This should be mandatory viewing for all HVAC people. I’m about to go repair a bunch of trunk line leaks by using alcohol and tape and mastic and this video just added days to my job because I can’t unsee all the bends and touch points of duct on trusses. I will happily be resolving all these issues knowing that I did them right, once, and never have to deal with them again. Thank you.
Such a legend... When I first started in the trade I credit a lot of what I know to this guy, and to this day he's still putting out great content. Thank you Brian!
Appreciate the lesson. I'm just a homeowner, but trying to get educated on how to improve my home's energy efficiency, to lower my painfully increasing electric and gas bills. Seems my situation is different because my A/C and ductwork in all in the basement and it's a conditioned space, therefore leaks and condensation probably aren't as much of a factor as they are as when it's all up in a hot humid unconditioned attic. Still, I can use these techniques for optimizing the system.
This channel is great. I'm trying to improve my airflow and reduce my air leakage from the homeowner-done hvac job and I have learned a ton. Unfortunately, most of my flex duct is resting on the joists in my attic and I'm not sure there is enough slack to lift it off the joists, but I'm going to try. If that doesn't work, I may be replacing all the ducting as time and money allows.
Thank you for this great video! When I added straps to my ducts, I put a sleeve underneath the ducts made from cardboard to avoid compression and kinks. Also for each boot, I added some Malco FDS1- Flexible Duct Support to keep a nice curve from the floor. They can be used as well if you have some ducts leaving the plenum at an angle. Also, if the attic has already a radiant barrier, it doesn't matter if your ducts are black or silver, something to consider. While ducts are part of the system, sealing and insulating the plenum is something to do to help against air leaks and temperature swing.
Not planning to have any flexible ductwork in my build, and mostly planning the ducts for ventilation because my next home will be in a region that doesn't need much cooling. But best practice is never wasted!
If you look closely at the foil you will see good flex has reinforced string every 1/4" instead of every 1/2" that some manufacturers use. Reduces rips when moving it around during installation.
Very informative as always. Good tips about silver/black duct and best ways to make connections. Really wish there was more about different types than just flex but still good video. I know you have to keep to your market.
Black flex duct in the attic is "less efficient" in the cooling season, but black flex duct in the attic is "more efficient" in the heating season. Correct? What ACCA approved J-manual software addresses the flex duct covering color, which then includes its heat gains or losses?
I have a question, on round metal duct work return air systems, specifically adjacent pipe connection, does the return air duct have to follow IRC Duct Lap rule. I understand the Supply air needs to follow this principle, but does the return air branch duct connections need to follow this rule as well?
Hey have you ever tested wrapping one pass of mastic tape around the collar which has a little “give” and will act as a seal - and then use the panduit strap which should compress down into the mastic tape. I think I would rather do that then play with mastic inside the collar
I bought a house in 2022. The hvac hadn't been updated since house was built in 1996. The ducts had stinky mold so we decided to have new hvac and all ductwork replaced. Hvac system and box shaped sheet metal duct (with insulation inside) trunklines were in crawlspace with flex ducts running off metal trunk line. We had a small company replace all ducts and complete system. I was kinda surprised after install when I noticed they didn't use any sheetmetal ducts at all... only flex ducts for the entire system... Is that normal? Anything wrong with using all flex ducts to replace old metal trunk line?
How do I know the maximum airflow, CFM, that can be handled by some 6” flex duct I have in my attic, if I put in a booster fan to be able to increase aire flow at certain times? The duct says 4000 FPM maximum, it’s 6” duct and I’ve got about 15’ of duct run before the booster fan and then 15’ after The dan to the vent? Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Why would anyone purposely install a unit into a very hot attic (140/150 F) and expect it to be efficient? System spec’s are most likely being violated! Please explain without sarcasm. Thanks!
Retrofits and remodels. Here in the DC/Baltimore area, brick rowhouses have this all the time, especially high velocity units. It opens the floor/wall space that a closet air handler/furnace takes up. Flippers are mostly about profits more than efficiency. In detached new builds around here with bigger, more open truss attics, that system is usually just for the upper floor zone so any efficiency comes from it not having to condition the entire house, only up there.
I need to tape up the hole in the top of my furnace which was cut to put the air duct in which goes up into the ceiling and outside. What should I use to tape it up? The duct gets hot. Thank you.
Northeast, land of crawlspace and damp basements. Literally rains off the insulation blanket. Ruins F/G wrap. I love the foil bubble wrap. Now a growing business is crawlspace incapsulation, sealed with dehumidifiers. You can smell the difference in new homes with a incapsulation system installed over homes just a few years old without them sealed and conditioned.
Pretty sure the black stuff for trailers are thicker material that can lay against water and the ground. Silver stuff is more easily torn through by critters and tears more easily when laying against the ground.
