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Photograph of  heat-deterioration of Goodman Gray Flex Duct in an attic Alloy Systems™ Gray Flex Duct Deterioration & Failures

Gray HVAC flex-duct failures:

This article explains Alloy Systems™ brand gray flex duct failures that appear as loss of the gray plastic duct covering due to brittleness that appears to be caused by exposure to heat (such as in a hot attic), with references to product failures by several manufacturers of flexible duct work, , including ATCO™ Ruber Products, Alloy Systems™, Goodman™ flex duct, Owens Corning™ flex duct, Owl™ flex duct.

We believe that none of these defective flex duct products is currently sold (2010) but both may be found in older homes. Note: not all Owens Corning flex duct products share this defect and disintegration problem.

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ALLOY SYSTEMS™ GRAY FLEXDUCT - Deterioration in Hot Locations

Photograph of  heat-deterioration of Goodman Gray Flex Duct in an attic

Air conditioning duct system defects include a remarkably wide range of errors, from failure to supply cool air or failure to even circulate air in the building, to health hazards such as use of asbestos material in or on duct work, to very dangerous conditions such as drawing heating equipment combustion gases into the building cooling (or heating) air.

The first field reports we received of gray flex duct disintegration bearing the Alloy Systems brand was in 2010, reported by Eric Van De Ven, a South Florida home inspector.

The Alloy Systems flex duct photos in this article were provided by Mr. Van De Ven and were taken in a South Florida home built in 1984.

The Alloy Systems Corp. flex duct in Mr. Van De Ven's photo (above left) shows the product manufacturer's name.

This article explains Alloy Systems™ brand gray flex duct failures

that appear as loss of the gray plastic duct covering due to brittleness that appears to be caused by exposure to heat (such as in a hot attic), with references to product failures by several manufacturers of flexible duct work, , including ATCO™ Ruber Products, Alloy Systems™, Goodman™ flex duct, Owens Corning™ flex duct, Owl™ flex duct.

We believe that none of these defective flex duct products is currently sold (2010) but both may be found in older homes. Note: not all Owens Corning flex duct products share this defect and disintegration problem.

The loss of the protective plastic covering on flex duct poses several concerns including loss of the duct insulation, increased air conditioning system operating costs, and possibly air leaks out (if supply ducts are damaged) or un-wanted attic debris leaks in (if return ducts are damaged), and in-duct condensation in the HVAC system leading to mold and indoor air quality concerns.

Photograph of  heat-deterioration of Goodman Gray Flex Duct in an attic

This Alloy Systems gray flex duct or "flex duct" air conditioning duct work material is a defective product. In hot attic spaces or where exposed to UV light, the plastic of this flexible air conditioning duct material disintegrates leaving its fiberglass insulation exposed to also disintegrate, leak, or possibly blow into the building living space. Replacement of the duct work is required - a significant expense.

Photograph of  heat-deterioration of Goodman Gray Flex Duct in an attic

- Thanks to Eric Van De Ven for these photos of Alloy Systems gray flex duct disintegrating in an attic.

Where this duct is found in a building it should be replaced. When a heating or air conditioning flex-duct product has lost its exterior plastic covering the effects are these:

  1. The cost of heating or cooling the building is increased due to lost insulation:

     because the ducts are no longer insulated from the ambient temperature in the attic or crawl space where they are located. For example, an air conditioning duct passing through a hot attic and missing its insulation will be heated by the ambient attic air, delivering warmer air to the living space than is desired.
  2. The cost of heating or cooling the building is increased due to leaks: 

    because damaged ducts are more likely to leak, cooled or warmed air intended for the occupied space may be lost in the attic or crawl space where the damaged HVAC ducts are located.

    In addition we might see these two indirect problems developing:
  3. Increased circulation of fiberglass particles 

    from the duct insulation or from building insulation which may be picked up and blown into the building air supply
  4. Mold growth 

    in the HVAC ducts due to loss of insulation and increased in-duct condensation in some circumstances.

Below at Technical Reviewers & References we include Flexible Air Duct Installation Manuals, standards, guidelines, and contact information for several flexible air duct manufacturers as well as access to Flexible Duct Performance & Installation Standards provided by the Air Diffusion Council.

List of plastic-covered flexible HVAC duct products that appear to deteriorate in hot spaces like attics

Readers concerned with deteriorating plastic and fiberglass-covered flex duct in buildings should see the duct failure reports listed below.


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