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The Importance of Having Insulation in Your Ductwork
Typical HVAC Ductwork
Ductwork
insulation is important because it ensures that the air traveling
through the ductwork will stay at the desired temperature and ensures
that the air won't "leak" out. If the air is leaking out then there is
an unnecessary energy loss which means that your HVAC system will have
to work even harder to deliver the air you want into your home.
This will cause higher energy bills as a result of wasted
energy which is not good for you nor for the environment. In other
words, without proper ductwork insulation, the air in the ducts will
quickly cool off, and instead of heating your home, the ducts
will blow out cold air. Without properly ductwork insulation,
it's estimated that you could be loosing 10-30% of the energy
used to heat or cool your home. A good level of ductwork insulation can
prevent this, as well as leaks, temperature drops and condensation
build-up from occurring. HVAC contractors recommend
that ductwork insulation have an R- rating value of at least 5. Read more about R- Rating values for
ductwork.
What are air ducts/ductwork?
What are air ducts/ductwork?
Ducts
are often made of thin materials which is why it is so easy for the air
traveling through them to be lost. Proper insulation will ensure that
the regulated temperature will actually remain as it makes its way into
your living areas. The ductwork in unconditioned areas, such
as basement, floors, and ceilings is where ductwork insulation is most
necessary.
Ductwork Insulation Prevents Condensation
Proper insulation levels can actually prevent condensation form occurring in your ductwork. Cool air passing through warm areas in your home can cause condensation in the ductwork. Cool air is a result of poor duct work insulation so you really want to make sure to prevent this as moisture can lead to all sorts of problems such as mold and mildew growth.
Seal Ducts Before Insulating
Before adding ductwork insulation, it is highly recommended to first seal leaks in the ductwork. Contact an HVAC contractor to seal the ductwork, specifically sealing all of the points in the duct run. The proper way to seal is to use a material called mastic that is brushed on and then left to dry for about a day. Mastic is used because it does not degrade or shrink away from the joints. Keep in mind that duct tape should not be used for sealing ductwork as it could degrade and decompose which would not be affective in sealing the leaks and would leave you with a mess on the ductwork itself.
Types of Ductwork Insulation
The most common ductwork insulation material is fiberglass. A newer and more effective option is duct wrap, such as Reflectix.
Fiberglass Insulation:
Reflectix (Duct Wrap)
Ductwork Insulation Prevents Condensation
Proper insulation levels can actually prevent condensation form occurring in your ductwork. Cool air passing through warm areas in your home can cause condensation in the ductwork. Cool air is a result of poor duct work insulation so you really want to make sure to prevent this as moisture can lead to all sorts of problems such as mold and mildew growth.
Seal Ducts Before Insulating
Before adding ductwork insulation, it is highly recommended to first seal leaks in the ductwork. Contact an HVAC contractor to seal the ductwork, specifically sealing all of the points in the duct run. The proper way to seal is to use a material called mastic that is brushed on and then left to dry for about a day. Mastic is used because it does not degrade or shrink away from the joints. Keep in mind that duct tape should not be used for sealing ductwork as it could degrade and decompose which would not be affective in sealing the leaks and would leave you with a mess on the ductwork itself.
Types of Ductwork Insulation
The most common ductwork insulation material is fiberglass. A newer and more effective option is duct wrap, such as Reflectix.
Fiberglass Insulation:
- Used to line ducts
- Cost effective
- Easy to install
- Easy to replace
- Absorbs noise
- Needs to be inspected often for any moisture absorption
- Comes in 1 or 2 inch thickness
Reflectix (Duct Wrap)
- Very efficient and stable
- Lightweight
- Made up of foil faces on the outside that hold bubble pack between layers of polyethylene
- Is much thicker than fiberglass wrap; Reflectix is available in under 1 inch with seven insulating layers
- Has an R- Value of 5.6
- No risk of moisture problems as with fiberglass