I'm pretty sure we have those foil type air ducts. We're getting new windows in the next few weeks and instead of cleaning the ducts (likely very dirty), I'd like to go ahead and replace them with insulated ones as the ones we have sometimes drip condensation. Plus, I'd like these to last.

Whats a rough guess as to what we're looking at ($) for a 2000-ish sq.ft. house? I think I've got 10 total air vents coming out of the ceiling in various rooms.

https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_install_ductwork.html
search homewyse for a better match calculator to what you desire ....

This is only a starter guide and will not be on target depending on zip code, gremlins in the attic and choice of duct types.

The condensate should be discussed up front with your 5-star HVAC manager before his guys come look-see.

I am one of the few that agree with insulating, even over-insulating ductwork but many don't want it on the attic floor where it's EZ to do that ....

If your HVAC system is over 17yo, get a quote for the whole tamale, OK? I choose Variable systems every time IMHO

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but many don't want it on the attic floor where it's EZ to do that ....

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What do you man by that?

Ours is 12 yo, but it is a 17 seer and probably similar to ones that are being installed now in an equivalent house. 2 stage and working great. Probably will have paid for itself in another 3 years.

Where is your unit located in the house? From my understanding that can make a difference.

I have a very low pitch roof and the air handler is in a closet in the garage.

They had to evacuate the system and remove the heater/blower/coil to rebuild the distribution box over the unit.

They also had very tight quarters to crawl around in the attic which added to the labor.

I had 2 guys working 2.5 days replacing everything from the grills, register boxes, ductwork, plenum, cleaning the coil, and reinstalling and recharging my system for 9k, for only 6 runs.

If it had been in my parents old house in Houston with everything upstairs it would been a piece of cake because they had room to spare up in the attic.

The AC guy I use isn't the cheapest around but he does quality work and stands behind it. I've never had an issue with any of his installs or repairs.

91AggieLawyer said:

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but many don't want it on the attic floor where it's EZ to do that ....

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What do you man by that?

Ours is 12 yo, but it is a 17 seer and probably similar to ones that are being installed now in an equivalent house. 2 stage and working great. Probably will have paid for itself in another 3 years.

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I am one of the few that agree with insulating, even over-insulating ductwork but many don't want it on the attic floor where it's EZ to do that ....

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What he means by that is if the flex duct is installed laying on the attic floor (versus hanging from the roof bracing, etc.) and the attic is insulated with blown-in insulation, then you just need to add additional insulation to cover the ductwork to increase its insulation. However, if the homeowner doesn't want it laying on the attic floor, then there's no easy way to insulate it!

The unit is in a garage closet.

I've got a guy coming out to look at it. They told me over the phone they don't recommend a cleaning. Said it usually doesn't get that dirty anyway and cleaning it can cause more problems (or at least TRYING to clean it can). Said replacing is a possibility depending on condition but he'd get up there and check it out. Usually, unless more returns are needed, it lasts a long time.

Going to check out the dripping, though. I just figured the AC was more efficient and added a little humidity to the mix, coupled with a warm attic. I have attic fans up there -- installed by latest roofing contractors -- but that may not cool it enough.

where are you located?

88agswin said:

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where are you located?

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Mid-cities DFW.

OK, so had an air guy come out. Turns out we don't have the flexible duct work but the steel stuff -- round to be exact. Probably do need duct cleaning, but the one thing he said we definitely need (and I agree) is better attic insulation.

So for a dumb question, how do I go about getting that done? I don't want to get up there myself. You know, the bigger they are...

Plus, I'd rather a pro do it. What are we looking at roughly for a 2K sq.ft. house? I'd like to go ahead and get it done right.

What makes you think the ducts need cleaning? With proper filter changes there shouldn't be too much to clean out.

BiggiesLX said:

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What makes you think the ducts need cleaning? With proper filter changes there shouldn't be too much to clean out.

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People keep saying this, AND THEY MAY VERY WELL BE RIGHT. My issue is that, as stated, my house is extremely dusty and I just got new windows. If the excess dust was exclusively caused by the old windows, then yeah, the ducts don't need cleaning. However, they've never been cleaned (as far as I know) and I doubt the filter was changed properly by the previous owner -- people with little homeowner IQ (we've found out). They went almost 30 years without doing much of anything to a house other than a ****ty paint job and a tile job that looks like it was done by an unsupervised and inexperienced high school crew.

I just want a clean slate in the house.

Oof. Good call.

As for insulation I blew in cellulose. Maybe you can buy the bags, rent the blower from Lowe's for free, and hire out.

If you want to go all out while someone is up there, add Attic Foil to your rafters. There's a recent thread on here mentioning them.

Cleaning round metal ducts or even sealing them ala AeroSeal Co. may be a good idea every time the system is replaced, no argument and also no consequences, only good stuff results.

The controvery is over cleaning ductboard/fiberglass interior rectangular ducts
1 are the brushes rectangular? if not then how to brush into those 90d corners?
2 are the cleaners 5-star rated with few 1-stars posted? if not, is there a chance a brush might spring a duct leak forever?
3 fiberglass is so unhealthy for the lungs when it gets loose that the Corvette factories in the day had to clean up their act for the sake of their workers, once health issue arose ... so will the process free up frangibles, defeating the goal?
4 would a new/different HVAC filtration system do the same job if at first the filters were changed more often than SOP?
5 might there be a 3rd party, segregated air filtration system ... or more ... that might get air clean pronto, then perhaps become moot once things settle in? rental? passed arouund family homes?
6 even though not on the table due to cost, round metal ducts that replace ductboard/fiberglass all round stay pretty clean ....