Ducts In Attic

As most gba readers know ducts belong inside a home s thermal envelope not in an environment that s cold in the winter.

Ducts in attic.

When air cannot circulate freely throughout your a c system it will become colder inside certain ducts increasing the likelihood of ductwork sweating. 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. Iii special trusses that create space below the unconditioned attic. I lowered soffits around room perimeters.

Apply a generous amount of sealant mastic over the thermal leak. Iv conditioned attic and more. Use metal flex or fiber board ducts that are insulated to code. If you live in a consistently humid climate a dehumidifier can help keep the air around your ductwork dry.

You shouldn t install ducts in a vented unconditioned attic. Steps to sealing attic air ducts locate the source of the thermal leaks by inspecting the ductwork while the air conditioner is running. 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. The costliest are sheet metal ducts running in enclosed walls and ceilings.

But in my last article i also showed you some preliminary results from a research study on buried ducts in a hot humid climate. You can get the air handler and ducts into conditioned space in several ways without needing a basement or crawl space. 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.

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. Ductwork running along an open ceiling in the basement of a one story home is also more affordable to replace. Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with i e laying on the ceiling and or truss lower cords. 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. Ii lowered ceilings in hallways. Unblock any ducts that are restricting air flow and have them cleaned regularly. The answer is simple.

Type of ductwork system the least expensive duct system is a radial system of flexible ducts in an attic running to ceiling grates.