The ability of reflective insulation on HVAC ducts hinges on the effectiveness of the tape used to seal it.
Installing reflective insulation to achieve a high R-value when it is used on HVAC ductwork involves taping 2-3 inch wide strips of reflective insulation around the circumference of the air duct along the length of the duct at certain intervals, leaving a gap in between that is critical to achieving and maintaining a high R-value. Foil tape is used to secure these strips of insulation as well as to seal an outer layer of reflective insulation that will cover the surface of the duct.
After the spacer strips are taped around the duct, the HVAC contractor will cut a sheet of the same reflective insulation material to the size needed to wrap around the entire outside surface of the air duct. This sheet is then wrapped around the duct and taped with a high quality, UL listed HVAC tape along the length of the seam to securely seal it. The tape plays a critical role because it acts as the primary barrier for preventing air leaks and breaches that could compromise the performance of the insulation.
As the trend towards reflective insulation grows, finding a tape that can withstand the conditions demanded for the job proves to be a challenge. To learn more about tapes for reflective insulation, visit Shurtape.com.
