R6 vs R8 Duct Insulation ; What is the Difference?
The distribution method for dispersing warm or cooled air in a structure is ductwork. When it comes to ducting, Sheet metal is the most common answer. Most of it gets insulated in residential installations. An R-value, a measure of thermal resistance, is used to quantify insulation. As a result, the insulation is more effective the higher the value. The R6 and R8 ducting systems serve as examples. But which one is the best, r6 vs r8 duct insulation? This article will contrast R6 and R8 ducting and weigh their advantages and disadvantages.
What is Duct Insulation?
First of all, what is duct insulation? Due to the high thermal capabilities of ISOVER glass wool, internal duct insulation solutions get primarily created to give acoustic insulation to the air vents. Remember, they also help us to improve the thermal performance. The good thing is all of our products are safe to use and soluble.. The items don’t burn and don’t produce smoke.
R-Value Definition
What is the r-value in duct insulation? Thermal resistance, sometimes referred to as R-value by the US Department of Energy, is “the insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat movement.” An insulator is a substance having a higher R-value. Simply said, the R-value gauges how well an insulating material is performing. The insulating material’s nature, thickness, and density are a few variables that affect R-value.
R-Value Insulation Materials
We use a variety of insulations, such as duct boards, wraps, lines, and more, to insulate ducts. You must be aware of how much R insulation value these materials give to the duct insulation to raise its R-value to R-6 or R-8. The most popular duct insulation products, together with their corresponding R-values, are listed below:
- The R-value of duct liners is around R-4 per inch of thickness. A 1-inch duct liner, a 1.5-inch duct liner, and a 2-inch duct liner have an R-value of R-4, R-6, and R-8. Due to their low cost, high R-value per inch, and simple installation, these liners are the most widely used method of duct insulation. For instance, you would require 3-inch duct liners for R-12 flex duct insulation.
- The R-value of duct wrap is around R-4.2 per inch of thickness. Duct wraps and duct liners are pretty similar.
- The R-value of the duct board is around R-4.35 per inch of thickness. For most air ducts, you would typically utilise a 2-inch duct board with an R-8.7 insulation rating.
R6 Duct Insulation
What are the Pros of R6 Duct Insulation?
- R6 ducting is less expensive than R8 ducting, thus, you spend less on materials.
- The external diameter of R6 is smaller, and it is more flexible.
- Compared to R-4 ducting, R6 delivers better thermal efficiency.
What are the Cons of R6 Insulation?
- When you install ducts with R6 ducting, your HVAC system will be less effective.
R8 Duct Insulation
What are the Pros of R8 Duct Insulation?
- R8 ducting provides improved thermal efficiency since its insulation is thicker.
- R8 ducting’s efficiency results in decreased energy utility costs for you.
What are the Cons of R8 Insulation?
- When installing your air conditioner, R8 ducting is more expensive than R6 ducting.
- Whenever you wish to improve your ducting system, R8 ducting, which is thicker, may not be able to replace R6 ducting, which has a smaller diameter.
R6 vs R8 Duct Insulation – What is the Difference?
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Thickness
One of the most obvious distinctions between R6 and R8 ducting is the thickness of the ducting materials used to construct them. Insulation is thicker in R8 ducting than in R6 ducting. When it comes to air conditioning installation, R8 ducting will provide better insulation than R6 ducting.
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Efficiency
R6 ducting is less effective than R8 ducting in terms of heat insulation efficiency. R8 lowers energy loss by around 2%, which equates to a 3% reduction in energy use.
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Cost
R8 ducting has a larger diameter than R6 ducting and is thus more expensive. The better insulation and energy-saving capabilities of R8 ducting may also account for its greater price. Therefore, plan on spending extra if you construct ducting using R8 ducting.
R-value for Home Project
The temperature zone where you’re working and the position of the ducting inside the property are the two primary factors you need to consider when determining how higher the R-value has to be for the home renovation project that you are presently working on.
- High R-values are crucial for residences that get situated in cold climates. The R-value for ductwork in an attic should range from R6 and R11. R2 to R11 should be enough for ducting installed in a crawlspace or unheated basement.
- A high R-value is somewhat less crucial for homes in MIXED CLIMATE zones, but it can still help homeowners save money during the colder months. An R-value between R4 and R8 is adequate if the ductwork gets situated in an attic. If the ducting gets installed in a crawlspace or unheated basement, the range increases; R2 to R8 will likely function.
- If the ducting gets positioned in the attic, you should still search for new ducts with R-values between R4 and R8 in homes situated in WARM CLIMATES. You may likely get away with no insulation at all if the ducting gets placed in a crawlspace or an unheated basement, but most home remodelers opt for ducting with an R2 or R4 value to be safe and help the homeowner save money.
Final Thought
It’s challenging to discuss the optimum r6 vs r8 duct insulation. There aren’t any significant differences in the R-values of duct liners, wraps, and boards, and they’re all fairly good.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with enough knowledge to determine whether or not air duct insulation is necessary, when it should get installed, what the duct R-value should be, and which duct insulation options are available.
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