Ductwork is the delivery system for heated or cooled air disbursement throughout a building. Although the most basic ducting is made from sheet metal, most of the ducting in residential applications is insulated. Insulation is measured using an R-value, which is a unit of thermal resistance. Therefore, the higher the value, the more effective the insulation. Examples are the R6 and R8 ducting systems. Further we will compare R6 vs R8 ducting and review pros and cons of both.
Differences between R6 and R8 Ducting Systems
Thickness in Insulating Material
The thickness in the ducting materials used to make R6 and R8 ducting is one of the glaring differences between the two. R8 ducting uses thicker insulation than R6 ducting. This means that if you were to do air conditioning installation using R8 ducting, you get better insulation than if you are using R6 ducting.
Energy Efficiency Comparison
When it comes to efficiency of heat insulation R6 ducting is less efficient than R8 ducting. R8 reduces energy loss by approximately 2 percent, which is equivalent to consuming less energy by 3 percent. The energy that is saved is more so from the cooling and heating loss that doesn't happen due to the thicker and more insulated runs. Also not that significant, a 3-5% decrease in energy costs over 20 years could be beneficial if you are already considering replacing the whole HVAC system and ducting.
Cost Differences
R8 ducting comes with a wider diameter than that of R6 ducting and thus will cost approximately 20-40% more in material cost alone. With it being a larger and more expensive ducting, depending on the house size and access the installer may charge up to 10-20% more on the installation due to the increased difficulty. So, if you are doing ducting installation with R8 ducting, be prepared to pay more for it.
R6 Ducting Pros and Cons
Advantages of R6 Ducting:
- R6 is more affordable than R8 ducting, meaning you pay less for material cost.
- R6 has a smaller exterior diameter and is more flexible.
- R6 offers greater thermal efficiency than R-4 ducting.
Disadvantages of R6 Ducting:
- Using R6 ducting in your ducting installation means you get a less efficient HVAC system than the optimal one with R8 ducting.
R8 Ducting Pros and Cons
Advantages of R8 ducting:
- R8 ducting offers greater thermal efficiency due to its thicker insulation.
- Due to the efficiency of R8 ducting your energy utility bills are lower
Disadvanteges of R8 ducting:
- Using R8 ducting when doing your air conditioning installation costs more compared to R6 ducting.
- R8 ducting is thicker and might not properly replace lower diameter R6 when you decide to upgrade your ducting installation.
Which Ducting Type Is Best For Los Angeles Homes?
Due to the increasing costs of material and labor, we usually install R-6 ducting in most of our new installs in Los Angeles because it is more affordable and does not make a very noticeable difference in energy costs. We install and replace units all up to code and compliance in Los Angeles and complete and pass inspections every replacement. We aim to serve our customers; therefore, if you have done your research and want an R8 ducting system installed, we'd be more than happy to come out for a free consultation and quote.
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