Thermal Control and Energy Efficiency

The thermal insulating properties of fiber glass help reduce energy consumption and promote comfortable temperatures. Insulated ducts help a school's HVAC system operate more efficiently, reducing energy use and operating cost. These savings can be achieved using fiber glass duct wrap or liner for sealed metal duct systems or by using fiber glass duct board. Fiber glass air handling insulations deliver conditioned air at the desired temperature throughout the building.

Take the example of a bare sheet metal duct running through plenum space that is 80°F. Air cooled to 55°F can rise almost 10° moving just 100 feet under such conditions. In contrast, air carried in a duct fabricated of fiber glass rises less than 2°. Not only does this deliver greater comfort, it is a proven opportunity for cost saving because it reduces energy consumption. Large amounts of energy are required to condition air to desired warm or cool temperatures. Any conditioned air that is lost through leaky ducts is equivalent to energy lost. The high R-values of fiber glass duct insulations prevent this expensive loss. Energy codes are rapidly changing from state to state and even county to county. By keeping current with local energy codes or following the guidance of the International Model Energy Code or ASHRAE Energy Standard 90.1, school facilities managers can deliver the most conditioned air benefit for the lowest cost.

The thermal properties of fiber glass insulation contribute to energy savings another way. Because they deliver conditioned air at desired temperatures throughout the building it is not necessary to oversize HVAC equipment to maintain temperatures. Not only do schools save on original equipment costs, they save the energy that would have been required to operate oversized equipment. Insulated air ducts help you get full value from your HVAC investment.