Should you keep duct work out of the attic?

Frank Liu Published: July 23, 2020, 8:53 a.m.Last updated: July 24, 2020, 2:20 p.m.

Research has shown vented roof with air tight attic can save 20% energy. Have you done that before? And suggestion for new 2 story build ?

Responses (1)

Mike Reynolds July 24, 2020, 2:16 p.m. Reply

I don’t fully understand sorry, can you give us more details? In the research you mention, where does the 20% energy saving come from, meaning compared to what? Homes should be airtight and have a suitable amount of insulation for the climate zone where they are built whether the roof is vented or unvented. read more here -

How much insulation does a home need?

How to install an air barrier to reduce air leakage and energy loss

As for your other question, yes, duct work should be kept within the conditioned space. Running heating vents through a frozen attic would result in significant heat loss, and in hot climates, running air conditioning ducts through a hot attic will be a completely unnecessary loss of energy as well. What climate zone are you building in? and are you doing renovations or is this for a new home build?

Professional services

Related Advice

How to insulate an apartment you don't own?

Posted by Teresa Cunningham Oct. 21, 2019, 3 p.m. Wall assemblies - renovation 1 Responses

How do you add an Air Exchanger to a house with Hot Water Heat?

Posted by Bob Engelhart June 17, 2020, 10:08 a.m. Ventilation 3 Responses

What is the best way to insulate a crawlspace to keep humidity down and stop odors?

Posted by Dave Bell Oct. 24, 2019, 3:57 p.m. Crawl spaces 3 Responses

I have chronic illness from the air quality of my home, can you help determine if I need to replace the HVAC system?

Posted by Niki Harrison Sept. 6, 2019, 4:32 p.m. HRV and ERV 2 Responses

What should I be looking for in a heat recovery ventilator?

Posted by Adam Y. Dec. 11, 2017, 1:07 p.m. HRV and ERV 1 Responses

What are the most cost-effective green building strategies in new home construction?

Posted by M T Nov. 4, 2019, 11:07 a.m. Concept and design 3 Responses

Is it common to insulate the Plumbing lines for modern buildings?

Posted by Babak K July 17, 2020, 1:49 a.m. Plumbing and water heaters 2 Responses

Can you Insulate a cinder block basement foundation with Rockwool?

Posted by Victor B June 19, 2019, 11:41 p.m. Basements improvements 5 Responses

I have many issues with my house where should I start?

Posted by Bryan Squirrell Sept. 29, 2019, 3:08 p.m. Wall assemblies - renovation 1 Responses

What is the best insulation Under 2" Cement flat Roof in NYC?

Posted by Rafael Mor March 29, 2019, 5:19 a.m. Roof assemblies - new construction 1 Responses

Can you put hemp insulation in an attic?

Posted by Pamella Weatherly-Phillips Aug. 16, 2019, 11:49 a.m. Roof assemblies - renovation 1 Responses

How do I stop a leak from my attic?

Posted by Markus Duess Feb. 11, 2019, 12:42 a.m. Roof assemblies - renovation 1 Responses

How can I get rid of moisture between the vapor barrier and the insulation in a basement?

Posted by David Mitchell Aug. 14, 2018, 6:32 p.m. Basements improvements 8 Responses

Improving the efficiency of a home built in 1978 during renovations, do I need an HRV?

Posted by joe cruikshank Feb. 8, 2020, 12:08 p.m. HRV and ERV 1 Responses

How you vent a metal roof?

Posted by Kim jarrett July 12, 2019, 12:15 p.m. Roof coverings 3 Responses

Will I save energy by lowering my thermostat at night?

Posted by Ryan Peterson May 1, 2018, 11:51 a.m. Heating and cooling 4 Responses

How do I insulate my half below grade basement?

Posted by tom mckeand Oct. 14, 2019, 11:01 p.m. Basements improvements 1 Responses

How do you remove moisture and condensation from basement walls?

