A suspended ceiling can be a viable alternative for routing heating ducts through a house that does not have a basement or crawl space. The Department of Energy as well as heating unit suppliers recommend that ducts be installed in "conditioned" air space. In other words, areas that are heated, so hot air flowing through the ducts is not diminished by exposure to cold air. Houses built on concrete slab foundations often have ducts running through unheated attics, which reduces heating efficiency. A suspended ceiling can keep the ducts inside when walls are high enough to accommodate 6- or 12-inch ducts.
Instructions
1. Install the framework for the suspended ceiling. Allow enough space for ductwork below the joists or drywall and over the entire ceiling or just in an area to hide ductwork. Outline a room with a dropped ceiling as one alternative to both hold ducts and give an illusion of a higher ceiling in the space. Remove ceiling panels along the duct alignment if the ceiling is already installed.
2. Place the heating unit inside the house if possible, within a utility room or large closet and preferably near the center. Put it outside near a wall with a closet or similar space large enough to hold a supply duct. Run a basic supply duct from the unit plenum, or outlet to the ceiling. Fasten this to wall studs with metal straps across the duct. Nail with a hammer and galvanized nails on either side. Space straps a few feet apart.
3. Lay ductwork across suspended ceiling framework between outlet registers and a central supply duct down the middle of the ceiling. Use 6-inch flex duct if possible, as it is lighter, more efficient and easier to install than sheet metal ducting.
Install outlet vents at appropriate locations. Fasten these to the suspended framework or incorporate them into ceiling panels, depending on the type of suspended ceiling. Follow manufacturer recommendations.
4. Connect flexduct to outlet collars with adjustable metal or plastic straps and seal the connection with heat-resistant tape. Use metal T connectors to join branches to the central supply duct. Cut with tin snips as required for length and to open the central duct to install T collars. Fasten all ducts to connectors with straps and seam tape.
5. Fasten ductwork to ceiling joists above the suspended . Use metal straps under the duct that are nailed to the joists on either side. Space support straps at least every 5 feet, closer if necessary to keep flex duct secure and slightly above the suspended ceiling panels. Install or replace panels for the suspended ceiling.
Tags: suspended ceiling, supply duct, ceiling panels, flex duct, above suspended, above suspended ceiling, ceiling framework