(Acoustic) Insulation at First Floor Above a Sealed/Conditioned Crawl Space?
ricog101
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
I have a new construction project with a sealed & conditioned crawl space. The crawl space will be insulated with 4” of Roxul Comfortboard at the interior side of concrete stem walls and 2” of rigid insulation under a rat slab).
I’ve read that insulation should NOT be included in the first floor over a sealed/conditioned crawlspace because it can “set up a dangerous condition where the mechanically vented crawlspace becomes cold enough to produce condensation”.
We want to include acoustic insulation in the first floor to help reduce mechanical noise created in the crawlspace. Is this really a problem if the crawlspace is adequately conditioned and since it is very well insulated at stem walls and under the rat slab?
Replies
I think the key is in how you are conditioning the space.
If there is active temperature and humidity management, I would think you would be ok.
If your crawlspace conditioning is stealing some cold air from the hvac system without control, you could over-cool and cause issues. (the main floor would gain more heat from exposed walls, windows, and roof, and call for more cooling airflow, resulting in an excess in the crawl space.)
If you set up a separate cooling zone in the crawl space, it would help. a good HVAC firm should be able to help with figures and options.