[MainStageNews]

Hi,

Currently my home has no insulation on the duct work. I've got a plan together to seal and insulate my ducts but am looking for constructive criticism. My home is in Indiana so winters are cold but not terrible and summers are humid. My air ducts are in both the attic and an encapsulated crawl space.

Firstly, I'll seal the ducts with some UL rated foil tape: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-...um-Foil-UL-Listed-HVAC-Tape-1207794/100048600
--I was thinking about covering the tape with some mastic as I've seen some reporting the tape will eventually come off but it seems to vary on the quality of tape and climate: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Speedi-...Base-Duct-Mastic-Sealant-AC-DMS-0-5/202907021

Secondly, I'll make air gaps with reflectix per the manufactures recommendations and then rap the ducts with reflectix sealing with the above tape. Same question, should I cover the tape with mastic too? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflect...-Reflective-Insulation-Roll-BP48100/202092205

Lastly, where I have the space to do it (where I don't have to compress the fiberglass to get it to fit) I'll also rap the ducts with formaldehyde free fiberglass insulation. Again sealing with the foil tape and I'll list the same question. Cover foil tape with mastic or no?: https://www.menards.com/main/buildi...15-30-sq-ft/511180/p-1444437001974-c-5778.htm

I've seen alot of folks being very against reflectix type products because it simply reflects heat instead of actually insulating. This is why I thought it would be a good idea to have refletix on the inside layer and then fiberglass on the outside to protect from the cold of Indiana winters. But is this just overkill? I've also seen some folks hold insulation down with a stapler and then use the foil tape to seal. That may make some sense on the fiberglass. What's your thoughts here?

Thanks for all your thoughts and critiques!!

 

[Nealtw]

Have you looked after the attic first. Air sealed the ceiling of the house. Air chutes with low and high vents?

 

[MainStageNews]

Have you looked after the attic first. Air sealed the ceiling of the house. Air chutes with low and high vents?

I've not delved into this deeply. Is something like the below what you're talking about? It sounds like you're saying spend some money on the attic before putting money into the air ducts? Maybe my first project should be this type of attic work but maybe do the basic sealing of vents as well?

Roof venting: https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2011/07/14/a-crash-course-in-roof-venting

 

[Nealtw]

I've not delved into this deeply. Is something like the below what you're talking about? It sounds like you're saying spend some money on the attic before putting money into the air ducts? Maybe my first project should be this type of attic work but maybe do the basic sealing of vents as well?

Roof venting: https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2011/07/14/a-crash-course-in-roof-venting

My thinking is that to do the sealing of the ceiling and install chutes you will be all over the duct work. So I would do that first then the duct work and then any more insulation you may need.

Do you have high and low vents now? Air chutes?

What part of the country are you in?