Flexible Duct Work Installation - Building our Home in the Mountains

Flexible duct work installation is a pretty easy process. What do you think about flexible duct vs metal duct? We chose flexible duct because it is easier to install. We used duct tape, zip ties, and flexible duct connectors.

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[TheBanjoman]

Per code in some states; zip ties and tape should be used on inside of flex duct. Mastic is also applied to outside of flex duct at joints, over the silver tape. Research how to prevent registers/grilles from dripping moisture during cool mode.

[obwan]

I see comments about internet experts. I'm no internet expert but I am an Air conditioning contractor in Florida for 44 years. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give you a 4... What you've done is usable but not the best design.Everywhere bare metal is exposed will sweat....Down the road when the unit needs replacing the guy who gets the job is going to hate life . Imagine how tough it will be once insulation and drywall is installed how difficult it will be to get to it or to even work on it...

[davidmorris]

I would recommend adding some sheet metal screws to be absolutely sure the tape didnt dry out and fail. Particularly at the metal to metal joints.

[joesharp]

Mr. Johnson.. you guys are awesome. Although retired now, I can tell you that best practices are to foil tape "every" seam both on the suction side and discharge side, including all those seams in the handy swivel joints you are installing. I have used the flex duct and although it is not the most efficient as far as air flow, stick to 6" duct and above and keep the runs short (as I believe you have) and it should perform ok in your small upstairs living quarters. Also, bare metal left exposed will sweat (and eventually rust to destruction) due to the temperature difference (kind of like having a moisture barrier in your outside walls) so insulating any exposed metal ducting is important if you intend to live there for many years. Make sure to test your installation for adequate and intended airflow/temp control for each room, as changes and balancing are easier now than after drywall is installed. I am sure you and your wife are going to do a great job, I admire you both for taking this on and doing such a great job. Stay safe, stay positive, enjoy your great life on the homestead.... Joe

[augustreil]

How do you service the unit when it's in that ceiling, why isn't the return near the floor and why aren't you using metal tape on all the joints or duct butter, You need to tape all that insulation down to the metal joints, even if you have big zip ties. Just a few questions and suggestions, thanks.

[gvet]

Most every home in Albuquerque has the furnace in the attic, no basements. The registers are in the ceiling and the return is either in the ceiling or upper side wall. The bad part is the attic gets so hot in the summer the insulated duct gets heated. When the refrigerated air comes on you first get a blast of heat till the ducts cool too. Over time some of those flex ducts can collapse so need to be checked. Heat can take the temper out of the wire.

[countrykid]

you have made good progress, about the duct work. with that flex you want to use those panduit straps on the inner jacket, they make a hand tool to tighten and it also cuts off the excess. I like to do it twice to make sure its tight, then you can also get some short 1/4 inch sheet metal screws to run a couple in the straps to hold them in place. then you can wrap with tape to seal, then the insolation jacket it helps to roll the outside lip inward and then use the same straps and tighten down that over the inner jacket so it keeps the insolation in the jacket and holds it in place otherwise you can run the risk of them blowing off of the registers. I dont get into much ductwork since im in commercial work but what little we do work on thats how we do it. I have seen them blown apart and normally not in a fun place to try to get back into to repair. If you only taped the inner jacket it would be worth going back and strapping those down. Otherwise a good video.

[timhale]

Foil tape works better than "duct tape Most of the duct tape will be loose after a few years

[johnquinn]

make sure all your joints are sealed well. this is super important.use silver tape over the duct tape

[jeffclark]

Amazing how ventilation standards vary around the world but at the time so similar.
In NZ our commercial flexible ducting is rated at R1.0 so to see R8.0 to suit your conditions is WOW... watching your installation of Flexible ducting is better than how I see it installed here by so called qualified installers. Flexible ducting is a FANS worst enemy for an efficient ventilation system but well done, impressed from someone installing for the first time.
My son is an Apprentice HVAC Engineer following in my footsteps and watches your videos I'll make a point to show him how you have installed you system.
Good job

[chetpierzchala]

You could have came from the bottom of the furnace for that 14" return. Is there a filter installed anywhere??

[WarpFactor]

Normally the cold air return would be lower...

[erikcable]

strait heat job, so 7-6" outlets will work here. 14" return is good for 700 cfm. the house will need a small 40, 000 furnace. Fun times building your own house.

[timhale]

at 1.40 you should use 3 screws to secure the round pipe to the take off. before usinf foil duct tape.

[squeekhobby]

Great job. Any reason why a split ac system is not opted ?

[GeoffreyWoolfendenbonbon]

Great to watch you guys from here in the UK however Martin don't tighten the zip ties too much as you are crushing the insulation, which will allow heat to escape. Try zip tying the inner core tight and the insulation less so. hope this helps.

[akwolf]

Shouldn't your return air ducting be down at the floor level if you're trying to recirculate the colder air? Your putting out warm air from the ceiling vents, and warm air rises, so then you are just re-grabbing that warm air to heat it again.

[qbeard]

They make a zip tie gun that cinches them down super tight and cuts the excess off at maximum attainable tension.

[kemosite]

I've doubled-up zip ties like that (technique, not 3 ft. long...) to secure my networking equipment to my pegboard.

[larryceaser]

Just a question not any sort of criticism Should your return air not be at floor level As I understand HVAC if heat is coming in the top return air should be on the bottom or you will have cold floors Like I said just a question All the best from Allenford, Ontario, Canada