Ducts In Attic

You can get the air handler and ducts into conditioned space in several ways without needing a basement or crawl space.

Ducts in attic. Steps to sealing attic air ducts locate the source of the thermal leaks by inspecting the ductwork while the air conditioner is running. Burying ducts in attic insulation. As most gba readers know ducts belong inside a home s thermal envelope not in an environment that s cold in the winter. Use zip ties to secure any loose ducts to the attic floor.

I lowered soffits around room perimeters. Apply a generous amount of sealant mastic over the thermal leak. The costliest are sheet metal ducts running in enclosed walls and ceilings. 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. Iii special trusses that create space below the unconditioned 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.

Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with i e laying on the ceiling and or truss lower cords. 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. The answer is simple. 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.

You shouldn t install ducts in a vented unconditioned attic. If they are located in your attic be sure the area is properly insulated and any cracks or holes are sealed. Type of ductwork system the least expensive duct system is a radial system of flexible ducts in an attic running to ceiling grates. Install ductwork so that it is in direct contact with i e laying on the ceiling and or truss lower cords.

Unblock any ducts that are restricting air flow and have them cleaned regularly. The duct insulation should include a vapor barrier cover. 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. Ii lowered ceilings in hallways.

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.