Ductwork Crawl Space Vs Attic

Knowing the disadvantages of attic install and the crawl space install.

Ductwork crawl space vs attic.

In a crawlspace you have to worry about critters and duct losses. If you have ductwork in your crawl space the temperature of the duct will be the same as the temperature of the crawl space. Strap ducts out of insulation with 3 ductstraps per specifications. However i have two questions if i want to centrally air condition my entire house.

Insulate and air seal the floor with open cell foam put ductwork and mechanicals in the attic install a radiant barrier and mastic seal the ducts. Ductwork can eat into living space so innovative space saving features like squeeze elbows are in demand. If the ducts are in an unconditioned crawl space you can encapsulate. In the attic you have worry about heat gain and duct losses.

Seal supply boxes with mastic. As don peek says in the comments below it may be more cost effective in existing homes to seal and insulate the ducts as well as you can. The accessibility of a home s ductwork is a key factor in estimating the cost to replace it. Ceiling diffusers can help route vents to alternative locations avoiding lengths of ductwork.

This means that like an attic or unfinished basement you don t heat and cool it. Ductwork located in an attic crawl space may be difficult to get to and creates a hot and potentially hazardous environment for the crew. If there were a way to eliminate the possibility of critters i would prefer the cooler location for ducts. A two room addition on the 1st floor has limited attic space and a 4 crawl space.

When beau called me we discussed the job and i said to him son you ve got to give this homeowner hope. Installing ductwork in the crawl space beneath a home limits movement and poses a lighting challenge. With new construction i would look for a way to have them in conditioned space. In the winter a crawl space can be significantly colder than the living spaces of your home.

It s easy to see your point about eliminating ductwork from the attic. If the ducts are in an unconditioned attic you can put spray foam insulation on the roof deck. The 2nd duct is the return duct that attaches to the return air vents and draws the stale air out of the house through the filter and conditions it again to return to the house as conditioned air through the supply duct system. I vote for the attic.

The majority of ducts are installed in unconditioned attic spaces and crawl spaces where they are out of sight. A basement is below and an attic is above the main part of the house.