Duct insulation might seem like a superfluous way to spend money. But if you think about it, all the air that goes throughout your house goes through those ducts. If you are trying to cool down your house and the cool air is going through hot vents, it’s going to make the air warmer. It will take longer to cool down the house because the cool air first has to cool down the hot vents. Not only is this inconvenient, but it also wastes a lot of the air that was initially cool, but is warm by the time it reaches its destination. The same thing happens to hot air going through cold vents. Energy is wasted by first heating up the cold vents and then finally getting hot air into your home.
Duct Insulation Options
There are three different options once you have decided to insulate your ducts:
- Foil-faced blankets can be wrapped around the ducts. This allows the duct to stay the same temperature of the air going through it for longer, even after the air has stopped blowing.
- Spray foam can also be applied directly onto the ducts which helps regulate their temperature.
- Adding extra attic insulation is another option. This only works for attic ducts, obviously, but it is a cost effective method. The attic insulation just has to cover the ducts completely in order for this to work effectively.
Air Seal Before
When insulating your ducts, remember that you also need to seal any leaks that might be in them. If the air is leaking out, the ducts will be inefficient and waste money. The sealing should be done before the insulation is installed.