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 Rigid fiberglass HVAC duct board air handler (C) Daniel Friedman Rigid Insulating Board HVAC Ducts

Fiberglass insulating duct board:

This article discusses the use of rigid insulating board to construct air conditioning and heating system ductwork, and use of rigid ductwork with a thermosiphoning air collector system (TAP).

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Rigid Insulating Board & Fiberglass Air Conditioning & Heating Duct Construction

Photo of foil covered fiberglass insulation inside an HVAC air handler (C) Daniel FriedmanOur page top photograph shows reinforced aluminum foil faced fiberglass duct board used to construct the supply air plenum on a heating system.

The photo shown here illustrates foil-faced rigid duct insulation inside of an air handler.

The question-and-answer article below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Question: How are Rigid-Insulation Ducts Constructed, What Materials & Tools are Used?

I have heard that rigid insulating board can be used to construct heating ducts (or air conditioning ductwork). Can you provide information about the construction of rigid insulating board ductwork, including duct construction tools, etc.?

Is it reasonable to use rigid duct board with a thermosiphoning air collector (TAP), considering that I desire to move air 12 to 15 feet from the south wall to the middle of a one-story house?

This thermosiphoning air collector plan also includes using air from the basement to enter the cold side of the TAP. -- Byrl Bowman, Kalamazoo, MI

Answer: Fiberglass Duct Board

The product you refer to is fiberglass duct board, available from Certainteed, Knauf, and Owens Corning.

The fiberglass insulating board panels are one-inch in thickness, R-4.3, rigid-fiberglass panels that have a reinforced kraft paper or foil facing on one side. Rigid fiberglass duct board panels can be cut and fitted on site using a utility knife and special grooving tools to make the folds and laps.

The duct board sections are stapled together and sealed using pressure-sensitive aluminum foil tape.

The duct construction hand tools are made by AmCraft, Inc..

To purchase fiberglass insulation duct board materials, check with the larger heating and air-conditioning supply houses in your area, or with a manufacturer's rep.

As for your plan to use a thermosiphoning air collector, it sounds fine, but don't expect much air flow from a thermosiphoning collector if the system is ducted. A fan will be needed.

Technical Opinion About Rigid Fiberglass Ductwork

Foil faced rigid fiberglass duct board has proven an excellent system for constructing air plenums and main trunk lines for duct systems for both heating and air conditioning, and is in popular use across North America as well as in other countries. -- DJ Friedman

Advantages of Rigid Fiberglass Duct Board

Disadvantages of Rigid Fiberglass Duct Board

Exposed fiberglass in ductwork (C) Daniel Friedman

Also see

Here we include solar energy, solar heating, solar hot water, and related building energy efficiency improvement articles reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Original Article

The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below is preceded by an expanded/updated online version of this article.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: strange HVAC duct lining materials: plaster

(Jan 3, 2013) Lou said:
Our son' s home in Austin was built in 2006. The ducts are lined with foam rubber and the round tubes are connected with plaster. It leaks, one section has busted (i have used duct tape to patch it up). What is your suggestion: repair with same material or replace with all metal ductwork?

Reply:

Lou this is a design and materials unfamiliar to me: plaster inside ductwork around tubes? Perhaps you can send us some sharp photos and I can comment further.

Question: get rid of ductwork shedding fiberglass

25 Feb 2015 ray said:
how can rigid air ducks be replace to fix the dust an fiberglass from coming out all the time

Reply:

Ray,

If the ducts are damaged internally, say by mechanical cleaning, for example, then the ductwork would simply need to be replaced. my OPINION is that I don't like the spray-coating approach that some techs use in these situations.


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