If so, a windy level project?
I looked into this last summer. I don’t have much exposed duct work, just a bit in an unfinished portion of the basement. Just googling around it didn’t seem like the consensus was it’s needed. In fact I recall reading that insulating exposed duct work could lead to increased condensation build up, then mildew, mold, weird smells, etc.
My unfinished area hovers about 65 degrees year round and given the relatively short distances, I decided insulating would be a waste of time and money for me.
Difficulty, low. Level of effort, depends on how much you have to insulate.
No insulating my exposed hot water lines, that’s still on the table for me.
Per 2018 IECC R403.3.1:
Supply and return ducts in attics shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Supply and return ducts in other portions of building shall be insulated to not less than R-6 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and not less than R-4.2 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal envelope.
2018 IECC R403.3.7 Ducts located in conditioned space:
For ducts to be considered as inside a conditioned space, such ducts shall comply with either of the following:
The duct system shall be located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelope.The duct shall be buried within ceiling insulation in accordance with section R403.3.6 and all of the following conditions shall exist:
The air handler is located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelopeThe duct leakage, as measured either by a rough-in test of the ducts or a post-construction total system leakage test to outside the building thermal envelope in accordance with section R403.3.4, is less than or equal to 1.5 cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area served by the duct system.The ceiling insulation R-value installed against and above the insulated duct is greater than or equal to the proposed ceiling R-value, less the R-value of the insulation on the duct.
At a minimum go to Home Depot and buy some foil tape and tape up any joints.
I finished my basement a few years ago and the inspector said he never would of imagined using foil tape on any joint increases efficiency by 11%. Even though I didn’t have to foil tape any old exposed joints, he told me to tape anything that I could see.
Project level on a scale of 1-10. Its a 1.
I looked into this last summer. I don’t have much exposed duct work, just a bit in an unfinished portion of the basement. Just googling around it didn’t seem like the consensus was it’s needed. In fact I recall reading that insulating exposed duct work could lead to increased condensation build up, then mildew, mold, weird smells, etc.
My unfinished area hovers about 65 degrees year round and given the relatively short distances, I decided insulating would be a waste of time and money for me.
Difficulty, low. Level of effort, depends on how much you have to insulate.
No insulating my exposed hot water lines, that’s still on the table for me.
All in I’ve probably got at least 50 linear feet of foot wideish exposed ductwork from two furnaces. My basement was hot as hell this morning (heats been running since its 9 degrees outside) and the ducts were hot to touch.
Mold mildew etc inside or outside the ducts?
Per 2018 IECC R403.3.1:
Supply and return ducts in attics shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Supply and return ducts in other portions of building shall be insulated to not less than R-6 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and not less than R-4.2 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal envelope.
2018 IECC R403.3.7 Ducts located in conditioned space:
For ducts to be considered as inside a conditioned space, such ducts shall comply with either of the following:
The duct system shall be located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelope.The duct shall be buried within ceiling insulation in accordance with section R403.3.6 and all of the following conditions shall exist:
The air handler is located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelopeThe duct leakage, as measured either by a rough-in test of the ducts or a post-construction total system leakage test to outside the building thermal envelope in accordance with section R403.3.4, is less than or equal to 1.5 cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area served by the duct system.The ceiling insulation R-value installed against and above the insulated duct is greater than or equal to the proposed ceiling R-value, less the R-value of the insulation on the duct.
At a minimum go to Home Depot and buy some foil tape and tape up any joints.
I finished my basement a few years ago and the inspector said he never would of imagined using foil tape on any joint increases efficiency by 11%. Even though I didn’t have to foil tape any old exposed joints, he told me to tape anything that I could see.
Project level on a scale of 1-10. Its a 1.
Is that for air leakage or thermal properties?
At a minimum go to Home Depot and buy some foil tape and tape up any joints.
I finished my basement a few years ago and the inspector said he never would of imagined using foil tape on any joint increases efficiency by 11%. Even though I didn’t have to foil tape any old exposed joints, he told me to tape anything that I could see.
Project level on a scale of 1-10. Its a 1.
Is that for air leakage or thermal properties?
If you have some reason to believe hot air is significantly leaking out of joints follow foil or duct tape advice above.
Otherwise leave it. You are making a decision at a bad time in cycle. I’m sure 99% of the time, if you haven’t noticed normally, it’s fine.
Per 2018 IECC R403.3.1:
Supply and return ducts in attics shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Supply and return ducts in other portions of building shall be insulated to not less than R-6 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and not less than R-4.2 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal envelope.
2018 IECC R403.3.7 Ducts located in conditioned space:
For ducts to be considered as inside a conditioned space, such ducts shall comply with either of the following:
The duct system shall be located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelope.The duct shall be buried within ceiling insulation in accordance with section R403.3.6 and all of the following conditions shall exist:
The air handler is located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelopeThe duct leakage, as measured either by a rough-in test of the ducts or a post-construction total system leakage test to outside the building thermal envelope in accordance with section R403.3.4, is less than or equal to 1.5 cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area served by the duct system.The ceiling insulation R-value installed against and above the insulated duct is greater than or equal to the proposed ceiling R-value, less the R-value of the insulation on the duct.
Are the ducts in conditioned space? If not, insulate them.
