Let’s stick with the ventilation subject for a moment, dear readers, because I need help with a hack. I hope that some of you can point me in the right direction. Here is the problem that needs solving:
The duct insulation in the flex ducts that connect to my ERV is getting wet every winter.
Why do I have the flex duct in the first place?
The purpose of the flex duct is to stop vibration transmission from the ERV to the rigid ducts.
Why does the duct get wet?
During the winter month the fresh air intake carries cold air and the exhaust duct from the ERV to the building exterior does the same. This cold air often cools down the duct below the dewpoint. That causes any moisture that is lingering in the flex duct or that gets past the duct sleeve to condense on the flex duct core. It is subsequently absorbed by the fiberglass insulation around the flex duct. Theoretically, this should not happen. The outer duct sleeve should prevent any air, and with it moisture, from getting to the flex duct core.
The weak points in this system are where the flex duct connects to the rigid duct, and even more so, were it connects to the ERV.
I use sturdy duct zip ties and even have the tool to zip them as tight as possible. But even with utmost diligence, it appears impossible to make these connections airtight.
An added complication is that the ERV needs occasional maintenance, which in some cases requires me to disconnect the flex ducts from the ERV. The zip tie system makes disconnecting and reconnecting fairly easy, but apparently fails to get it 100% airtight. I am also concerned that handling the duct during the maintenance operations may lead to breaches in the duct sleeve.
Solutions?
Is there a product out there that would be better than flex duct but still provide the vibration isolation? Or is there a better system for connecting and sealing the flex duct to the ERV?
Whatever a better and air tight solution may be, it must allow for easy disconnection and reconnection of the duct to the ERV.
Any suggestions? Who’s going first?
Did you ever find a hack for this? We have the same problem.
Meghan, yes we did come up with a home cooked hack. I plan to post about it in a couple of weeks.