Metal ducts are the only way to go, which I found out the hard. First I had flexible ducts installed and they off gassed so bad it made my nose burn severely. After several months of this I concluded it would never end and had it taken out and metal put in. What a financial nightmare.
All due respect if you use a panduit gun on the inner and outer it’s not leaking at all….I realize the codes vary in certain markets but if you use a gun properly there’s no way
Flex is all garbage, and is even illegal in some areas. Better not put it under a skylight,because it will blow apart from degrading in the sun. I. Have had numerous calls where rats chewed thru the stuff and peed and pooped inside it. Metal duct is the only way to go. But of course, sadly, standards have changed. Flex duct was designed to be used for short connections to the diffusers. A properly used set of panduit straps is superior, but you have to use the tool to tension them properly. They won’t fall off if you use a collar with a bead. Just examine the labor difference. Two straps, liner and outer jacket, then a wrap of insulation over the top. All that fussing over mastic, tape, etc, etc to seal an inferior duct product just doesn’t make sense. I’m not trashing the instructor here, I think he is great. I am trashing flex duct though, I’ll have to admit.
I appreciate the tips. I love adding more knowledge to my arsenal.
This should be mandatory viewing for all HVAC people. I’m about to go repair a bunch of trunk line leaks by using alcohol and tape and mastic and this video just added days to my job because I can’t unsee all the bends and touch points of duct on trusses. I will happily be resolving all these issues knowing that I did them right, once, and never have to deal with them again. Thank you.
Yeah everytime I see ducts through truces I cringe and pull out the hanging strap
Such a legend... When I first started in the trade I credit a lot of what I know to this guy, and to this day he's still putting out great content. Thank you Brian!
Emin HVAC hasn't posted in years but his channel is awesome for the commercial side.
It's Bryan with a y 😉
@@naughtiusmaximus1811 thanks, was wanting to expand my knowledge base
How long have you been in the trade?
Appreciate the lesson. I'm just a homeowner, but trying to get educated on how to improve my home's energy efficiency, to lower my painfully increasing electric and gas bills. Seems my situation is different because my A/C and ductwork in all in the basement and it's a conditioned space, therefore leaks and condensation probably aren't as much of a factor as they are as when it's all up in a hot humid unconditioned attic. Still, I can use these techniques for optimizing the system.
This channel is great. I'm trying to improve my airflow and reduce my air leakage from the homeowner-done hvac job and I have learned a ton. Unfortunately, most of my flex duct is resting on the joists in my attic and I'm not sure there is enough slack to lift it off the joists, but I'm going to try. If that doesn't work, I may be replacing all the ducting as time and money allows.
Thank you for this great video!
When I added straps to my ducts, I put a sleeve underneath the ducts made from cardboard to avoid compression and kinks. Also for each boot, I added some Malco FDS1- Flexible Duct Support to keep a nice curve from the floor. They can be used as well if you have some ducts leaving the plenum at an angle.
Also, if the attic has already a radiant barrier, it doesn't matter if your ducts are black or silver, something to consider. While ducts are part of the system, sealing and insulating the plenum is something to do to help against air leaks and temperature swing.
Not planning to have any flexible ductwork in my build, and mostly planning the ducts for ventilation because my next home will be in a region that doesn't need much cooling. But best practice is never wasted!
So, black flex is less likely to sweat in an attic, seems like it does have a silver lining...
I see what you did there
This is mad helpful for me. Answered a few questions that I had.
Nice lecture on conduction convection and exhaustion
If you look closely at the foil you will see good flex has reinforced string every 1/4" instead of every 1/2" that some manufacturers use. Reduces rips when moving it around during installation.
I think you're ready for Ivy League HVAC instruction! Great video!
Very informative as always. Good tips about silver/black duct and best ways to make connections. Really wish there was more about different types than just flex but still good video. I know you have to keep to your market.
Black flex duct in the attic is "less efficient" in the cooling season, but black flex duct in the attic is "more efficient" in the heating season. Correct? What ACCA approved J-manual software addresses the flex duct covering color, which then includes its heat gains or losses?
Great points Bryan. Thank you.
I have a question, on round metal duct work return air systems, specifically adjacent pipe connection, does the return air duct have to follow IRC Duct Lap rule. I understand the Supply air needs to follow this principle, but does the return air branch duct connections need to follow this rule as well?
Awesome training. I’d love to see a tutorial for 4 piecing duct board
Hey have you ever tested wrapping one pass of mastic tape around the collar which has a little “give” and will act as a seal - and then use the panduit strap which should compress down into the mastic tape. I think I would rather do that then play with mastic inside the collar
I hate to remove it later
Yes, I love installing it that way Joe
That's how I do it
I bought a house in 2022. The hvac hadn't been updated since house was built in 1996. The ducts had stinky mold so we decided to have new hvac and all ductwork replaced. Hvac system and box shaped sheet metal duct (with insulation inside) trunklines were in crawlspace with flex ducts running off metal trunk line.
