temperature, it condenses, forming liquid water. This is more likely to happen when ducts located in unconditioned spaces, like attics, are not adequately insulated, and the air in them is not circulated on a regular basis.

What causes excessive AC condensation?

Without proper airflow, the coil gets too cold and freezes. When this ice melts, dripping into the condensation pan, it can overflow. If your system is low on refrigerant, this can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which likewise can result in an overflowing condensation pan as ice melts.

Which type of insulation is most effective?

Spray foam insulation is the most energy-efficient insulation to create an air barrier in the attic. Certain spray foams can expand up to 100 times its original size, so it fills all of the nooks and crannies in the attic.

Is round ductwork better than rectangular?

In many ways, round metal duct work is more economical than rectangular metal duct work as a means of conveying air. 1) Size: For a given pressure loss, the surface area of rectangular duct can be double the comparable round duct surface area. Round duct, therefore, requires less metal than rectangular equivalents.

Should flex duct be insulated?

When flexible ducts are located outside the conditioned space, they should be sealed to prevent loss of conditioned air and also insulated to prevent thermal loss or gain from the ambient air. All ducts, whether rigid or flexible, should be sealed with UL-181–rated duct mastic.

What is the most efficient ductwork?

For instance, round duct is the more efficient shape in terms of material use, resistance to airflow, and air leakage. “The tradeoff is that round duct will not always fit in the space provided. In these cases the duct is converted to rectangular or flat-oval so that it can fit the available space.

Should you insulate ducts in finished basement?

The answer to the question of, “Should I insulate the ductwork in my basement?” is…. Maybe. While insulating basement ductwork will, in fact, reduce energy loss from your ducts, thereby lowering the time your system has to run to properly cool or heat your house, it will also tend to make your basement cooler.

Is duct sealing worth it?

If you have leaky ducts, duct sealing is definitely worth it because it leads to benefits such as: Increased energy efficiency. Improved indoor comfort. Healthier air quality.