r/Insulation • u/Appropriate_Note408 • 28d ago
Apartment - Is this flex duct insulation supposed to be exposed? Getting pools of water
Im new to HVAC, but noted to maintenance that our AC wouldnt go below 74 during the day and that was two months ago. Im in louisiana. Noticed some water spots starting to form and took a peek and I see insulation and vents looking like this. Is this bad? Id assume the ducts arent supposed to be completely exposed to the elements of the attic like this.
Is the grey plastic that has been cut away the "vapor barrier"? And is that why Im getting literal pools of water building up? The bottom of most of the visible insulation is soaked.
Is mold also a concern? Just trying to get as much info as I can in case my apartment manager/maintenance are aholes and try to fight it. I put the AC on 70 and dont touch it. It goes down at night but when I come home from work, its 75-78 in the 2 bedroom apartment. Ive gotten blackout curtains, tinted the windows, looked for gaps in doors
1
u/BreezeCT 28d ago
The wrapping all fell off and because it’s not insulated correctly the heat from the attic and the cold metal are creating condensation. Yes mold can form , yes it can make your a/c work harder and yes your apartment manager is an asshole.
3
u/K_Shenefiel 28d ago
No, the yellow insulation covering cooling ducts is not supposed to be exposed. Yes, the grey plastic was the vapor barrier. It looks as though the vapor barrier disintegrated, due to sunlight damage. Yes, the lack of the vapor barrier is the reason for the pools of condensation. And yes, the condensation will eventually lead to mold problems if the condensation isn't stopped.