Can I cut insulated flexible duct?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And you can eat go either way. And go ahead and just cut this all the way through be careful you don't cut or stab yourself. I've seen a lot of people do that cutting spikes dark.

What is the main problem with flex duct?

Too often, flex ducts are not installed properly, and they end up kinked, bunched up, undersized, or sagging. These issues can cause increased resistance in the duct system, resulting in too little airflow reaching a building’s heating and cooling equipment.

Does the ducting have to be insulated?

Without proper ductwork insulation, you could be losing 10-30% of the energy used to heat or cool your home. A good level of ductwork insulation will prevent not only energy wastage, but also leaks, temperature drops, and condensation buildup.

What is the disadvantage of flex duct?

The downside of flex ducting is that it is considered temporary with an acknowledged lifespan of only about 15 years. Another major disadvantage is that they are a little too flexible, so they are often incorrectly installed. And with greater friction than metal ducts, proper sizing is critical.

How do you split a flex duct?

Now, let’s get to the steps of splitting your flex duct.

  1. Step 1: Primary Calculations. At the very first, you need to perform a manual J load calculation. …
  2. Step 2: Identifying The Point Of Splitting. …
  3. Step 3: Cutting The Duct. …
  4. Step 4: Joining The Ducts. …
  5. Step 5: Use Straight Runs. …
  6. Step 6: Pulling It Tight. …
  7. Step 7: Test & Balance.


How long does flex duct last?

10 to 25 years

What is the functional lifespan of a flexible duct system? A search of industry articles, blogs, and chat rooms indicates it lasts from 10 to 25 years. Most flexible duct manufacturers warranty their products for about 10 years.

Is flex duct better than hard duct?

Flex ducts are better for existing trunk-and-branch heating and cooling systems. This is because they’re more versatile and flexible. Metal ducts are more rigid due to the nature of steel, making them ideal to build an entire HVAC system. Installation.

Is it OK to use flex duct for return air?

Yes! You can use flex ducts for your return ducts. However, you have to make sure it fulfills all the necessary criteria. These include pressure checks, proper wrapping, and marking, airflow control, etc.

Does Flex duct reduce airflow?

If you’ve ever seen kinked or sagging flex duct and wondered whether that was a problem, you were onto something! Since flex duct, by definition, is flexible, it often flexes in ways we don’t want it to. The result is poor airflow and ineffective HVAC systems.

How much can you compress flex duct?

Don’t let the ducts sag more than ½ inch per foot between supports; maximum sag shouldn’t exceed 2½ inches [4E]. Support straps should not compress the inner core or constrict airflow. Supports should not constrict the insulation because that can cause cold spots and condensation, which can lead to mold growth.

How do you insulate a flexible duct?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Take your flexible duct peel back the plastic liner. Then peel back the fiberglass insulation to expose the inner liner. The inner liner goes around the take off all the way around and it smooshes.

Does reducing duct size increase pressure?

If you reduce the opening of one register, you increase the resistance of the whole system. This increases the pressure of the whole system and reduces the volume of the whole system.

What do you use to hang a flex duct?

  1. Support flex duct using straps or saddle supports or as specified by the manufacturer. …
  2. Space supports at 4-foot intervals or closer to ensure that the flexible duct does not sag more than 1/2 inch per lineal foot between the supports. …
  3. Place supports at each connection between flex duct and rigid metal duct.
  4. Can you use flex duct in crawlspace?

    Flex duct is commonly used in crawl spaces. That said it is vulnerable to punctures, animals and other hazards. Animals have no particular reason the chew the ducts, but sometimes they will anyway. Flex duct is cheaper to install than hard duct, and (at least initially) it is easier to make it not leak.

    Can I use flex duct to vent range hood?

    Can flexible duct be used for a range hood? No. Avoid flexible duct for your range hood, regardless of the CFM.