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HVAC Ducts In Conditioned Space

Building Science-to-Sales Translator

HVAC Ducts In Conditioned Space

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Technical Description

Heating and cooling equipment and ducts are often located in uninsulated attics and crawlspaces where humidity and temperature extremes can prematurely age the equipment and encourage unwanted heat loss or heat gain to the conditioned air traveling through the ducts. If the ducts are not tightly air sealed, conditioned air can escape from the ducts, resulting in energy loss and potential moisture damage, or unfiltered attic or crawlspace air can be drawn into the ducts and distributed throughout the home. Interior comfort delivery systems with the air handler and ducts located inside the conditioned environment of the home minimize the effects of duct leakage. Any conditioned air that does leak from the ducts leaks into the conditioned areas of the home. This saves money by ensuring conditioned air produced by the comfort equipment is not wasted in places like the attic or crawlspace.

Alternate Terms

Advanced Interior Comfort Delivery System
Energy Saving Interior Comfort Delivery System

Disclaimer

This content is a work created with funding provided by the United States Department of Energy under Contract no DE-AC05-076RL01830 for the operation of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The information and guidance provided by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the content are intended solely for educational purposes only and do not constitute formal training or certification. It is provided with the explicit understanding that neither the United States Government nor the United States Department of Energy, nor the Contractor, nor any or their employees, nor any jurisdiction or organization that has cooperated in the development of these materials, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness or any information, apparatus, product, software, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Viewers assumes full responsibility for all actions that they may take from information provided in this content including ensuring the safety, code compliance, and proper functionality of any products they choose to install. Installation and use of such products should be performed in accordance with local regulations and manufacturer instructions.