At a minimum go to Home Depot and buy some foil tape and tape up any joints.
I finished my basement a few years ago and the inspector said he never would of imagined using foil tape on any joint increases efficiency by 11%. Even though I didn’t have to foil tape any old exposed joints, he told me to tape anything that I could see.
Project level on a scale of 1-10. Its a 1.
Is that for air leakage or thermal properties?
If you have some reason to believe hot air is significantly leaking out of joints follow foil or duct tape advice above.
Otherwise leave it. You are making a decision at a bad time in cycle. I’m sure 99% of the time, if you haven’t noticed normally, it’s fine.
I can feel jets of air from some
Per 2018 IECC R403.3.1:
Supply and return ducts in attics shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Supply and return ducts in other portions of building shall be insulated to not less than R-6 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and not less than R-4.2 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal envelope.
2018 IECC R403.3.7 Ducts located in conditioned space:
For ducts to be considered as inside a conditioned space, such ducts shall comply with either of the following:
The duct system shall be located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelope.The duct shall be buried within ceiling insulation in accordance with section R403.3.6 and all of the following conditions shall exist:
The air handler is located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelopeThe duct leakage, as measured either by a rough-in test of the ducts or a post-construction total system leakage test to outside the building thermal envelope in accordance with section R403.3.4, is less than or equal to 1.5 cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area served by the duct system.The ceiling insulation R-value installed against and above the insulated duct is greater than or equal to the proposed ceiling R-value, less the R-value of the insulation on the duct.
Are the ducts in conditioned space? If not, insulate them.
They’re in my basement utility room.
What kind of insulation?
Per 2018 IECC R403.3.1:
Supply and return ducts in attics shall be insulated to an R-value of not less than R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter. Supply and return ducts in other portions of building shall be insulated to not less than R-6 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and not less than R-4.2 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
Exception: Ducts or portions thereof located completely inside the building thermal envelope.
2018 IECC R403.3.7 Ducts located in conditioned space:
For ducts to be considered as inside a conditioned space, such ducts shall comply with either of the following:
The duct system shall be located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelope.The duct shall be buried within ceiling insulation in accordance with section R403.3.6 and all of the following conditions shall exist:
The air handler is located completely within the continuous air barrier and within the building thermal envelopeThe duct leakage, as measured either by a rough-in test of the ducts or a post-construction total system leakage test to outside the building thermal envelope in accordance with section R403.3.4, is less than or equal to 1.5 cubic feet per minute per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area served by the duct system.The ceiling insulation R-value installed against and above the insulated duct is greater than or equal to the proposed ceiling R-value, less the R-value of the insulation on the duct.
Are the ducts in conditioned space? If not, insulate them.
They’re in my basement utility room.
What kind of insulation?
R-8 for ducts 3 inches in diameter and larger and not less then R-6 for ducts smaller than 3 inches in diameter.
You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot. Or a HVAC supply shop and buy some Johns Manville or eq. external duct insulation/duct wrap.
At a minimum go to Home Depot and buy some foil tape and tape up any joints.
I finished my basement a few years ago and the inspector said he never would of imagined using foil tape on any joint increases efficiency by 11%. Even though I didn’t have to foil tape any old exposed joints, he told me to tape anything that I could see.
Project level on a scale of 1-10. Its a 1.
Is that for air leakage or thermal properties?
If you have some reason to believe hot air is significantly leaking out of joints follow foil or duct tape advice above.
Otherwise leave it. You are making a decision at a bad time in cycle. I’m sure 99% of the time, if you haven’t noticed normally, it’s fine.
I can feel jets of air from some
duct tape em
foil if you wanna get fancy
I looked into this last summer. I don’t have much exposed duct work, just a bit in an unfinished portion of the basement. Just googling around it didn’t seem like the consensus was it’s needed. In fact I recall reading that insulating exposed duct work could lead to increased condensation build up, then mildew, mold, weird smells, etc.
My unfinished area hovers about 65 degrees year round and given the relatively short distances, I decided insulating would be a waste of time and money for me.
Difficulty, low. Level of effort, depends on how much you have to insulate.
No insulating my exposed hot water lines, that’s still on the table for me.
All in I’ve probably got at least 50 linear feet of foot wideish exposed ductwork from two furnaces. My basement was hot as hell this morning (heats been running since its 9 degrees outside) and the ducts were hot to touch.
Mold mildew etc inside or outside the ducts?
Condensation inside the ducts. Though it’s arid here in CO so I don’t know how much condensation would really collect. As a temp measure get some welding blankets and wrap the exposed ducts. That might keep more heat in and pushing to where you really it.
Duct tape is good for many of things - ducts aren’t one of them. If there are “jets of air” coming out, foil tape first to reduce air loss. Insulation after, if you are so inclined.
Why You Should Not Use Duct Tape On Your Ductwork? (jetairco.com)
There is a massive difference between your attic (non-conditioned space) and your basement (conditioned space).
I am assuming your basement is within the envelope of what your heat/cool system heats and cools, whereas your attic is not. In the text you quote, the house would typically have insulation in the ceiling of the top floor rather than in the rafters of the roof. So, the attic is not within the conditioned space. Your basement is not separated by a vapor barrier/insulation from your insulated space so you do not need to insulate the pipes. You can, but you do not have to.