Posted by Aaron Keating July 27, 2019, 4:51 p.m. Basements improvements 3 Responses

Can you use Foam boards on basement walls to stop condensation?

Posted by Chad Johnson Dec. 21, 2019, 7:59 p.m. Basements improvements 3 Responses

Should I replace my geothermal system with a gas boiler?

Posted by Lawrence Brusnyk Oct. 31, 2018, 8:07 p.m. Heat pumps, geothermal and AC 1 Responses

How do you prevent walls from rotting in humid climates?

Posted by Rose Alderson Nov. 5, 2018, 4:34 p.m. Wall assemblies - new construction 1 Responses

Why is there fost on underside of roof deck in overhang?

Posted by George Paul March 23, 2020, 12:10 p.m. Roof assemblies - renovation 2 Responses

Combo structural sheathing, WRB and thin insulation panel in Ontario?

Posted by Steve Bull Jan. 14, 2020, 6:06 p.m. Walls and Roofs 3 Responses

What are your thoughts about incorporating natural ventilation techniques into the heating/cooling/ventilation design of a house?

Posted by dean c Jan. 18, 2020, 3:51 p.m. Ventilation 1 Responses

What causes moisture on a ceiling in winter?

Posted by Cheri Banet Jan. 23, 2020, 10:22 p.m. Wall assemblies - renovation 1 Responses

Related Guide

Walls and Roofs

The easiest way to insulate walls from the exterior in older homes

Fitting extra insulation to an older home when renovating can be a great idea, but when insulating exterior walls from the outside take care to do it right. Ec…

Passive House

Everything you need to know about Passive House certification

A certified Passive House in North America & Canada can be certified by the Passive House Institute PHI or PHIUS, the US certification system. Discover the dif…

Passive solar home design

The principal designer of the house that inspired the global Passivhaus movement reflects on the project that started it all.

Harold Orr introduced us to some of the most essential components of durable and energy efficient homes. Here is a look back at the passive solar heated house …

Plumbing and water heaters

Are tankless water heaters good?

Choosing a water heater - tank or tankless… Tankless water heaters , on demand water heaters and instantaneous water heaters are different names for the same …

Efficient home design

Insulation in Green Home Building, a balanced approach to putting it where it does the most good

Homes are often over-insulated in some parts and relatively under-insulated others. Balanced insulation when building a Green Home means applying your insulati…

Walls and Roofs

Condensation on windows is a pain but is it a problem & how to stop it?

Condensation on windows is a pain in winter and runs down the wall can mean hidden issues in our homes - What causes fogged up windows, how big a problem is it…

Wall assemblies - renovation

Green home improvements: an energy-saving pyramid scheme that actually works!

There are a number of ways you can up the efficiency of your home without spending much money. Here are our top 10 energy-saving home improvement tips with the…

Related Advice

How to insulate an apartment you don't own?

How do you add an Air Exchanger to a house with Hot Water Heat?

What is the best way to insulate a crawlspace to keep humidity down and stop od…

I have chronic illness from the air quality of my home, can you help determine …

What should I be looking for in a heat recovery ventilator?

What are the most cost-effective green building strategies in new home construc…

Is it common to insulate the Plumbing lines for modern buildings?

Can you Insulate a cinder block basement foundation with Rockwool?

Related Guide

The easiest way to insulate walls from the exterior in older homes

Everything you need to know about Passive House certification

The principal designer of the house that inspired the global Passivhaus movemen…

Are tankless water heaters good?

Insulation in Green Home Building, a balanced approach to putting it where it d…

Condensation on windows is a pain but is it a problem & how to stop it?

Green home improvements: an energy-saving pyramid scheme that actually works!

Lunos ductless air exchanger

Latest posts

Diminishing returns on insulation. How much insulation is too much?

Product feature: window film treatment to reflect heat and lower air conditioni…

Climate Zones in USA & Canada for Building Homes

Gabion Walls - what is a gabion cage & how to build with them?