Adding Insulation To Attic Ductwork

If it s uninsulated you should insulated it to at least r 4 to r 8 for dfw.

Adding insulation to attic ductwork.

You need insulation even around your ducts no matter where you live. Attic hatch or door. If your rigid metal ductwork has any insulation it may already have enough. One of the most effective ways to convert your attic space into a spare bedroom is to remove the insulation from the floor and add insulation to the attic ceiling.

Insulation isn t only about keeping heat in. If it is less than an equivalent of r 30 you could probably benefit by adding more. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape. When it comes to adding duct insulation your monthly savings in utility bills will soon cover the costs especially if you install the insulation yourself.

If you want to cover metal ductwork. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs. Consider adding more insulation as ductwork is farther from the furnace.

Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts. The problem with uninsulated ducts. Wrap the insulation around the duct and then pinch the seam closed. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door.

Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation. In many homes the insulation layer in the attic is along the floor. In this case the temperature gradient between supply air and the ceiling can be such that the duct surface could be cooler than the local dew point. Mechanically fasten and mastic seal all duct connections.

The duct insulation should include a vapor barrier cover. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. To find out if you have enough attic insulation measure the thickness of the insulation. The unconditioned space also houses his hvac system.

To install preformed duct insulation start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. This isolates the attic from the rest of the home which means the attic isn t part of the conditioned envelope. In a vented attic this can happen when the duct is in close proximity to conditioned space i e the ceiling and also thermally isolated from the hot attic beneath the ceiling insulation. Test total duct leakage.

Add additional sealant if necessary. Install loose fill insulation to cover the ducts and the attic floor to meet or exceed the code required r value for attic insulation. Ted has more than a few cobwebs in his attic. The cost and effort to add more insulation is minimal.