The major components of an HVAC system include a heating unit, a cooling unit, and a network of air ducts. While you rely on your furnace and AC to provide heat and cooling, it’s the responsibility of the ductwork system to convey the conditioned air through your home. To do this at optimal efficiency, the ducts need to be tight and have good insulation. Is your HVAC insulation working for you? Here’s how to tell.
Check Your HVAC Insulation
Air ducts are usually installed outside of the living spaces, in the unconditioned areas of the average home. These unconditioned areas could include the basement, the attic, a garage, and crawl spaces. While the logic behind installing ducts in these areas is to provide more usable living space and better aesthetics throughout the home, it can make accessing the ductwork quite difficult. Your HVAC professional can handle this task for you.
When checking insulation, you’ll be looking for four possible types. Perhaps the most common type of insulation used is fiberglass batts. Rigid foam board is another common insulation used for ductwork in some areas. Also, look to see if spray-on foam insulation is installed. Lastly, check to see if you have insulated ducts installed. This type of ductwork has a layer of insulation on the inside walls of the ducts. Again, your HVAC professional can answer all these questions for you.
Installing HVAC Insulation
Before HVAC insulation, it’s important to make sure air ducts are properly sealed. In addition to thermal heat gain and loss that HVAC insulation helps prevent, air leaks in ductwork are quite costly. Your HVAC professional will also seal ductwork joints.
The most practical HVAC insulation is to install fiberglass batts or rigid foam board. However, it is highly recommended to have an HVAC professional do this job. Fiberglass batts should be carefully wrapped around ducts and sealed with metal tape. Foam board is cut to fit and applied using a construction adhesive.
To find out if you need HVAC insulation in your Eastern North Carolina home, contact Jackson & Sons.
