Hi everyone,
I am in the process of buiding a new home. The house will be insulated with spray foam. R8 ducts are in my HVAC contract. But when I checked on the installation today, I noticed they were installing R6 ducts.
My questions are should I just leave the R6 and be reimbursed the difference in cost? Or should I insist on R8 ducts? In a conditioned space does R6 vs R8 ducts make a difference?
Thanks.
Replies
depending on the level of encapsulation your getting with the foam, you may be ok with 6. i would request they install 8...well actually the code officer would required it here.
closed cell or open cell foam? walls subfloor and roof? or just walls?
Act NOW
Call it to their attention, and hold them to the R8 specification.
This will put them on notice that you're paying attention. I don't care what they "alwys do" or what "code allows." The specification was there, it was agreed to - and just shaving a few dollars off the bill at the end of the job is no substitute for doing the job they promised.
Otherwise, heaven alone knows where they'll cut corners.
Are you saying that your complete mechanical ducting system (including all main trunks and returns) is within your conditioned building envelope? If so, then you're already ahead of the game. If not, then the difference between using R6 and R8 ducting would be low on my list of concerns.