Ducts in an Attic

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In episode 66 of the On the Job video series, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Dr. Energy Saver, is back to once again talk about the energy waste problem created by HVAC ducts that run through an unconditioned attic.
The energy penalties in these cases are so significant that Larry had previously dedicated an entire episode to discuss this problem -- the "Problems with Ducts in the Attic" video available on Dr. Energy Saver KZbin Channel -- and is now back to the subject.
This time, with the help of thermal imaging equipment, Larry walks us through a recent inspection performed by his company, demonstrating exactly how much heat can be gained or lost year round through ducts that run through unconditioned attics.
In this particular home, the inspection performed in mid-May found an unconditioned attic with temperatures reaching scorching 115 degrees, housing long lines of air ducts and an air handler -- all of which were also very leaky contributing for an even higher rate of energy loss.
The running air conditioning system was consuming energy to cool the air down to approximately 55 degrees while the air ran through a handler with a metal case that was just as hot as the attic itself. With long lines of uninsulated ducts, it kept gaining heat on the way to the rooms it was supposed to cool.
In the master bedroom -- closest to the handler -- the air coming out of the vents was only 2 degrees below the target temperature. That means that the air conditioner would have to work longer and harder just to make that room comfortable.
In another room, further from the handler, the air gained so much heat while running through the long, uninsulated duct that it was coming out of the vents 10 degrees hotter than the target temperature. That room simply couldn't be made comfortable until late at night.
If you consider that an average of 40% of all the energy consumed by the typical home in the US goes towards heating and cooling, you can imagine how much energy and money this homeowner had been wasting year-round. Over the course of many years, just because the uninsulated and leaky air ducts run through an attic that is scorching hot during the summer and freezing cold during the winter, the homeowner was literally throwing money away.
At Dr. Energy Saver, we are passionate about finding and fixing problems like this one. Subscribe to our channel for the latest videos on how we can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Or call us to locate a dealer in your area and schedule your free estimate!

[@skang500]

I cannot tell you how helpful your videos have been. This video is about energy efficiency but I’ve been desperate to find a solution to a dusty home causing me and my family health problems. The master bed and bath have it the worst and I couldn’t figure out for the longest time WHY. I spent thousands with different contractors and no resolve. Now I have a plan, that thermal gun is a great idea to see if there’s leakage from the attic going into the master bed and bath. It sits right above the room. thank you so much!

[@kevingordon669]

I rented this nice apartment that a/c would never cool the place down, in Texas. I went into the attic and found the box was open, exposing the A coils. Soon as I put everything back and duct taped it it got cold, I left a note explaining what i found. There has to be a better way than putting this in the attic

[@ryanfoster8769]

Can you post some "after" videos showing the improvements in temperatures like this?

[@regionalbasementandcrawlsp3390]

Great information. This is a very helpful video.

[@chrisd4432]

This is one reason I went with Mitsubishi hyped heat mini splits, no ducts sucking up heat in summer and cold in winter plus they heat down to -15 Fahrenheit so could get rid of my oil boiler

[@joeb007]

What solution do you recommend? Insulating attic roof from inside or adding more insulation to the ducts or something else?

[@hmdwn]

Spray foam directly on the plywood decking and rafters... great way to hide any rot from a roof leaking roof = not such a good idea.

[@Andybaby]

So what's the solution?

[@jskweres2]

can i air seal with foam over the insulation that wraps the ducts (ducts are in the attic)?

[@shaynesabala]

Great information except one thing I didn't get, I turn my a/c up to 78 or 80 when I leave for work and back down to 73 when I get home. It not only gets to that temperature it does it in a matter of minutes.

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

Dr energy saver comes to vegas lots of home need help

[@brock2019]

No problem when air handler is in the basement.

[@proverbs2life]

Completely agree with the ductwork in an attic absorbing heat but it's completely false that the measurement you're reading is the air that's coming out Infared meters measure the surface not the actual air. Even if the plenum is warmer than the air coming out it will still cool the room to that desired temperature. It's a matter of how long it takes that makes it a true statement

[@freedomranch6094]

Spray foam does work

[@hmdwn]

it also helps rot the plywood decking on the inside.

[@freedomranch6094]

You should never use spray foam on decking. Never……

[@richt8297]

I think you need to get you’re AC checked.

[@mtbingadventures1551]

For sure, even though that attic is that hot that supply should be putting out 60 degree air or cooler if properly charged and working correctly.

[@QuangNguyen-ci7pc]

Talk too much... useless information,..

[@SwaggaTyme]

Quang Nguyen. Right. I thought I was just too impatient. Wasnt really saying anything useful was he