What Are Insulated Ducts?

Insulated ducts are a type of ductwork designed to maintain temperature-controlled air as it is being transferred from a generated source to its intended destination. Generally, insulation is made from cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral wool, and all of these materials are produced from recycled waste materials to conserve energy and create an efficient use for recycled materials. Insulation has come a long way since its origins in ancient Egypt, where the only means to maintain climate-controlled air was to construct buildings made entirely of thick mudstones. Fast forward to the 1950s, and insulation became popularized when fire retardant insulation was introduced, making homes more comfortable and safer. Insulated ducting is not only a smart way to save money, but it will help your heating and cooling systems run more efficiently. By strategically incorporating an insulated duct into your building, you can optimize how climate-controlled air is transferred and prevent costly, inconvenient daily occurrences such as temperature loss, noisy ducting, or a combination of both. Whether or not you use insulated flex ducts for residential HVAC systems, insulated ductwork is an energy-efficient means that can lower overall energy waste and utility costs and create a comfortable, livable environment.

Should I Use Insulated Ducting?

Utilizing an insulated hose in your HVAC system is always a wise decision to ensure the heated or cooled air being moved from your HVAC unit to its delivery point maintains its temperature. Homeowners and real estate investors should use flexible duct insulation in places where they plan on inhabiting for extended periods because the amount of money saved in the long term. For instance, replacing an old, non-insulated hose that provides climate-controlled air to isolated areas such as basements and attics would save on energy bills. This is because many older homes utilized these spaces purely for storage purposes and did not consider the possibility of converting them to another potential room to live in. Most modern real estate investors are seeking to fully utilize every square inch of their properties because added spaces mean the added need for conditioned air. For real estate investors and property owners, using an insulated hose can help save them a myriad of maintenance costs and help increase the overall value of their investment. Since insulated ducts are no longer priced as a luxury good, they should be used in every instance. Additionally, insulated ducts are an excellent upgrade for those looking to replace their old and deteriorating flexible ducting with something new, sturdy, and multifunctional.

“HVAC Insulated-Flex”

Is Insulating Ductwork Worth It?

Insulated ductwork is definitely a worthy installation and investment that can increase the overall value of your real estate. Many property owners who purchase a home with non-insulated hoses might resort to quick temporary fixes to insulate the property’s ducting, such as adding layers of insulation on top of the existing ductwork. While this technique can save time for those looking for a quick fix to their HVAC ducting needs, it is only a temporary solution to something that needs immediate attention. It is a popular misconception that installing new insulation onto an existing non-insulated flex hose is a cost-effective choice due to the low cost of the material and labor. However, this is a much more expensive option because non-insulated ducts are more expensive to insulate than new insulated ducts are for purchase. As non-insulated flexible hoses do not contain any features needed for an efficient HVAC system, it is far more affordable to buy a new insulated HVAC duct and replace it with the existing non-insulated one. Depending on the state of the existing ducts, trying to repurpose existing ductwork may cause more problems in the near future, such as discovering irreparable wear and tear and new rips and cracks forming. By purchasing a new insulated HVAC duct, property owners are investing in a new flexible hose that is better suited for HVAC systems, and depending on their product choice, it may even feature unique designs and attributes that can increase the overall performance of your HVAC systems.

“Air Ventilator Insulated”

What Is the R-Value of Insulated Ducting?

The R-value is a unit of measurement that determines how effective an insulated product’s ability is to resist heat flow. If an insulated flexible hose has a high R-value, it means it has a high thermal resistance and can reduce heat loss. On the other hand, if a flexible hose has a low R-value, it cannot reduce heat flow and allows heat to seep through the hose wall. Finding an insulated material’s R-value is, without a doubt, the best way to measure how an insulated material can resist conductive heat flow for your specific application and environment. To find the R-value for flexible duct insulation, it is usually found on the product’s manufacturer’s specification sheets. However, if it is not there, there are several ways to evaluate an insulation’s R-value. The standard way of determining an insulated material’s R-value is to divide the thickness of the insulation material (either in meters or inches) by the rate at which heat flows through it (either by watts per square meter or BTU per hour per square foot). By utilizing this formula, you can precisely and accurately measure the thermal resistance of your product’s insulation and find its respective R-value. However, for those who wish for an easier way to determine an insulated material’s R-value, the general rule of thumb is to examine the insulated material’s thickness. If the insulation of a flexible hose is thick, it means your duct has a high R-value; however, if a flexible duct insulation has a low R-value, the insulation must be thin. By determining an insulated flex hose’s ability to resist conductive heat flow, operators can choose the correct insulated flex hose for their intended application.

“Wind Handler Insulated TU”

What Is a Good R-Value for Ductwork?

The higher the R Value, the more insulation provided, for this reason hoses with insulated that have higher R-Values are preferred over lower ones.  For instance, residential HVAC systems in colder climates will require an insulated hose with a high R-value rating to take account of sudden seasonal weather changes. On the other hand, residential HVAC systems in consistently warmer climates will require flex hoses with a lower R-value rating to ensure that their system covers only what is needed. There is a common misconception that every insulated ductwork should possess the highest possible R-value to maximize an HVAC system’s energy output and efficiency. While it is true that having a high R-value for your flex hose does make HVAC systems work more efficiently and use less energy, there is a certain point that having too much insulation can become redundant and have a negative effect financially and in practicality. For example, installing an over-insulated flexible duct in tight spaces, such as an attic, will make it much more difficult to repair should these flexible hoses require any timely or immediate maintenance. While there is no definitive standard for R-value ratings that encompasses all insulated ducting applications, consumers must choose an appropriate amount of insulation for their flexible ducts that should cover the minimum requirements for their environment and intended application.

