Sponsored content

As we see a cultural shift toward more energy-efficient and sustainable living, building compliance codes like the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) are being adopted by more and more local jurisdictions. The IECC is a prescriptive code that has established regulations for energy efficient buildings. The code is designed to help promote the use of new materials, technology and energy efficient designs.

In 2015, the IECC made a new change regarding the thermal resistance requirements for duct insulations in unconditioned spaces. Specifically, the code called for ducts in unconditioned spaces in climate zones 5-8 to be insulated with R-12 insulation.

The 2015 IECC states the following:

C403.2.9 – Duct and Plenum Insulation & Sealing

“Supply and return air ducts and plenums shall be insulated with a minimum of R-6 insulation where located in unconditioned spaces and where located outside the building with a minimum of R-8 insulation in climate zones 1-4 and a minimum of R-12 insulation in climate zones 5-8.

Where located within a building envelope assembly, the duct or plenum shall be separated from the building exterior or unconditioned space or exempt spaces by a minimum of R-8 insulation in Climate Zones 1 through 4 and a minimum of R-12 insulation in climate zones 5-8.”

Exceptions:

  1. Where located within equipment.
  2. Where the design temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the duct or plenum is less than or equal to 15° F.

As seen in the map, climate zones 5-8 are in the middle to northern part of the country. They often experience much colder weather patterns than zones 1-4. As a result, ducts in unconditioned spaces in climate zones 5-8 have typically required much more energy to maintain consistent temperatures than those in zones 1-4. The IECC introduced the R-12 code change in an effort to address the inefficiencies of these types of duct systems.

*2015 IECC: C403.2.9 – Duct and Plenum Insulation & Sealing*2015 IECC: C403.2.9 – Duct and Plenum Insulation & Sealing

However, it also created new and unique challenges for system installers and designers. For installers, the challenge has been two-fold. First, R-12 duct insulations have been largely absent from the HVAC market. As a result, installers have had to double-layer the insulation to attain the required thermal performance. This is not only costly in terms of material, but it also takes more time to fabricate and install two layers of insulation than one.

In response to the industry’s need for an R-12 duct liner, Johns Manville created the first-ever R-12 flexible fiberglass duct liner insulation, 3 in. Linacoustic RC. Historically, Linacoustic RC has had a reputation for being easy to work with and fabricate, and the 3 in. liner is no different. A unique flame-attenuated manufacturing technology creates a fiberglass core that can be processed consistently and efficiently on duct fabrication equipment, like a RotoZip machine or a water jet cutter.

Three-inch Linacoustic RC also has a glass-mat surface coated with Permacote, an acrylic, antimicrobial coating designed to help protect the airstream surface. This coating serves a dual purpose: first, it helps create a more durable airstream surface, and second, the coated surface provides superior resistance to incidental water penetration into the fiberglass wool core.

As contractors and specifiers begin to integrate the 2015 IECC R-12 code requirements, insulations like 3 in. Linacoustic RC can help shape the road forward for faster, more economical installations.

Bear in mind, however, that there is a second challenge that has been created by the new R-12 requirement: R-12 insulation is thicker, and as such, it requires more space once installed. This impacts both contractors and specifiers. When systems aren’t designed with these space constraints in mind, installers have to find ways to adapt the design on the fly. This can lead to under-insulated ducts that don’t meet code or aren’t as efficient as they were designed to be.

Johns Manville will be addressing these new code requirements and the insulations to meet them in an upcoming webinar, “Considerations for Insulating Ducts in Exterior & Unconditioned Spaces,” on August 2, 2018, at 2 p.m. EDT. This webinar will not only address insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces, but it will also dive into details about insulating rooftop ducts with polyiso foam (like XSPECT). Click here to register.