BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Compact Buried Ducts in a Hot-Humid Climate House

Reference

Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.

Show Home Targets Energy Efficiency in Hot-Humid Climates

Case Study

Case study describing the New American Home project.

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

Case Study

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

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Reference

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow. Results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Monitoring of Unvented Roofs with Fibrous Insulation, Diffusion Vents, and Interior Vapor Control in a Cold Climate

Reference

Report detailing a three-winter study on unvented roof assemblies in a cold climate, assessing insulation material, ridge diffusion vent presence, vapor control membranes, relative humidity, and interstitial airflow; results indicate that utilizing air-permeable fibrous fill insulations in unvented...

Measure Guideline: Reducing Thermal Losses and Gains With Buried and Encapsulated Ducts in Hot-Humid Climates

Reference

Document covering the technical aspects of buried and insulated ducts (BEDs), as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of BEDs compared to alternative strategies.

Moisture Performance of Unvented Attics with Vapor Diffusion Ports and Buried Ducts in Hot, Humid Climates

Reference

Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.

Still Placing Ducts in the Attic? Consider Burying Them

Reference

Information sheet about buried ducts.

Evaluation of Retrofit Delivery Packages

Reference

Report evaluating opportunities to improve and streamline delivery of residential retrofit measures.

Buried and Encapsulated Ducts, Jacksonville Florida

Reference

Reference investigating the strategy of using buried and/or encapsulated ducts to reduce duct thermal losses in residential buildings.

Encapsulated Ducts

Guide

Guide that illustrates how and when to encapsulate ductwork in unconditioned attics, increasing the R-value of duct insulation, mitigating condensation issues, and reducing air leakage.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Buried and Encapsulated Ducts

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Building America Top Innovation on HVAC ducts located in vented attics that are encapsulated in foam and buried in attic insulation.

Validation of a Hot Water Distribution Model Using Laboratory and Field Data

Reference

Research study comparing TRNSYS Type 604 pipe model against laboratory pipe heat loss test data and detailed field monitoring data.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation

Guide

Guide describing the practice of burying HVAC ducts in loose-fill insulation on the attic floor.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation and Encapsulated

Guide

Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

No Sweat, BSI-094

Reference

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Reference

Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Sealed Attics?

Reference

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

Venting Vapor, BSI-088

Reference

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Reference

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

Design Options for Locating Ducts within Conditioned Space

Presentation

Presentation with technical training covering several possible approaches to locating ducts within the home’s air and thermal barriers, and then dig into design considerations and details for the spray foam encapsulation approach.

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.