Commercial properties usually have larger physical dimensions than homes. This is why commercial properties generally require larger HVAC systems. Furthermore commercial buildings will also require larger duct systems. They play major roles in building energy efficiency.
Uninsulated ducts can also cause some other issues for your building, which can drive the cost of maintenance and repairs up. If you have commercial property and want to know more about ways to increase the efficiency of your building’s envelope, continue reading. This article will take a close review of the four main advantages of duct insulation.
1. More Energy Efficiency
A duct system is able to deliver hot and cold air to different rooms of your home. In certain instances, ducts are routed through areas that are climate-controlled. In other instances the installation contractors direct ducts through spaces that are not conditioned. This technique lets designers make the most of their available space while also hiding unsightly ducts.
Ducts that pass through areas that are not conditioned in the building are often a cause of energy inefficiency especially when those are not insulated. The higher the temperature differential between inside and external surface of the the more energy loss you will suffer. The duct functions as an unintentional heat exchanger, decreasing the efficiency of conditioned air.
Insulating ducts without a cooling system can reduce energy losses. Hot air remains hotter and cold air remains cooler when it reaches the rooms of your house. This means that you can expect to see substantial decreases in the cost of energy.
2. Reduced HVAC Wear and tear
The loss in efficiency of the ducts that are not insulated affects more than you bottom line. The air that settles in your building also loses the majority of its cooling. It’s not as cold or as hot as it was intended to be. This means that your HVAC equipment is constantly trying to compensate for the gap.
The longer run times will increase the wear and tear your furnace and air conditioner will endure. The risk of overheating or component malfunction and burnouts could result. In addition you’ll be paying more for maintenance. Insulating your ducts will allow you to benefit the most from your HVAC equipment and reduces the stress placed to the HVAC system.
3. Lower risk of mold
The difference in temperature between the outside and inside of a duct without insulation usually leads to an increase in amount of moisture. The issue of moisture can be especially difficult during winter. As hot air moves through the system, cold air that is on the other end of the pipe causes a portion in the water-vapor in the air to condense.
This condensate may cause severe water damage if the issue persists for too long. Additionally, it provides an ideal environment for mildew and mold. The growth of mold colonies is a good thing in the air that flows through the ducts carries spores to the rooms in the building. Allergies, asthma and various other health issues may be the result.
Insulating your ducts can cut down on condensation by limit the transfer of heat. The more dry your ducts are more likely you will suffer from mildew and mold problems.
4. Better Noise Control
Metal ducts can be non-intentional echo chambers. The rigid walls and empty interiors permit the sound waves to bounce around the rooms in your home. The sounds generated through your HVAC system can be heard in rooms located on the opposite part of your home. Insulating your ducts significantly reduces the transmission of sound.
When you are choosing the insulation you want to use be sure to consider its sound transmission coefficientalso known as STC rating, which is short for. The STC rating indicates the extent to which a particular product protects you from sound waves. A higher rating signifies a better ability to block unwanted sounds.
