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Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by Gordonjcp on Monday January 16, 2023 @04:28PM (#34405724)
Why wouldn't you just lay insulation on the ducts, same as you do with water pipes?
Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by fifteenforty on Monday January 16, 2023 @04:34PM (#34405784)
US and Australian units are different for insulation, but in my terms the insulation around the best ducts is R1.5, but good ceiling insulation is R6. 4x difference
Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by briHass on Monday January 16, 2023 @06:10PM (#34406784)
Interesting. The code for duct insulation in unconditioned spaces in the US is R8, and they're pushing for higher currently.

They also recently undid a long held myth about ducts buried in insulation leading to condensation issues. Most areas now allow ducts to be buried as long as you have R19 above and below, or R30 above. When I just installed a ducted mini for 3 upstairs bedrooms, I surrounded my R8 flex duct with R30 insulation.

Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by EricE on Monday January 16, 2023 @10:27PM (#34408799)
lol - it's not a myth. It's physics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vufih-WN5R4
Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by mrexroad on Tuesday January 17, 2023 @12:52PM (#34415851)
Fwiw, context of this video is metal duct work. You’re not going to see R-8 flex duct buried in R-30 begin to sweat when the AC is running. In terms of controlling the dew point, the duct is no different than the conditioned space at that point.

Like you said, it’s physics.

Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by EricE on Monday January 16, 2023 @10:26PM (#34408796)
Over insulation introduces new problems like condensation (which causes mold and other nastiness)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vufih-WN5R4

Re:Heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of th... by mrexroad on Tuesday January 17, 2023 @01:27PM (#34416466)
Your statement is quite context dependent, and does not apply to most modern residential scenarios. “Over insulating” a flex duct is not going to cause condensation. Metal duct work in an unconditioned space can cause condensation. Wrapping it in (often thin) fiberglass insulation can increase condensation in certain conditions. Improperly vented attics (and/or air leakage from conditioned space) with metal ducts can cause issues.