Insulating ducts helps the conditioned air in your home maintain a consistent temperature while reducing air leakage and condensation. It also reduces energy bills and improves indoor air quality.
Duct insulation can be made of fiberglass, polyethylene or rockwool. Fiberglass is the most common and inexpensive, while polyethylene is suited for outdoor ductwork and rockwool has soundproofing properties.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Insulating air ducts helps keep conditioned air at the desired temperature, without overtaxing your home’s HVAC system. This minimizes energy waste and significantly reduces your utility bills.
Insulated ducts help prevent condensation around the air vents, which can cause mold and mildew to form in the ductwork. It also stops moisture from building up inside ducts, which can lead to structural damage.
Insulation can be applied in various ways, including spray foam. This is usually compressed in a can and sprayed onto the interior of ducts to seal leaks and gaps. Other popular insulation materials include fiberglass and rigid foam board. They can be wrapped around ducts or installed in sealed and insulated duct chases in the attic or crawl space. These insulation materials are available in different thicknesses and R-values based on your home’s needs.
Increased Comfort
Insulated ducts help maintain the desired air temperature, reducing energy consumption and cost savings. It also prevents heated or cooled air from escaping into unconditioned spaces like attics, basements or crawl space, where it can create discomfort for your family.
Professionally insulated ducts minimize heat transfer and help your HVAC system work more efficiently. This ensures that conditioned air gets to the rooms in your home as quickly and evenly as possible.
A professional insulation technician will assess your ductwork and determine the best insulating material for your home. They will then carefully apply the insulating material to your ducts, ensuring proper coverage and adhesion. They will then seal the insulation with high-quality HVAC foil tape, ensuring an airtight and durable seal that prevents heat loss or gain.
Reduced Utility Bills
A properly insulated duct system allows conditioned air to reach all areas of the home evenly. This means that the AC system will be used less frequently and may last longer than normal. This helps to lower energy bills significantly and save money year-round.
If you have old ducts that are uninsulated, then up to 20% of the energy you use to heat or cool your home is lost along the way through leakage. New, pre-insulated ducts are much more efficient and ensure that all of the conditioned air is delivered to the room you want it in.
Duct insulation also reduces the demand for natural gas, propane, fuel oil and electricity to heat or cool homes. This in turn helps to lower greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment.
Reduced Risk of Mold and Mildew
Insulation helps to keep pollutants, allergens, and moisture out of ducts by making it harder for them to enter through cracks or leaks. It also reduces the risk of condensation inside ducts, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Temperature differentials within ductwork can cause condensation when the cooler duct surface meets the warmer air. This can promote mold and mildew growth, especially if the condensation is mixed with dust or other debris. Insulation can help to prevent condensation by minimizing the temperature difference between duct surfaces and the surrounding air.
Exposure to mold and mildew can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma. Mold and mildew spores can also irritate the skin, eyes, throat, and nose of people who are sensitive to them.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Insulated ducts can prevent mold and mildew from developing by eliminating condensation that would otherwise occur when cold air passes through warm, uninsulated ductwork. When moisture forms inside ducts, it can be circulated throughout the home, causing problems such as allergies, headaches and fatigue.
Insulation helps minimize condensation by maintaining a constant temperature and by reducing the amount of conditioned air that leaks out of the system. This leads to lower energy bills and less strain on your HVAC equipment, extending its life.
The type of insulation used for ducts may have anti-fungal properties and be treated to resist fire. It can also be made from a non-porous material to prevent the absorption of moisture and the growth of mold and mildew. Other advantages of duct insulation include the ability to reduce noise and to keep voices from carrying between rooms.insulation duct