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