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re: Issues with new insulation

Posted on 8/19/24 at 4:45 pm to
Posted by CrawDude
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2019
5609 posts
Posted on 8/19/24 at 4:45 pm to
quote:

Hopefully you can find someone who has a background in building science whether in your AC guy or insulator or just finding an independent guy.

This is definitely what you need - residential building science forensic investigator that deals with these problems daily - what is happening to you not an uncommon occurrence in hot, humid regions when older homes are retro-upgraded with roof spray foam attic insulation after the fact. If you were in New Orleans or Atlanta I could suggest someone who does this. No doubt there are numerous people in Houston available to help you. You are looking someone like these guys - I mention these two b/c I own their books & have read them - neither are in your area. Nate the Hose Whisper and Allison Bailes - Energy Vanguard . This guy in New Orleans Paul LaGrange LaGrange Consulting . LaGrange has a weekly radio program on WWL and he takes at least one call weekly in summer from a person dealing with the same issue you are experiencing post spray foaming an attic.

Turnblad85 has perfectly described the psychometrics of what is occurring relative to the large change in dew point temperature in the attic with the upgrade in insulation. And as others have stated it’s my understanding the attic envelope should be fully incapsulated including the soffits. It does appear to me reducing humidity in the attic via dehumidification to reduce dew point temperature would help.

Another thing to consider/be aware of - if your 6-tons of HVAC was properly sized for the home before you spray foamed the attic, then you are very likely considerably over-sized in HVAC tonnage now that you have reduced the heat load on the house - this assuming both units are single stage, and not multi-stage systems that adjust for the heat load in the house. Don’t go buying new multi-stage HVACs until an expert who knows what they are doing can investigate and provide the proper solutions to fix the issue. Like in automotive repair - you need a good diagnostician to ID the issue(s) & not just a parts changer.
This post was edited on 8/19/24 at 10:45 pm
Posted by diat150
Louisiana
Member since Jun 2005
46096 posts
Posted on 8/19/24 at 6:19 pm to
You may also be able to slow down the blower speed of your ac to make it run longer and pull more humidity. But you would need to have an ac guy don’t to check the pressures.
Posted by T-Jon
Member since Jan 2012
40 posts
Posted on 8/19/24 at 8:22 pm to
This guy (Joe) has been warning contractors about venting attics in the south for decades. His website has comprehensive information about your issues.

Building science.com
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
58547 posts
Posted on 8/19/24 at 9:31 pm to
What you describe sounds like a perfectly normal attic in the south. There’s one exception:

quote:

1. The ducts now sweat,


This implies that your ducts are uninsulated. If that is the case, you need to seal the joints and get some insulation on them asap….
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