How Much Heat Is Lost in Ductwork?

For homes that utilize a non-insulated HVAC duct, they can lose up to 40% of generated heating and cooling energy. This loss of climate-controlled temperature is referred to as “heat loss.”  Heat loss refers to the occurrence when climate-controlled air is slowly lost as it is transferred from the HVAC system to its intended destination. Without any insulation to slow down or prevent heat flow, any climate-controlled air transferred throughout a non-insulated hose will seep through the hose’s wall and can ultimately cause HVAC systems to operate 50% harder to make up for the loss. This will likely result in residential and commercial properties generating higher utility and energy costs to compensate for lost climate-controlled air. While installing non-insulated ducts is initially an affordable option, this type of flexible hose can generate higher utility costs in the long term, especially if it is utilized in residential and commercial properties in extremely hot and cold climates. The only scenarios where a non-insulated duct is popularly used are in applications that purely require operators to ventilate and exhaust high-temperature air and fumes, such as dryer vents and smoke ducting. As a result, non-insulated flex ducts should only be considered for applications that don’t require climate-controlled temperature air transferred in residential or commercial properties.

What Ductwork Needs to Be Insulated?

Insulated ductwork should be used in applications that require minimum heat loss when air is transferred through the ducts.  Trying to determine which kind of ductwork should be insulated is going to be largely dependent on the intended application and desired results. For instance, residential and commercial HVAC systems should utilize insulated ductwork to deliver climate-controlled air appropriately and to dampen any noise generated from the HVAC system. The only time when you need to install insulated ductwork is unless there is a practical passive functionality to it, such as preventing heat loss and noise dampening. Common insulated flex ducts tend to have less flex and when flexed continuously, their lifespan decreases. In cases that continuous flexing is required, there are specially ducts that can be employed and standard insulated HVAC ducts should not be used.

Can You Use an Insulated Flex Duct for a Dryer Vent?

There are some cases where an insulated hose is not required for every residential ventilation application. Dryer ducting, for example, is a popular case where many homeowners consider using insulated flex hoses to ensure that the heat generated from a dryer does not seep through the hose wall and create an uncomfortably warm environment in their respective rooms. While the sentiment is understandable, dryer ducts do not require an insulated hose because it will increase maintenance costs should the flex duct ever get damaged over time. Dryer ducts are made to move lint and other materials, while insulated ducts are made to move air. In addition, there is a misconception that installing an insulated flex duct for dryers is enough to keep the hose clean. Using an insulated flex duct for a dryer vent makes no difference in the hose’s ability to maintain its cleanliness, and homeowners will still have to perform some timely upkeep to ensure that their dryer hose is lint-free and not clogged.

What Is the Best Duct Insulation to Prevent Condensation?

Duct sweat is usually generated when outdoor humidity levels rise, and warm moisture-filled air comes into contact with cold ductwork. It is a natural process that generally occurs in humid climates, so when a significant amount of duct sweat is generated, it usually means the ductwork is experiencing leakage, blockage, or poor insulation. Ductwork condensation is a common issue found in homes and commercial properties across the country, and while a small amount of condensation will not cause irreparable damage, a large amount of it is typically a sign of a more significant issue.

If duct sweat is not appropriately dealt with, it can damage the insulation within your flex hose and begin accumulating bacteria in the wet insulation. One of the best ways to fix this problem is to ensure that your flexible ducts are properly sealed and installed because this can drastically reduce the chances of duct sweat from generating. Utilizing insulated flex ducts is another secure way to prevent duct sweat from forming because it prevents warm, humid air from coming into contact with the cool metal ductwork. While there will always be concerns for homeowners in warmer and humid climates on whether their HVAC flex duct is profusely sweating due to some leakage, by properly installing durable, insulated flex hoses, you can ensure your home is reliably outfitted to handle all your flexible ducting needs no matter what kind of climate you face.

“Silico-550 Insulated”

How Much Money Does Insulating Ductwork Save?

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), you can save an average of 15% of heating and cooling costs by incorporating an insulated hose into your HVAC system. While the performance and overall energy costs of our HVAC systems are going to vary based on your natural environment and seasonal climate, the fact that you can save several hundred dollars in utility bills makes using insulated flex ducts a much-needed cost-saving measure. With that in mind, an insulated HVAC duct has become a much-needed staple in every residential and commercial property and has revolutionized how we approach and control air temperature for personal comfort. Whether you consistently generate heat to warm your house or occasionally cool down your room on a hot summer day, insulated ducting can be used in a myriad of climate-control applications and confined space ventilation. If you are searching for insulated flexible hoses for your HVAC and flexible ducting needs, be sure to choose a hose that has a significant R-value rating and that the hose meets all your machinery’s requirements.