Timeline for Is there some type of coating I can use to prevent condensate on my HVAC ducts?
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| Feb 15, 2021 at 19:40 | vote | accept | virtualxtc | ||
| Sep 4, 2020 at 11:07 | comment | added | FreeMan | Did you ever get this resolved? If so, please give a check-mark to the answer that helped you the most, or write up your own answer explaining what you did to get it fixed and give yourself a check mark. That will help others with this kind of problem know that this has a resolution and is a good place to look for their answer. | |
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| Aug 10, 2018 at 0:19 | comment | added | fixer1234 | @isherwood, "There's nothing special about Florida humidity." Sounds like you've never spent time in Florida. :-) Sure, it's the same physics, but the high exterior humidity and temperature cause interior problems that you don't normally run into up north. But I agree with the rest of your comments. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 21:21 | history | edited | virtualxtc | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Added info to clear up comments section
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| Aug 6, 2018 at 21:15 | history | edited | virtualxtc | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Added info to clear up comments section
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| Aug 6, 2018 at 21:11 | comment | added | isherwood | Yep, we're all talking about dew points in the low to mid 70s. There's nothing special about Florida humidity. The physics of it is the same. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:59 | comment | added | isherwood | You might try increasing airflow by running the fan at a higher speed to reduce the temperature differential. I'm in Minnesota, where we regularly see temps in the upper 90s with dew points in the 70s. The issue you describe isn't a problem for most of us and shouldn't be for you. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:51 | comment | added | isherwood | You don't have a condensation problem. You have a humidity level problem. Don't treat the symptom--run a dehumidifier. Even if you insulate your ducts, your humidity level is so high that you're sure to have other issues. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:46 | answer | added | virtualxtc | timeline score: -1 | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:42 | comment | added | dandavis | rainX is paraffin; a traditional waterproofing that's been used for centuries on all manner of materials. I for one find it useful on toilet seats to avoid surprises. reduces shower and sink maintenance as well. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:34 | comment | added | dandavis | @virtualxtc: i though the question was "how to stop it building up?", but you're right; it only displaces it. Still, it might be easier to collect or wick from underneath. There's a rainX anti-fog too; not sure what it uses, but it might be of use as well. I would try wrapping a few layers of cloth around the pipe; if you insulate it (thermally) enough, it won't fall under the dew point, and thus won't get wet. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 20:27 | comment | added | virtualxtc | @dandavis, I'm not sure getting the condensate to drip more quickly is going to solve the overall dampness problem -- it's just likely to transplant the location where the mold grows. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 19:55 | comment | added | dandavis | coat the pipes with paraffin; it's the same stuff they use in rainX (along with mineral spirits to liquefy) and should force droplets to slide down much faster than nature provides. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 8:36 | answer | added | Lee Sam | timeline score: 1 | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 8:20 | comment | added | fixer1234 | Are you talking about interior ducts, not ducts running through unconditioned space like an attic or crawl space? If you were in Florida, I would understand condensation. But your profile indicates you're in Boston. If you run the A/C and keep the house at a comfortable humidity, there shouldn't be enough moisture in the air to condense on the ducts. But to your question, there are hydrophobic coatings that are available as a spray. Water won't stick to it. But if moisture is going to condense it would drip off onto whatever is below it. | |
| Aug 6, 2018 at 8:05 | history | asked | virtualxtc | CC BY-SA 4.0 |