The air duct system of a home can be one of its most important systems. Insulators can help keep the energy cost of a home down and improve the quality of the air that flows through the area. If you don’t have a good insulator, your home can be left vulnerable and miss out on several great benefits.
When talking about the ductwork of a home, they’re referring to the system of pipes and ducts that circulate cool and heated air throughout a house. Depending on how the system is contrasted, air can be distributed at the desired temperature without leaking too much. When you have the right insulating materials for ductwork, it can lead to better living conditions overall.
The ductwork in a home or building is an essential part of it. Want to learn more about the important role of insulators when it comes to ductwork? Keep reading our overview to find out everything!
Insulators Help Control Air Flow and Energy
The majority of commercial and residential ventilation systems rely on HVAC units and insulators for comfort. They help with the heating, cooling, and airflow of a building, which is about 60% of the energy usage of a building. It is the largest part of utility costs for a building owner.
A good insulator will help make this process become more efficient, while also not wasting energy. Poorly insulated ductwork can lose up to 30% of the energy that gets used to heat or cool down the area. Leakage of that energy is responsible for driving up energy bill costs and discomfort for anyone living within the home.
Insulators have what is called an R-value, a number that shows the thermal resistance of the material during the transfer of heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the effectiveness of the insulator at high temperatures. Different parts of a home or building will require varying R-values to effectively control the temperature, based on having the right type of insulating material.
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Types of Insulators for Ductwork
There are a few materials that are used for ductwork insulation, fiberglass and reflectix. Having fiberglass insulation is both cost-effective and easy to install on a home. At the same time, it’s easy to replace but also needs to be inspected for moisture absorption.
Reflectix is a newer and more effective option for a ductwork insulator. It’s lightweight, has no risk of moisture problems, and is incredibly stable. It is composed of that have bubble pack tightly bound in-between layers of polyethylene.
Both are solid options for ductwork insulator materials and can impact how it feels to be within a home.
The Cost of Insulation and Ductwork
There are a number of factors that determine the overall cost of installing insulation and ductwork in a home. Not only is the length and thickness of the ductwork important to keep in mind, but the materials used and the labor to have it done are important too. The average cost for dust installation can cost around $1 to $2 per square foot, with additional costs for supplementary materials.
Hiring professionals to do everything will also drive up the cost to you. The job can cost as high as $0.80 per square foot when using a professional service.
This can be bypassed however if the job is done yourself, but it is highly recommended to go to professionals if you want everything done right.
Benefits of Insulators
Insulators for ductwork have a number of key benefits that will greatly impact any home or building that installs them. Investing in ductwork insulation can maintain a home’s peak efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint that is made on the environment.
For those who live in a building, insulators can be responsible for driving down energy bills and the overall cost to regulate temperatures. Not only can this make a home feel overall more comfortable, but also help save hundreds of dollars per year. A good insulator can last a long time, anywhere from 15 to 25 years, and help pay for itself many times over.
The quality of the air that you breathe can also improve overall when you have a good insulator installed. It can help prevent mold and mildew from forming within the ducts, which is caused by moisture buildup and condensation. This also helps prevent any harmful gases from seeping into an area, since a well-sealed insulator can improve the effectiveness of an air filter blocking them out.
Another great benefit to having a solid insulator is keeping your home much quieter. Sound often travels through the air ducts of a home and can get through very thin walls. Insulation with glass insulators for example can dampen the noise that travels around throughout the home.
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The Importance of Insulation for Ductwork
With our overview of insulators in ductwork, you’ll have a better understanding of why it’s beneficial to any home to have good insulation. Not only can people live more comfortably with better air control, but the cost of living can be much lower overall. Insulators for ductwork can lead to a better quality of life for anyone looking to be comfortable within their own home.
Looking for more information about home insulation and energy efficiency? Visit the Energy One website for popular services like annual system maintenance, central air installation, and much more. They can help you with many in-home services, including emergency HVAC and plumbing, as well as other services that you may need for your home.
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