Ductwork: Which is better, from attic or crawlspace?
Andy
and air installed.
It is not a large home, about 1300 sq ft, with high ceilings. The
crawlspace is very low and in places hard to maneuver under as it is
now. The attic however is very accessable and seems the better choice.
We live in an area where we use heat and air in about equal amounts, so
is one way better than another?
Please give me your opinion, and thanks in advance for your advice.
Gary Edelman
few guys I work with. Everyone including myself preferred to have the
ductwork in the attic as opposed to the crawl space. There are however
some drawbacks also to system in the attic. Since the attic is
considerably hotter than the crawlspace in the summer there will be more
duct heat gain. Also assuming the Air Handler is also in the attic there
also the possibility of water damage if ther is a condensation leak. I
still would prefer my ductwork in the attic as long as the installation
is done correctly.
gary
William Williams
attic.
Billy Williams
Gary Edelman wrote in message <3716B685...@gte.net>...
AzVixen
How about a package unit on the roof, or install the air handler in a
closet?
Vicki
http://www.jonesandboze.com/lst3.htm
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Don Ocean
Dre...@webtv.net (Andy) wrote:
> In the renovation of our old home, we are planning to have central heat
> and air installed.
> It is not a large home, about 1300 sq ft, with high ceilings. The
> crawlspace is very low and in places hard to maneuver under as it is
> now. The attic however is very accessable and seems the better choice.
> We live in an area where we use heat and air in about equal amounts, so
> is one way better than another?
> Please give me your opinion, and thanks in advance for your advice.
>
>
Attic is great for A/C, as cold air drops. Of course you should insulate
ductwork... Crawlspace is great for heat... As heat migrates
upward....Alternate between the two and you have the expense of running
stackwall duct up or down the walls-depending on your choice of attic or
crawlspace. Fortunately we have basements here... But of course have the
problem of zoning, due to everyone makes living space out of the basement. So
a 1300 Sq Ft house here ends up being 2600 Sq Ft of living and
heating/cooling space. When one works on them - It is cool in the summer and
warm in the winter. I certainly can see the reason for attic ductwork in
other parts of the country though. I have seen crawlspace ductwork rust out
though. And in trailer houses, rodents and other pests like living in
crawlspace ductwork. Have fun in your decision making process... Don Ocean
Sioux Falls, SD
PS It would be nice if all problems stated would indicate a geographic
location. Climate does make a lot of difference in planning an environmental
system. And it is interesting to note the different problems encountered in
other parts of the world. One good idea can be worth millions in lack of grief
on the job...Too bad we can't charge for all our labor saving ideas...
ftwhd
>I was just discussing the issue of attic vs. crawl space today with a
>few guys I work with. Everyone including myself preferred to have the
>ductwork in the attic as opposed to the crawl space. There are however
>some drawbacks also to system in the attic. Since the attic is
>considerably hotter than the crawlspace in the summer there will be more
>duct heat gain. Also assuming the Air Handler is also in the attic there
>also the possibility of water damage if ther is a condensation leak. I
>still would prefer my ductwork in the attic as long as the installation
>is done correctly.
>
>gary
>
>
Gary how about installing an attic fan to help reduce the heat gain in
the attic duct. Another benifit would also be lower a/c energy bills
and lower attic temps for service. Either way servicing units in
attics or crawl spaces just plain sucks. As for the water problem, a
secondary emergency drain pan under the air handler would eliminate
that problem.
Regards, Mike
UA Local 370
to reply <ft...@accessflint.com>
AzVixen
> On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 03:59:03 GMT, Gary Edelman <gar...@gte.net> wrote:
>
> >I was just discussing the issue of attic vs. crawl space today with a
> >few guys I work with. Everyone including myself preferred to have the
> >ductwork in the attic as opposed to the crawl space. There are however
> >some drawbacks also to system in the attic. Since the attic is
> >considerably hotter than the crawlspace in the summer there will be more
> >duct heat gain. Also assuming the Air Handler is also in the attic there
> >also the possibility of water damage if ther is a condensation leak. I
> >still would prefer my ductwork in the attic as long as the installation
> >is done correctly.
> >
> >gary
> >
> >
What is the difference between an attic and a crawlspace? Or, maybe more
correctly, what are you guys calling a crawlspace? Is it something us Zonies
lack? We do have attics...
