The Right Outdoor Ductwork Maximizes Indoor Air Quality
What is IAQ? How is IAQ Connected to Outdoor Ductwork?
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is the air quality in and around a building, and the impact on health and comfort of the occupants in the building. Poor IAQ can cause health issues like headaches, nausea, to more serious situations like cancer and severe neurological impairment. There are many proposed solutions for improving IAQ like improving ventilation and implementing air cleaning technologies, such as air purifiers equipped with a HEPA filter. However, the ductwork that your building has also plays a role on IAQ, and choosing the right type of ductwork can significantly help to keep your building’s IAQ in a good range.
IAQ can be greatly affected by ductwork, whether indoor or outdoor. Ductwork that is damaged or poorly sealed can cause air leakage or loss of r-value, reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire system. Damaged or leaky ductwork can allow unfiltered and untreated air to enter the ductwork, causing moisture intrusion and reducing the amount or quality of air that reaches the occupants. Moisture intrusion promotes mold and bacterial growth, all which can then be distributed throughout the building via the ductwork. Another way that ductwork affects IAQ is the insulation type used. Outdoor ductwork is insulated, and the type of insulation material used greatly impacts the air quality flowing over it. Fiberglass insulation is a common duct insulator, but it can release fibers into the airstream and it absorbs moisture since it is an open cell insulation. Fiberglass insulation can negatively impact IAQ as the released fibers can be inhaled and damage the respiratory system of building occupants or by the absorbed moisture creating mold or bacterial growth in the air stream. Not all duct systems use fiberglass insulation, however, with closed cell phenolic duct products, such as the patented Pro-R Duct System being an effective alternative.
Outdoor Duct Solutions for IAQ
When selecting from the different types of outdoor duct solutions to provide for the best IAQ, look to closed cell phenolic duct systems. Closed cell phenolic duct is fiber-free, so no fibers are released into the airstream as seen with fiberglass insulation. Of the closed cell phenolic products out there, the patented Pro-R outdoor duct system is extra supportive of IAQ in part because of its durable and weatherproof metal exterior and the use of Kingspan KoolDuct insulation, a high-performance, rigid, fiber-free closed cell phenolic insulation board. The Pro-R duct system achieved UL 181 Listed status, which provides considerable testing to demonstrate resistance to mold and bacterial growth, among other things like smoke and flame spread. The Kingspan insulation used in Pro-R is also water-resistant and has a vapor barrier, protecting the building from mold spore distribution in the air and protecting from loss of r-value. Furthermore, the insulation is odorless and non-deleterious.
Achieving Better IAQ with Pro-R Outdoor & Indoor Duct Solutions
Pro-R outdoor ductwork is not only great for providing good IAQ in a building, but it is also durable, lightweight, and energy-efficient. It comes in a range of different products, including Pro-R Rectangle, Pro-R Round, Pro-R Specialty, and Pro-R Indoor. Contact our team today to discover which product would be best for your building.
For Quotes or Questions Please Call 651-265-0605 or Email info@ductsandcleats.com
