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Ducts are properly insulated and supported without compressing the insulation

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Ducts are insulated but strapping is compressing the insulation therefore reducing the R-value

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Duct and HVAC Insulation

Reference

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

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation

Guide

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

Mechanical Insulation Design Guide - Installation

Reference

Web resource that lays out the pre-work considerations, methods and finishes for installing mechanical insulation.

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.

Air seal and insulate flex ducts

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Duct insulation is installed over boot

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Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

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Duct is located in unconditioned space and is not insulated

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Sealed and Insulated Fiber Board Ducts

Guide

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate fiber board ducts.

Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

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Insulation does not cover boot and is not sealed

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No insulation installed in cavity and not air sealed

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Duct is located in unconditioned space and is properly insulated

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Measure Guideline: Sealing and Insulating Ducts in Existing Homes

Reference

Report describing the sealing and insulating of HVAC duct systems in existing homes.

Prescriptive Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-8. Performance Path: Supply ducts in unconditioned attic have insulation ≥ R-6

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Pull the insulation and outer liner of the flex duct over the collar to come in full contact with the liner and insulation of the trunk line or fitting and tape in place

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Exterior Insulation Implications on Heating and Cooling in Cold Climates

Reference

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is interested in finding cost-effective solutions for deep energy retrofits (DERs) related to exterior wall insulation in a cold climate, with targets of 50% peak load reduction and 50% space conditioning energy savings.

Boot has been covered with insulation and sealed with mastic

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Inadequate amount of insulation installed with compression, misalignment, and voids

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Trunk to duct connections are properly insulated and have been sealed with mastic

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Spray foam insulates and air seals the underside of the attic roof and walls.

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Right – An insulated space is provided in the home’s attic to house the HVAC equipment.

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Wrong - Flex duct resting on floor compressing insulation and causing condensation

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The condensate line on this air conditioner has been covered with pipe insulation.

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Seal all joints and seams in the metal ductwork with mastic before installing insulation

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Right – Spray foam air seals and insulates the walls including the walls behind the fireplace and covers the underside of the roof deck of this mixed-dry climate home to provide an insulated attic space for HVAC ducts.

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Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct (Ductboard / Duct Board) Systems - Recommended Practices

Reference

Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.