Vicki
http://www.jonesandboze.com/lst3.htm
Gary Edelman
> On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 03:59:03 GMT, Gary Edelman <gar...@gte.net> wrote:
>
> >I was just discussing the issue of attic vs. crawl space today with a
>
> >few guys I work with. Everyone including myself preferred to have the
>
> >ductwork in the attic as opposed to the crawl space. There are
> however
> >some drawbacks also to system in the attic. Since the attic is
> >considerably hotter than the crawlspace in the summer there will be
> more
> >duct heat gain. Also assuming the Air Handler is also in the attic
> there
> >also the possibility of water damage if ther is a condensation leak.
> I
> >still would prefer my ductwork in the attic as long as the
> installation
> >is done correctly.
> >
> >gary
> >
> >
> Gary how about installing an attic fan to help reduce the heat gain in
>
> the attic duct.
That's always a good idea but its usually not the AC man's decision.
> Either way servicing units in attics or crawl spaces just plain sucks.
Agreed.
> As for the water problem, a secondary emergency drain pan under the
> air handler would eliminate that problem.
It won't pass inspection here in Myrtle Beach without a secondary pan
piped out over a window & a float switch.
gary
p...@see_my_sig_for_address.com
> What is the difference between an attic and a crawlspace? Or, maybe more
>correctly, what are you guys calling a crawlspace? Is it something us Zonies
>lack? We do have attics...
You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it......
Try : A place under the house, ranging in clearance between
dirt and floor joists from 6 " to 3 ' ( in luxurious cases ). Floor
is raw dirt, sometimes ( sometimes not ) with some vapor barrier on
it. Lights: non-existant. Access : a small door ( like 1 x 2 feet )
at grade level, to crawl through. Watch for that first step, it's a
pisser ! People actually put not only ductwork down there ( cutting
into the aforementioned clearances ), they actually put furnaces (
including all fuel types), water heaters ( little short ones ), and
anything else you can think of down there. Then, the homeowner fills
up the little access area near the 'hatch' with everything you can
imagine - garden hoses, old lawn mowers, worn out tires, etc, so you
have to either go around, over, or through them ( on your belly, of
course ).
Watch out for the snakes, the camel crickets, the black
widows, and whatever else has taken up residence, and you'll be OK as
you crawl the length of the house ( on your knees if you're lucky, on
your belly if you're not ) to the unit ( which is always on the far
side from the door ). Hope you don't need to go out for a tool or
part.
Large fun :-)
Paul
>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~
pjm@(remove this part )pobox.com
My WWW site is at http://www.pobox.com/~pjm, featuring free HVAC software.
Do you want to help stop a spammer ? Call the President of Smart Systems
International, Mr. Joseph Riley, at 702-734-0044, and let him know what you
think of Marc Popeck's spamming of the HVAC groups ! Help him to understand
that spamming is abuse, it is not how you do business here !
Robert Gracie
actually is:-)
--
Robert Gracie
Gracie Appliance, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Come Visit Us!
www.GracieAppliance.com
Private Servicers Discussion Forum
www.gracieappliance.com/web_selfregistration_form.htm
<pjm@see_my_sig_for_address.com> wrote in message
news:3717cbe5...@news.concentric.net...
Matthew Whiting
You forgot to mention the mud. I replumbed my church lying on my back
in puddles of COLD water...
Great fun to say the least...
Matt
p...@see_my_sig_for_address.com
> ICK!!! That sounds like the space under a mobile home!
Heck no ! The spaces under mobile homes are fairly nice.....
>We definitely don't
>have them here. Our houses are built on concrete slabs, and basements are
>very, very rare and quite expensive.
Slab-on-grade is not usual here ( need footings deeper than
that ). In NY, full basements are the norm ( gotta dig anyway ).
Crawl spaces don't have a whole lot in common with basements, except
for being under houses :-)
>
> You can't pay me enough to crawl under a mobile home, so I feel sorry for
>you guys dealing with these crawl space thingies. But you mean you also have
>black widow spiders? Most condensing units in Phoenix come wih them. ;-)
_Now_ we're talkin' serious heeby-jeebies. If I saw one of
those little red dots on something with that many legs ( back in the
days when I worked on mechanical stuff ), that sucker saw exactly two
parts of me - shit and sneakers. The rest of me was somewhere down
the highway....
