Adding Insulation To Attic Ductwork

Ted has more than a few cobwebs in his attic.

Adding insulation to attic ductwork.

Pull down stair or ladder. Apply a long strip of foil tape along the seam in the insulation. Install loose fill insulation to cover the ducts and the attic floor to meet or exceed the code required r value for attic insulation. The duct insulation should include a vapor barrier cover.

Mechanically fasten and mastic seal all duct connections. If it s uninsulated you should insulated it to at least r 4 to r 8 for dfw. To install preformed duct insulation start by disconnecting an elbow to expose the end of the duct. Secure the insulation with short strips of foil tape.

If your rigid metal ductwork has any insulation it may already have enough. Affix rigid foam insulation to the attic side of the hatch or door. The problem with uninsulated ducts. 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.

This isolates the attic from the rest of the home which means the attic isn t part of the conditioned envelope. To find out if you have enough attic insulation measure the thickness of the insulation. If it is less than an equivalent of r 30 you could probably benefit by adding more. 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.

Attic hatch or door. Before insulating seal any air leaks and make roof and other necessary repairs. Add additional sealant if necessary. Test total duct leakage.

The unconditioned space also houses his hvac system. Repeat to insulate the remaining ducts. Add weatherstripping around the perimeter and a sweep to the door of a walk up attic. The cost and effort to add more insulation is minimal.

If you want to cover metal ductwork. 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. 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. You need insulation even around your ducts no matter where you live.

In many homes the insulation layer in the attic is along the floor. Use a zippered insulated tent to keep the enclosure draft free attic tent at 7 attic cover insulator 120. Wrap the insulation around the duct and then pinch the seam closed. Insulation isn t only about keeping heat in.