What insulation is best for ductwork?

Fiberglass





Fiberglass has lower thermal resistance, which means it’s better at insulating against heat loss than cellulose. Cellulose also reflects more sound from space than fiberglass does because of its higher density (though both are considered good for noise reduction).

Is reflective insulation better than fiberglass?

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that reflective insulation is the most effective at preventing downward heat flow, making it a better choice for roof insulation where keeping heat out is the most important factor.

Does Reflectix work for ductwork?

Ease of handling and quick installation make Reflectix® the first choice when selecting insulation for round or rectangular ductwork in HVAC systems. The product provides an R-8.0 when installed with a 0.75” air gap between the duct and the insulation, and R-6.0 when installed direct to the duct without a spacer.

Can you put fiberglass insulation around heating ducts?

Fiberglass insulation can touch HVAC ductwork provided the ducts are not leaking or forming too much condensation. The insulation should be snug enough to prevent significant gaps throughout the ductwork.

Should you insulate your ductwork?





Ducts are made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials. 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. Insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces is usually very cost-effective.

How do you insulate HVAC ducts?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Wrap. All ducks with foil Faced fiberglass insulation having an R 6 value or greater and sealed the joints with foil face duct tape prefer a hands-off approach to your ductwork.

Where should reflective insulation be used?

In walls and other areas where space is limited, reflective insulation is often the best choice. The only thing reflective insulation needs to function is an adjacent air gap. The air absorbs the heat and acts as an insulator. You may also find that radiant barriers can expand the use of space in your home.

Is foil roll insulation any good?

Foil is used in space-faring craft because of these great properties preventing radiant heat loss. Because space is a vacuum, there is very little heat lost by conduction, so foil is absolutely perfect.

Can I use reflective insulation with fiberglass insulation?



If you want to combine insulation types, using reflective insulation and fiberglass insulation in a wall space can boost the R-value by 3.9 points. By utilizing reflective insulation, an R-21 total wall assembly can be created, with a vapor and moisture barrier.

Can you use regular insulation on ductwork?

You can insulate the round air ducts serving your rooms with standard insulation batts or special-purpose duct insulation. Insulating your air ducts can save 10 percent to 30 percent on energy bills while improving comfort.

Should ductwork be insulated in a basement?

The answer to the question of, “Should I insulate the ductwork in my basement?” is…. Maybe. While insulating basement ductwork will, in fact, reduce energy loss from your ducts, thereby lowering the time your system has to run to properly cool or heat your house, it will also tend to make your basement cooler.

Does exposed ductwork need to be insulated?



The ducts are exposed to the same cold, heat and humidity that exist on the outside. Insulating them is essential in colder climates, optional in milder ones and necessary in humid climates to prevent condensation.

How do you insulate rectangular ductwork?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The second method is to double wrap the duct in a crisscross candy-cane fashion. An option of using reflectix.

Can you double wrap duct insulation?

Note: if your ducts are actual insulated tubing, you can “double wrap” these if you live in extreme temperatures or you suspect these ducts aren’t quite cutting it.As you complete each section, you can secure the insulation to the ducts using wire.

How many types of duct insulation are there?

So, I’ll share the 4 common types of duct insulations and their specifications. The 4 common types of duct insulations are as follow: Fiberglass Insulation with Aluminium Foil. Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulation Foam.

Can you use foam board insulation on ductwork?



You can build ducts from rigid foam board to serve as the distribution system to circulate heated or cooled air in your house. As with all duct systems, it is essential that one built from rigid foam board is correctly designed so that the temperature is comfortable and consistent throughout the residence.

How do you install fiberglass duct board?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It into a duct sort of like forming sheet metal in a break the longitudinal joint when stapled and taped in place is like a Pittsburgh joint in sheet metal.

Does outside air duct need to be insulated?

If the duct surface in question is in an area where it is below the Dew Point then it needs to be insulated. Metal MUA ducts in a commercial kitchen may operate below the dew point so i would insulate it. PVC supplying a boiler probably not! I’m not really concerned about what should or shouldn’t be insulated.