I _might_ ever return to that unit _only_ if I went home for a
few of my Glocks first. And maybe my Mini-14. And maybe file the
rear seer down a bit first, so it would do full-auto..... and a box of
3 & 1/2 " slugs to come along with my Mossberg..... and.......
Robert Reite
> Watch out for the snakes, the camel crickets, the black
> widows, and whatever else has taken up residence, and you'll be OK as
> you crawl the length of the house ( on your knees if you're lucky, on
> your belly if you're not ) to the unit ( which is always on the far
> side from the door ). Hope you don't need to go out for a tool or
> part.
>
> Large fun :-)
I was the skinny guy on the crew, so I always got the crawl space jobs,
(half the time, I was
the only guy that would fit!).
AzVixen
more
> >correctly, what are you guys calling a crawlspace? Is it something us Zonies
> >lack? We do have attics...
>
> You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it......
>
> Try : A place under the house, ranging in clearance between
> dirt and floor joists from 6 " to 3 ' ( in luxurious cases ). Floor
> is raw dirt, sometimes ( sometimes not ) with some vapor barrier on
> it. Lights: non-existant. Access : a small door ( like 1 x 2 feet )
> at grade level, to crawl through. Watch for that first step, it's a
> pisser ! People actually put not only ductwork down there ( cutting
> into the aforementioned clearances ), they actually put furnaces (
> including all fuel types), water heaters ( little short ones ), and
> anything else you can think of down there. Then, the homeowner fills
> up the little access area near the 'hatch' with everything you can
> imagine - garden hoses, old lawn mowers, worn out tires, etc, so you
> have to either go around, over, or through them ( on your belly, of
> course ).
>
> widows, and whatever else has taken up residence, and you'll be OK as
> you crawl the length of the house ( on your knees if you're lucky, on
> your belly if you're not ) to the unit ( which is always on the far
> side from the door ). Hope you don't need to go out for a tool or
> part.
>
> Large fun :-)
>
>
>
ICK!!! That sounds like the space under a mobile home! We definitely don't
have them here. Our houses are built on concrete slabs, and basements are
very, very rare and quite expensive.
You can't pay me enough to crawl under a mobile home, so I feel sorry for
you guys dealing with these crawl space thingies. But you mean you also have
black widow spiders? Most condensing units in Phoenix come wih them. ;-)
AzVixen
> those little red dots on something with that many legs ( back in the
> days when I worked on mechanical stuff ), that sucker saw exactly two
> parts of me - shit and sneakers. The rest of me was somewhere down
> the highway....
>
> I _might_ ever return to that unit _only_ if I went home for a
> few of my Glocks first. And maybe my Mini-14. And maybe file the
> rear seer down a bit first, so it would do full-auto..... and a box of
> 3 & 1/2 " slugs to come along with my Mossberg..... and.......
>
As long as I've lived here (all my life), I've never been bitten by one.
They scurry out of the way while I go to my truck to get something to spray
them with; belt dressing will kill them in moments, sprayed on their abdomen
as that's where their spiracles.
Every chiller room that has an outside door also houses a black widow
spider. The good part is, if you find one, they are solitary -- you won't
find a whole nest of them like scorpions.
Matthew Whiting
Naw, mobile homes are great compared to most house crawl spaces. The
area under a mobile home is usually better vented and much less damp.
Also, you rarely find HVAC equipment under a mobile home. Most of my
work under mobile homes was when I used to live in one and had to work
on frozen water lines when the heat tape failed. Of course, this
doesn't happen when it is 25 degrees out. It happens at 20 below with
the wind howling and it almost always happens at night...
Matt
HVACMAN
???? Oh yeah, them are those things that shrink up and tingle whenever I
think of spiders or when my wife hollars at me for spending too much
time on the 'puter.
AzVixen
> area under a mobile home is usually better vented and much less damp.
> Also, you rarely find HVAC equipment under a mobile home.
>
>
Maybe that's true where you are, but where does the ductwork from a package
unit on a slab next to the trailer tie into the floor registers?
--
Matthew Whiting
>
> In article <3718A099...@epix.net>,
> Matthew Whiting <whi...@epix.net> wrote:
> > very, very rare and quite expensive.
