HVAC question

[Fullmag]

Adding some R-30 unbatted insulation. Question is it ok to cover cold air return with insulation while laying across attic space?

 

[ChristianPatriot]

Are you asking if it’s ok to cover the ductwork? Or ok to block the airflow?

 

[churchmouse]

Same question.....Cover the duct...???

 

[Fullmag]

Didnt think of that, legit question, no, not for blocking air flow. The duct has a foil type insulation and was thinking of running strips approximately 90 degrees over duct for two reasons to get job done easier and keeping the air warmer returning to unit.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

I'm no expert but using common sense, by covering the return air ductwork will tend to keep the air from gaining heat in the summer or losing extra heat in the winter that your unit will only have to over come when it gets back to your system's coils. I'd do it but I'll be interested to see what the experts say.

 

[ChristianPatriot]

Have at it

 

[Fullmag]

Was watching This Old House and they mentioned it but I’m not an expert. Whoever insulated my house did a terrible job. Did part of the attic and what an amazing difference.

Thanks CP

 

[tmschuller]

You’re fine covering the duct. Adding insulation will help with the efficiency of the system in the summer or winter. More insulation will stop the infiltration of unwanted heat or cold depending on the season. Most flex or duct wrap is R3 -R6 five or take some. More insulation will benefit you by adding more R value

I always put r-30 over any flex duct I put in the attic

 

[churchmouse]

What CP said.

 

[lovemachine]

Adding insulation into an attic. Is this something I can do myself? Or is this a job I need to hire someone else to do?

 

[churchmouse]

Adding insulation into an attic. Is this something I can do myself? Or is this a job I need to hire someone else to do?

If you are up to crawling around and rolling out glass mats or blowing in the cellulose (do they still do this>>>??) then yes.....it is a wonderful way to spend a day and the results can be measured in savings and comfort.

 

[lovemachine]

If you are up to crawling around and rolling out glass mats or blowing in the cellulose (do they still do this>>>??) then yes.....it is a wonderful way to spend a day and the results can be measured in savings and comfort.

I know that I can rent a blower at Lowe’s, and even buy cellulose insulation there. Just never done it before...

 

[churchmouse]

I know that I can rent a blower at Lowe’s, and even buy cellulose insulation there. Just never done it before...

2 man operation. 1 Man crawls with the hose and one man keeps the hopper filled.
You will spend a good amount of time in the shower after.....

 

[lovemachine]

2 man operation. 1 Man crawls with the hose and one man keeps the hopper filled.
You will spend a good amount of time in the shower after.....

How do you not “blow” insulation over the soffit vents?

 

[churchmouse]

How do you not “blow” insulation over the soffit vents?

Be careful. Use a blocker of some kind.

 

[Fullmag]

It is not easy with a hip roof or an easy to walk on roof for old work. Rafter vents make the biggest difference in the summer months. I used a pneumatic stapler, much easier. Then use unfaced batts to insulate. Cellulose costs less but it is difficult to control where and how even it being put down. Do it in the winter, spring or fall to avoid a heat stroke.

 

[Fullmag]

I have a couple other tricks if your thinking about doing this. It’s work but the results are going to save quite a bit for heating and cooling plus the house will be much more comfortable if the house is not at R-38 to R-60 in the attic. My house was not done right to begin with so the improvements are dramatic.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Be careful. Use a blocker of some kind.

Two words. Soffit Baffles.

 

[tmschuller]

Two words. Soffit Baffles.

This. Easy and effective. You can buy the batt insulation that’s not itchy Blowing it in is great but you will have to redo it in some time and will have to redo it. You can buy fiberglass that doesn’t settle and it has a higher R value. Comes down to preference and time. Anything you do will help. The more you do raising the R value will benefit you as stated previously. Good luck

 

[Fullmag]

That part of what I got into. The other part was the nsulation was not out to the edges of the wall very evenly along the walls causing problems.