Additionally, the material is GREENGUARD ® Gold certified. This design helps prevent damage to the insulation and surrounding areas. Microlite FSK duct wrap comes with an FSK (foil scrim kraft) facing, designed to help ensure a closed system that prevents moisture drive and offers condensation control. 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.įor contractors looking for R-12 duct warp, Microlite FSK Formaldehyde-free™ duct wrap is the only duct wrap on the market with an installed R-value of R-12 in a single layer. Three-inch Linacoustic RC also has a glass-mat surface coated with Permacote ®, an acrylic, antimicrobial coating designed to help protect the airstream surface. Our 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. Historically, Linacoustic RC has had a reputation for being easy to work with and fabricate, and our 3” liner is no different. 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” Linacoustic ® RC and the first R-12 duct wrap insulation, 4.4" Microlite FSK Duct Wrap.
#Iecc 2018 vs ashrae 90.1 2016 install
This leads to the second challenge: double layering insulation is costly, both in terms of material, and the amount of time it takes to fabricate and install two layers of insulation. As a result, installers have had to double-layer the insulation to attain the required thermal performance. First, R-12 duct insulations have been largely absent from the HVAC market. For installers, the challenge has been two-fold.
However, these new codes have also created new and unique challenges for system installers and designers. * 2015 IECC: C403.2.9 – Duct and Plenum Insulation & Sealing
#Iecc 2018 vs ashrae 90.1 2016 code
The commercial IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 introduced the R-12 code change in an effort to address the inefficiencies of these types of duct systems. As a result, commercial ducts in unconditioned and exterior spaces in climate zones 5-8 have typically required much more energy to maintain consistent temperatures than those in zones 1-4. They often experience much colder weather patterns than zones 1-4. ASHRAE 90.1 2016 defines “exterior” spaces as including, “attics above insulated ceilings, parking garages, and crawl spaces,” 2 as well as spaces outside the building envelope, such as rooftop ducts.Īs you can see in the map below, climate zones 5-8 are in the middle to northern part of the country. While the IECC doesn’t specify what qualifies as an “unconditioned” or “exterior” space, the ASHRAE 90.1 2016 code offers a unique definition for exterior spaces.
“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. The 2015 commercial IECC states the following:Ĭ403.2.9 – Duct and Plenum Insulation & Sealing 1 Specifically, these codes called for commercial ducts in unconditioned (IECC only) and exterior (IECC & ASHRAE 90.1) spaces in climate zones 5-8 to be insulated with R-12 insulation. Interestingly, both the 2015 commercial IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 2016 made a new change regarding the thermal resistance requirements for commercial duct insulations in unconditioned and exterior spaces.
The code is designed to help promote the use of new materials, technology, and energy efficient designs. The IECC is a prescriptive code that has established regulations for energy efficient buildings.
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.