> >
> > Naw, mobile homes are great compared to most house crawl spaces. The
> > area under a mobile home is usually better vented and much less damp.
> > Also, you rarely find HVAC equipment under a mobile home.
> >
> > Matt
> >
>
> Maybe that's true where you are, but where does the ductwork from a package
> unit on a slab next to the trailer tie into the floor registers?
Sure the ducts will run underneath, but most of what needs serviced is
typically not under the trailer. I mean how often does ductwork fail or
need maintenance?
Matt
AzVixen
> Sure the ducts will run underneath, but most of what needs serviced is
> typically not under the trailer. I mean how often does ductwork fail or
> need maintenance?
>
> Matt
When someone is foolish enough to use DUCT TAPE instead of Airball to seal
it, all of the time, here.
Jim Barton
>Sure the ducts will run underneath, but
>most of what needs serviced is typically
>not under the trailer. I mean how often
>does ductwork fail or need maintenance?
>Matt
On double-wides with spilt systems the cross over duct is connected
directly under the air handler. When the drainpan on the coil leaks the
cross over duct fills up with water until it is so heavy it falls off.
The coil continues to dump up to 1 gal of water per hour until the
homeowner discovers half of his home isn't being conditioned. I once saw
this twice in one day.
Jim Barton
Matthew Whiting
>
> > Sure the ducts will run underneath, but most of what needs serviced is
> > typically not under the trailer. I mean how often does ductwork fail or
> > need maintenance?
> >
> > Matt
>
> it, all of the time, here.
What's Airball?
Matt
p...@see_my_sig_for_address.com
and wrote:
What Clinton threw Congress ? Sad part is, they missed it....
William Williams
Albeit one could consider an attic the same. Now my turn to ask; What is a
Zonie?
AzVixen wrote in message <7f8fnh$ogb$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>
>> On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 03:59:03 GMT, Gary Edelman <gar...@gte.net> wrote:
>>
>> >I was just discussing the issue of attic vs. crawl space today with a
>> >few guys I work with. Everyone including myself preferred to have the
>> >ductwork in the attic as opposed to the crawl space. There are however
>> >some drawbacks also to system in the attic. Since the attic is
>> >considerably hotter than the crawlspace in the summer there will be more
>> >duct heat gain. Also assuming the Air Handler is also in the attic there
>> >also the possibility of water damage if ther is a condensation leak. I
>> >still would prefer my ductwork in the attic as long as the installation
>> >is done correctly.
>> >
>> >gary
>> >
>> >
> Now, please bear with me, I'm a Zonie...
>
> What is the difference between an attic and a crawlspace? Or, maybe
more
>correctly, what are you guys calling a crawlspace? Is it something us
Zonies
>lack? We do have attics...
>
>
>
William Williams
some houses..
AzVixen wrote in message <7f8q11$15c$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>In article <3717cbe5...@news.concentric.net>,
> pjm@see_my_sig_for_address.com wrote:
>> AzVixen <vic...@usa.net> pondered briefly, and wrote:
>>
>> > What is the difference between an attic and a crawlspace? Or,
maybe
>more
>> >correctly, what are you guys calling a crawlspace? Is it something us
Zonies
>> >lack? We do have attics...
>>
>very, very rare and quite expensive.
>
> You can't pay me enough to crawl under a mobile home, so I feel sorry
for
>you guys dealing with these crawl space thingies. But you mean you also
have
>black widow spiders? Most condensing units in Phoenix come wih them. ;-)
>
>
p...@see_my_sig_for_address.com
long time, and wrote:
>I believe "Crawlspace" is refering to the accessable area under one's home.
>Albeit one could consider an attic the same. Now my turn to ask; What is a
>Zonie?
Lemme tell him ! Lemme tell him ! Please ?!? :-)
Ari_ZONIE_ an :-). One who lives in the arid zone. Or
Arizona.
AzVixen
Matthew Whiting <whi...@epix.net> wrote:
> AzVixen wrote:
> >
> > > Sure the ducts will run underneath, but most of what needs serviced is
> > > typically not under the trailer. I mean how often does ductwork fail or
> > > need maintenance?
> > >
> > > Matt
> >
> > When someone is foolish enough to use DUCT TAPE instead of Airball to seal
> > it, all of the time, here.
