Cross-posted on Houston Board.

I live in the Timbergrove area, my HVAC system has rigid ducting and the wrapped insulation is in various stages of failure. This issue has reached a point it needs to be addressed (condensation dripping and soaking the insulation and causing isolated minor ceiling drywall damage). I have had our resident H-Town recco out and quote, they suggested to replace the ducting with flexible instead of rewrapping the ducting. Other than this insulation issue, I have not had or noticed any issues. In my O&G engineer mind, rigid>flexible.

1) Is there any input on this one way or the other?

2) Is there a secondary recommendation (EnviroMax was first bid, NOT Artic) for another estimate to compare?

That is what I figured. It is in fine shape but it seems everyone wants to replace it with flex.

It's probably easier and maybe more $$ for them to replace. In the commercial world, the insulators of metal duct are different than the HVAC guys that put in the metal duct and the equipment.

Doing a new wrap is probably pretty easy, and the upcoming cooler weather would be a good time to do it if you wanted to try DIY. I'll bet there are a number of Youtubes out there to show you how. I would make sure to re-seal all joints before doing new insulation as well.

And since you're in Houston, you should call 88agswin.

Quote:

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I own Wise Guys Heating & Cooling and would be happy to get you a quote (class of 1988)...713-466-7555 is our office number and my mobile is 832-347-0807. Or you can call my son Dylan on his mobile at 832-334-8525...class of '19

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I have done plenty of DIY time in my attic and my desire to go up there anymore is about gone. It does not look hard, the "I do not want to" is high.
I did, they are the first bid. I just wanted a price check and to see if there is a differing opinion on the rigid/flexible from theirs.

Well, I'm not an HVAC residential contractor by any stretch of the definition, so maybe there is some reasoning behind their suggestion to replace. But properly sized and installed rigid is always better than flex.

The only other reason for tear-out/replace would be leaks not mentioned & high cost to fix.
Aggieland was once served by the experts in such .... now offering both inside & outside seal systems
aeroseal.com
but why they keep their service areas secret? Last location served was Dallas, so maybe near you?

I would also inquire a foam insulator about such a external-duct service, killing two birds with one visit/fee.

The only other reason beyond those mentioned would be that
they have only one install method, no computer calculations to do otherwise properly.

I vote avoid those guys.