Reducing Thermal Losses and Gains With Buried and Encapsulated Ducts in Hot-Humid Climates

Shapiro, C.¹  Magee, A.¹  Zoeller, W.¹ 

[1] Steven Winter Associates, Inc., Norwalk, CT (United States)

关键词: Encapsulated;    encapsulated/buried ducts;    hot-humid climates;    space conditioning;    closed cell polyurethane spray foam insulation (ccSPF);    unconditioned attics;    existing homes;    duct losses;    distribution system efficiency;    residential;    residential building;    the Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB);    Building America;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1219917
RP-ID  :  DOE/GO--102013-3719
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1219917
Others  :  Other: 6106

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

The Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB) monitored three houses in Jacksonville, FL, to investigate the effectiveness of encapsulated and encapsulated/buried ducts in reducing thermal losses and gains from ductwork in unconditioned attics. Burying ductwork beneath loose-fill insulation has been identified as an effective method of reducing thermal losses and gains from ductwork in dry climates, but it is not applicable in humid climates where condensation may occur on the outside of the duct jacket. By encapsulating the ductwork in closed cell polyurethane foam (ccSPF) before burial beneath loose-fill mineral fiber insulation, the condensation potential may be reduced while increasing the R-value of the ductwork.