>
> What's Airball?
White stuff you paint on the joints to seal them -- what do you guys call
it? It must be a brand name...
> Matt
>
--
Jack Legg
mastic. They often don't even do things like: set the condenser on a
slab, install disconect, or run drain out from under home so if these
guys have a panduit gun they are a cut above the norm.
vicky said:
>White stuff you paint on the joints to seal them
>-- what do you guys call
>it? It must be a brand name...
>Vick
AzVixen
"William Williams" <Iam...@AikenElectric.net> wrote:
> I believe "Crawlspace" is refering to the accessable area under one's home.
> Albeit one could consider an attic the same. Now my turn to ask; What is a
> Zonie?
>
AzVixen
pjm@see_my_sig_for_address.com wrote:
> "William Williams" <Iam...@AikenElectric.net> pondered an excessively
>
> >I believe "Crawlspace" is refering to the accessable area under one's home.
> >Albeit one could consider an attic the same. Now my turn to ask; What is a
> >Zonie?
>
>
> Ari_ZONIE_ an :-). One who lives in the arid zone. Or
> Arizona.
>
> Paul
>
> >~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~>~~
> pjm@(remove this part )pobox.com
> My WWW site is at http://www.pobox.com/~pjm, featuring free HVAC software.
>
> Do you want to help stop a spammer ? Call the President of Smart Systems
> International, Mr. Joseph Riley, at 702-734-0044, and let him know what you
> think of Marc Popeck's spamming of the HVAC groups ! Help him to understand
> that spamming is abuse, it is not how you do business here !
>
--
Matthew Whiting
>
> In article <371A7B74...@epix.net>,
> Matthew Whiting <whi...@epix.net> wrote:
> > AzVixen wrote:
> > >
> > > > Sure the ducts will run underneath, but most of what needs serviced is
> > > > typically not under the trailer. I mean how often does ductwork fail or
> > > > need maintenance?
> > > >
> > > > Matt
> > >
> > > When someone is foolish enough to use DUCT TAPE instead of Airball to seal
> > > it, all of the time, here.
> >
> > What's Airball?
>
> it? It must be a brand name...
I've never sealed a duct so I don't call it anything!
Matt
John Roberson
opinion, Attic or Crawlspace?
Douglas Riise
That "white stuff they coat outside ductwork with" was called
Airball or aerbol. Like kleenex or freon. if you ask for this product
the counterman will hand you a can of something. I don"t know if
airball still exists (the clean air idiots here in cali drove many
mastic and coating people out).
dr
tolcott
wrote:
I'd like to add my .02 worth. Many mobile homes, especially older
models have terrible workmanship on the ducting and other rough ins
for electric and plumbing. Blower Door Tests reveals the oversized
openings and poorly sealed ducts especially in mobile homes. While a
heating system tune up always helps with efficiency, a significant
portion of heat loss is infiltration. Proper seal up using various
materials, expanding foam, (yes I said expanding foam), insulation,
and caulking and mastic for sealing ducts will reduce heat loss from
infiltration which can account for up to 20 or 25 percent of heating
requirements. This of course may also include poorly fitting windows,
doors, and poor window design. A whole system approach even in a moble
home will net greater results for energy cost savings usually with
minimal measure costs. For more info on this and other residential
energy information, check out Home Energy magazine at:
http://www.homeenergy.org/tocs.html
Bob Olcott, Olcott Energy Management
C.K. Matthews
or service in attics but much less humidity, which makes equipment work
harder. Not to mention the additional wear factor due to constant
moisture. Corrosion is a killer.
Just my 2 bits
hatcher4
AzVixen
Thanks for the clarification. Although I've always called it Airball, it's
been awhile since I saw that brand. (See, I started in this trade at the age
of five, right?)
katrina...@gmail.com
catalpa
<katrina...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:5ccf04f5-afbe-42ba...@googlegroups.com...
informed opinion on what to do.
Consult with HVAC pros, they will know what your best choice is.
Monte
I would definitely put the system in the crawl space if it is a reasonably
nice space because it will be much cooler in the summer and that cooling will
be the majority of your requirements. Lower temperature differentials will
make the system more efficient celling fans will also help. 40+ HVAC&R
--
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