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Have you noticed an increase in the humidity level of your conditioned air, or foul odors coming from your vents?\u00a0 Have you noticed small stains appearing on your ceilings or walls?\u00a0 The problem could be condensation on your HVAC ductwork.<\/p>\n
Condensation on air ducts can be a serious problem.\u00a0 Over time, condensation dripping from your ductwork onto attic insulation can cause it to compress, which lowers its R-value. It can also feed mold growth, and cause ceiling joists to rot and sheet rock to disintegrate, leading to unhealthy air quality in your home, and the need for costly structural repairs.<\/p>\n
Condensation on ductwork, also known as \u201csweating ducts\u201d, can be a problem in all areas of the country, but it’s an especially common problem for homeowners here in the Dallas \/ Fort Worth area.<\/p>\n
Condensation forms when warm, moist air comes into contact with cool surfaces.\u00a0 During periods of high humidity and high temperatures, the conditions are ideal for condensation to form on improperly insulated ductwork in your home\u2019s attic.\u00a0 Here in the DFW area, most HVAC ductwork is run through the attic, and improperly ventilated attic spaces are especially prone to this problem.\u00a0 Fortunately, the solution is fairly easy and inexpensive.<\/p>\n
Insulation keeps the warm, humid air in your attic from coming into direct contact with the cooler surfaces of your ductwork.<\/p>\n
Fiberglass duct insulation comes in four basic types: duct liners, duct boards, flexible ducts, and duct wraps.\u00a0 Duct liners are applied to the interior of the sheet metal ducts.\u00a0 Duct wraps are essentially fiberglass blankets.\u00a0 As the name implies, these are wrapped around the exterior of the ducts.\u00a0 Duct boards are used to construct rigid, angular enclosure around the ducts.\u00a0 Flexible ducts are made up of a reinforced inner core, enclosed in fiberglass insulation and a vapor-retardant plastic or foil film outer layer.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the type of insulation used, your ductwork should be completely enclosed and the joints should be properly sealed to prevent heat exchange with the outside air.\u00a0 High temperature tape or caulk should be used to seal the joints between sections of ductwork.\u00a0 Contrary to what most people understandably think, the so called \u201cduct tapes\u201d sold at your local hardware store aren\u2019t recommended as they tend to become brittle over time.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve ensured that your ductwork is properly insulated and sealed, you should check for proper ventilation. Having adequate airflow will help reduce the humidity, and prevent condensation from forming on your ductwork.<\/p>\n
Here in the Dallas \/ Fort Worth area, most homes are equipped passive attic ventilation which includes ridge vents, soffit vents, gable vents.\u00a0 Most are also equipped with non-motorized roof mounted turbines.<\/p>\n
If these types of vents prove insufficient to prevent condensation from forming on your ductwork, you might want to consider adding a roof- or gable-mounted fan to increase the air flow.\u00a0 These devices are available at most home improvement center and are available in a variety of configurations.\u00a0 Although more expensive to purchase than conventional electrical fans, solar powered fans won\u2019t increase your monthly utility bills and are therefore a better bargain over the long run.<\/p>\n