We had a small company replace all ducts and complete system.
I was kinda surprised after install when I noticed they didn't use any sheetmetal ducts at all... only flex ducts for the entire system...
Is that normal? Anything wrong with using all flex ducts to replace old metal trunk line?
I don’t normally do ductwork try to avoid it. But as usual when I watch one of your videos I learn something.
🤔 black vs silver flex. Are you referring to the inside afyer insulation
or outside before insulation
hello, can duct asbest be replacing for flexible duct??
How do I know the maximum airflow, CFM, that can be handled by some 6” flex duct I have in my attic, if I put in a booster fan to be able to increase aire flow at certain times? The duct says 4000 FPM maximum, it’s 6” duct and I’ve got about 15’ of duct run before the booster fan and then 15’ after The dan to the vent? Thanks in advance for any help on this.
I never like F/G ductwork. Maybe for a very small systems. I like wrapped metal. In a basement use ridged pipe, then wrapped.
Love the channel👍👍👍
Learned slot watching yall
!!!
Keep up the great work
Why would anyone purposely install a unit into a very hot attic (140/150 F) and expect it to be efficient? System spec’s are most likely being violated! Please explain without sarcasm. Thanks!
Retrofits and remodels. Here in the DC/Baltimore area, brick rowhouses have this all the time, especially high velocity units. It opens the floor/wall space that a closet air handler/furnace takes up. Flippers are mostly about profits more than efficiency. In detached new builds around here with bigger, more open truss attics, that system is usually just for the upper floor zone so any efficiency comes from it not having to condition the entire house, only up there.
what are your thoughts of the Rheia system in Florida?
I don't know, but Rhea Seahorn is great in Better Call Saul.
I literally clapped when I heard you say flexduct should only be used for straight runs.
Yea nobody does that in the northwest lol. Crazy bends and runs with flex in attics. Kinks all over the place is the norm.
Very informative such a great teacher
Sir how can enroll with your school I want also to learn more about HVAC
How often do flex ducts have to be cleaned with heppa filter
I need to tape up the hole in the top of my furnace which was cut to put the air duct in which goes up into the ceiling and outside. What should I use to tape it up? The duct gets hot. Thank you.
Use 367 tape it
And sheet metal
Good information, thanks
Northeast, land of crawlspace and damp basements. Literally rains off the insulation blanket. Ruins F/G wrap. I love the foil bubble wrap. Now a growing business is crawlspace incapsulation, sealed with dehumidifiers. You can smell the difference in new homes with a incapsulation system installed over homes just a few years old without them sealed and conditioned.
Thank you!
Why should you not use silver duct under a manufactured home?
Pretty sure the black stuff for trailers are thicker material that can lay against water and the ground. Silver stuff is more easily torn through by critters and tears more easily when laying against the ground.
Thank the lord for sheet metal in basements
Thanks for you work
Great job
Great content
I'm hoping someday (probably after I retire), it will be code to have all ducting within the thermal envelope.
Man I looked in my attic and I saw every "don't " up there.
Metal ducts are the only way to go, which I found out the hard. First I had flexible ducts installed and they off gassed so bad it made my nose burn severely. After several months of this I concluded it would never end and had it taken out and metal put in. What a financial nightmare.
Bypass dampers for zone systems will make it sweat. I never use bypass dampers.
Thanks!
Thank you
I couldn't tell if he said Problem Attic or problematic. Both are synonymous lol
All due respect if you use a panduit gun on the inner and outer it’s not leaking at all….I realize the codes vary in certain markets but if you use a gun properly there’s no way
I agree
black steel connections
Time stamps would be good
Time Stamps added!
I hope you recognize me sir
👍🏻
#THEREALHVACMASTER
You mean the HVAC guru himself isn't using concrete duct collars? What they heck man, I'm disappointed.
Flex is all garbage, and is even illegal in some areas. Better not put it under a skylight,because it will blow apart from degrading in the sun. I. Have had numerous calls where rats chewed thru the stuff and peed and pooped inside it. Metal duct is the only way to go. But of course, sadly, standards have changed. Flex duct was designed to be used for short connections to the diffusers. A properly used set of panduit straps is superior, but you have to use the tool to tension them properly. They won’t fall off if you use a collar with a bead. Just examine the labor difference. Two straps, liner and outer jacket, then a wrap of insulation over the top. All that fussing over mastic, tape, etc, etc to seal an inferior duct product just doesn’t make sense. I’m not trashing the instructor here, I think he is great. I am trashing flex duct though, I’ll have to admit.
11:21 - A problematic addict in a problem attic (say _that_ three times fast!)
He would get fired his first day at work , you cant do a lot of what he is advising to do !
lots of wanna be comedians in the class