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Air seal and insulate flex ducts

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Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Presentation

Presentation describing the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code air barrier requirements, envelope concepts including air flow and thermal properties, and common missed insulation and air-sealing opportunities.

Duct boots and other ceiling penetrations are air-sealed using spray foam

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Form an insulation dam of sheet metal around a flue pipe in the attic after air sealing around the pipe with sheet metal and fire-rated caulk or canned foam

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Form an insulation dam of heat-resistant insulation with at least 3 inches of clearance around a flue pipe in the attic after air sealing around the pipe with sheet metal and fire-rated caulk or canned foam

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Right- This flue pipe has been air sealed with sheet metal and fire-rated caulk and an insulation dam has been constructed to keep insulation from touching the hot flue pipe

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Sealed Attics?

Reference

Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Video

Video describing how to seal and insulate flex ducts.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Right – Duct register is mastic sealed to framing

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Right – Metal duct boot is properly sealed at seams

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Right – Flex duct is mastic sealed at junction box

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Right – Metal or fiberboard duct is mastic sealed at seams

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Right – Metal or fiberboard duct is mastic sealed at junction with duct register box

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Seal seams in fiber board ducts with out-clinching staples, UL-181A-approved tape, and mastic

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Wrong- A tie strap should not be used over the duct outer liner because it can compress the insulation. Tuck in the fibrous insulation and seal the outer liner to the connecting duct with mastic or foil tape (Steven Winter Associates 2013).

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Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Case Study

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

Coastal Habitats

Case Study

Case study describing a construction project in Hilton Head, SC utilizing a whole-house performance approach.

Baxter Community - High Performance Green Building

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

GreenCraft Greenspoint House Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: ICI Showcase House Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

Mercedes Homes: Hot, Humid Climate Region 40+% Energy Savings

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

Operation Helping Hands Green Dream 1 Home, New Orleans, Louisiana

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Project Home Again Phase I

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster Live/Work Townhome Prototype

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the marine climate.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tom Walsh & Co., New Columbia, Portland, OR

Case Study

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 homes that earned HERS scores that represent greater than 50% energy savings in heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Pine Mountain Builders, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Case Study

Case study describing a builder in Georgia that designs energy-efficient homes for a green community, yielding homes with HERS scores as lowas 59 and electric bills as low as $50 a month.