How to Insulate Crawl Space Ducts
The duct work in the modern home is responsible for transferring heated air throughout the dwelling to warm the spaces evenly. The system breaks down, however, when leaks occur within the duct spans that allow some of that heated air to escape. At the same time, the very fact that crawlspaces are cold and dark will affect the efficiency of the heat transfer. Covering heat ducts with insulation is the best way to ensure that the system works as efficiently as possible. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Mastic or foil tape
- Fiberglass insulation sheeting
- Utility knife
- Staple gun
- Foil tape
Instructions
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Inspect the ducting for air leaks at all points. Wait until the furnace is running and check to feel any escaping air against your outstretched hand. If a leak is found, seal the gap with mastic, or foil tape. Duct tape will not hold up over long periods of time and should be avoided.
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Determine the amount of fiberglass insulation needed to cover all the ducting. Crawlspaces get very cold in the winter, and unwrapped ducts will bleed off heat wastefully. Use at least an R-4 insulation to insulate ducts in a crawl space. Cut the sheets to fit, and wrap them around the ducts. The fiberglass side should face toward the duct and the foil side out.
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Join the seams using either a staple gun or foil tape. The seams should be as secure as possible. For staples, try to fold the insulation over when stapling to seal it tightly. Center the foil tape evenly over the seam for best coverage.
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Put at least three inches of open space around any potential combustible spots. These may include electrical wiring or vent openings that could cause the insulation to get too hot.
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Tips & Warnings
Try not to crush the insulation when working with it; once crushed it will lose some of its ability to properly insulate.
For a crawlspace, staples are better because temperature changes will have less effect on them then the adhesive backed tape that can degrade.
Wear goggles, gloves, and a face mask when working with fiberglass insulation of any kind.
Be sure to seal any gaps that leak heated air prior to wrapping with insulation.
