Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner insulate his ductwork. If you need help deciding which type of insulation you need, set up an energy consultation. Repeat until all the ductwork is insulated. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape, then apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam. Attach 1-inch foam board insulation. When insulating HVAC ductwork, use a foil, faced fiberglass insulation with an R-6 or higher R-value. The static pressure at the end of the trunk will be pitiful. It could reduce its effectiveness. #toh #thisoldhouse #askthisoldhouse". Repeat until all the ductwork is insulated. Ducts are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials. Insulate the attic access door. (1A). Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation. Specialties: Call today to learn more about the Trane heating, air conditioning and air filtration products provided by this independent Trane Comfort Specialist dealer Established in 2009. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape, then apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam. The Number One Prep Step: Seal Air Leaks Gaps in the attic or between the lower floors and the attic will let heated (or cooled) air escape to the great, unconditioned outdoors, making any insulation you add essentially useless. | Check your double-hung windows for any gaps. First, you'll have to maneuver batts of insulation around the clutter of wires, pipes, and cross bracing in a typical basement ceiling. Richard and Obie show Kevin O'Connor the tools used for bending,. Image Credit: Image #1: Home Innovation Research Labs. Take care not to compress the insulation. REEIS is the nation's leading Home Performance auditing and contracting. Repeat until all the ductwork is insulated. If you need help deciding which type of insulation you need, set up an energy consultation. You can even apply to other potentially leaky spots and seams. 3. To install preformed duct insulation, start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. To install sleeves, you must either disassemble the ductwork and slide it on before reassembling the ducts or as many homeowners find themselves doing slit it and wrap it around like the blanket-style material. Check the speed of the blower motor on the furnace. The two most common ways to insulate ductwork are Wrapping the duct in a foil-faced blanket; or Applying spray foam insulation to the outside of the duct. Wrap the insulation around the duct and pinch the seam closed. Repeat until all the ductwork is insulated. Press a continuous strip of foil tape to all longitudinal seams along straight runs of duct. Fill the Gaps Your insulated attic isn't necessarily a sealed attic. In either case, get an extra bag or rollyou really don't want to run out when you're almost done putting it in. To install pre-formed duct insulation, start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. Rigid insulation is used in masonry walls such as foundations, exterior walls under finishing, and unvented low-slope roofs. Staple and/or tape the sides of the insulation together using pieces of foil, vapor retarder duct tape. )SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: ht. Wrap the insulation around the duct and pinch the seam closed. Install siding over the insulation. It could reduce its effectiveness. Staple and/or tape the sides of the insulation together using pieces of foil, vapor retarder duct tape. Measure the circumference of the duct and add 2-3 inches. Here's what's involved in this case. Wrapping the duct in a foil-faced blanket; or; Applying spray foam insulation to the outside of the duct. Take care not to compress the insulation. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces is usually very cost-effective. Drywall under ductwork in basement framing basement walls against concrete how to build a soffit around ductwork basement ceiling reflectix incFraming Around Ductwork When Finishing Your BasementHow To Insulate Ductwork This Old HouseHow To Frame Around The Duct Work In BasementsFraming Around Ductwork When Finishing Your BasementHow To Build A Soffit Around DuctworkHow Do I [] Learn why you'll save money and energy with ductwork insulation and how it should . (See below for a shopping list and tools. The air coming out of the ducts may be a little warmer, but the temperature in the rooms of the house will still be at whatever you have the thermostat set to. 1. Best used On open walls when you're on a tight budget but you want a contractor to handle the installation. In a hot, humid climate, moisture can condense on cool ducts and register boots when the air conditioning system is blowing cool air through the ducts. Cut the insulation to width and length, using a square and a sharp utility knife, so that it fits snugly around the duct without compressing the fiberglass. Our goal is to improve your home's health, comfort and energy efficiency. Seal all the duct joints, holes and connections near the furnace. Batts are used in unfinished walls, floors, and ceilings. Start Saving Money Today Stop wasting money and energy with a leaking duct system. According to RightSuite (the software we use), the supply ducts have about 560 square feet of surface area and the return ducts 101 square feet. Sprayed-on cellulose and fiberglass work about as well as loose fill, but sprayed-on mineral wool performs better than loose fill, at R-4.1 per inch. Seal the duct-to-register connection as well. Any spray-on insulation will seal air leaks better than loose fill. Cover the tape with mastic. Cost-effective way to save energy with This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. To see how to get started and effectively complete the job, please watch this video: After cleaning the joints, put a layer of tape around it. Remove the grilles from all of the supply and return registers. All the ducts are in the attic. Looking at the cooling side only, the additional load would be: R-8 duct insulation ==> 5,227 BTU/hour. Richard Trethewey is in the basement where the ductwork is being connected and installed by HVAC contractor Obie Rosa and his crew. 2. In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner insulate his ductwork. Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts. Wherever there's a joint or intrusion, use sealant. Drywall under ductwork in basement framing basement walls against concrete how to build a soffit around ductwork basement ceiling reflectix incFraming Around Ductwork When Finishing Your BasementHow To Insulate Ductwork This Old HouseHow To Frame Around The Duct Work In BasementsFraming Around Ductwork When Finishing Your BasementHow To Build A Soffit Around DuctworkHow Do I [] Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape. Snap a plastic cap onto the duct end to keep the insulation from snagging, then slip the pre-formed piece over the duct. Caulk window trim and use weatherstripping to reduce air leaks. You'll not conserve any energy. You'll not conserve any energy. See, the teacher was right! Adding ductwork insulation to this system offers you 3 valuable benefits: lowered utility bills, reduced energy consumption, and a more comfortable home. Do your best to minimize compression at corners and elbows. Fiberglass insulation Cost-effective Easy to install Easy to replace Absorbs noise Needs to be inspected often for any moisture absorption 2. How to Insulate Ductwork - This Old House In the end, it's probably best to buy the blanket insulation. If you bury attic ducts in cellulose or fiberglass insulation, you need to think about summertime condensation. One ton of air conditioning equals 12,000 BTU/hr, so this would . Apply enough mastic to really cover up any potential leaks. Apply several small pieces of tape across the insulation seam to hold it in place, then seal the entire length of the seam in the insulation with a long strip of tape. Pressurize the duct. Wrap the insulation around the duct and pinch the seam closed. Batts aren't the best choice for basement and crawlspace walls, says Lowe's. Wire straps . Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills, but you can reduce that loss by sealing and insulating your ducts. 3. Use the type of metallic foil duct tape recommended by the insulation manufacturer to seal and hold the insulation in place. You're . Richard Trethewey finds space for the air conditioner in the Charleston Single House.SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouseEnjoying. When you insulate basement ductwork, the Btus created by the furnace are still inside the home. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps. Duct liner isn't generally a DIY installation, and if your ducts already have liner, you don't need to insulate the exterior. Here are a couple of tips to reduce your heating bill cost. Stop wasting money and energy with a leaking duct system. Duct insulation sleeves: Come in pre-measured lengths. Made from 1- to 2-inch-thick sheets of rigid glass fiber and coated with an aluminum laminate for a moisture/air barrier, duct Illustration: Rob Leanna This answer will vary from old house to old house. )SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/Subsc. Start Saving Money Today. 1. You also need to measure the length of duct insulation needed. If you've tried everything else and are determined to insulate the walls of an old house, follow these tips to minimize risk: | Insulation is key, especially around your outlets. When you insulate basement ductwork, the Btus created by the furnace are still inside the home. Richard Trethewey finds space for the air conditioner in the Charleston Single House.SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouseEnjoying. Gently pull the insulation over the entire length of duct. Make sure the foil surface of the insulation is free of dust before applying the tape. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps. Replace old windows with energy-efficient units. Check all the gaps and holes where air can pass then seal them up. If necessary, switch the wires to reduce the blower to its lowest speed. 2. How to Seal Leaky Ductwork - This Old House. Reflectix (duct wrap): Very efficient and stable Lightweight Made up of foil faces on the outside that hold bubble pack between layers of polyethylene It's simple high school physics. Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation. )SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/Subsc. How to Seal Leaky Ductwork - This Old House. Where do you install insulation? Tape cracks or holes larger than 1/8-inch diameter with the tape selected. Wrap the insulation around the duct, and then pinch the seam closed. When you call REEIS, you get more than just another A/C . Seal the entire seam you've just created with your foil, vapor retarder tape. Hold the batts in place by stapling their paper-faced vapor retarders to the lower edges of the joists. To install pre-formed duct insulation, start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. You add the extra couple of inches so you can create a tab which will make taping easier. The air coming out of the ducts may be a little warmer, but the temperature in the rooms of the house will still be at whatever you have the thermostat set to. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape, then apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam. TikTok video from This Old House (@thisoldhouseofficial): "@kevinoconnortoh @thisoldplumber and Ross Trethewey giving tips on how to insulate your home. Steps: 1. You can do this by wrapping the duct tape (with the adhesive still covered) around the duct. Ductwork refers to the system of ducts and pipes that circulate heated or cooled air throughout your house. Issues In unfinished attic spaces, insulate between and over the floor joists to seal off living spaces below. Wrap the insulation around the duct, and then pinch the seam closed. Steps for How to Seal Leaky Ductwork: 1. Under a house, the paper goes against the bottom of the subfloor between the joists, not out toward you. The two most common ways to insulate ductwork are. Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner insulate his ductwork. Do your best to minimize compression at corners and elbows. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape. Insulation works to slow down heat loss but not to stop airflow. They may . Cover with the mastic to create a durable duct patch. Seal the entire seam you've just created with your foil, vapor retarder tape. Blown-in insulation is used in existing wall spaces. Before you begin the installation of insulation, you have to make sure to seal all the gaps in your attic. Use a utility knife to cut foil-faced fiberglass insulation to the proper size. 2. If the air distribution is in the attic space, then consider insulating the rafters to move the distribution into the conditioned space. Duct board, much like the duct liner, is also a fiberglass product. Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts. Plug each duct register with foam rubber and wide strips of tape.