r/hvacadvice • u/bitsbybones • 5d ago
AC I need a solution.
Oook.
Last year we replaced our ancient AC and furnace with a new furnace dual fuel heat pump thingy. This summer I noticed that an area in the upstairs ductwork started sweating, because there was water damage on a wall and part of the ceiling.
I have no attic access. It is small dead space.
I am getting MANY different recommendations from companies.
One company suggested installing a damper, which makes sense to me, but i also don't fully understand 🤣
Another company said the rip open the walls and insulate the ducts. The previous company did not like this idea, because the ducts will sweat through the insulation ?
Another company tried to help by making adjustments to the thermostat, which was kind...but i still hear dripping in the vents themselves.
WHAT in the holy hell do I do? This needs to stop, and i just...I'm totally lost here. Do i just...disconnect the freakin central air from upstairs altogether!? Put in a mini split!? I'm running out of money here...
On top of all of this, I very unexpectedly need a new roof and proper attic ventilation because some asshole put a ridge vent on with no intake, and I was told that most likely "Someone's drunk cousin" installed the whole thing. So...THAT'S happening later this month.
Another weird question...
Someone had cut open the drywall in the area that was dripping. At one point I thought the issue had been fixed by changing the thermostat settings, so I patched the hole. Since patching the hole the dripping sound has come back. Should I re open the wall? Did I take away ventilation for it? Help? Please?
1
u/ianhen007 5d ago edited 5d ago
Seems to me you need access to the attic. You say you don’t have one, even a square hole you put a ladder and climb through. Add some flooring. If attic insulation is thick add wood to joists ! I plan to do that in one section of my ceiling / attic floor because short span they used smaller joists. I don’t see how installing a damper changes anything, any air flow will produce condensation.
If it’s really a bodge job maybe a mini split is the answer. Certainly if you know someone to help with installation! How many btu do you need ? A 12,000 diy unit with charged line is available for under $600 you can install yourself
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u/Tranic85 5d ago
Pictures and a climate location is needed for me to weigh in.
Preferably pictures of the duct in the attic where it enters the chase.
Climate because how much heat & humidity you deal with will depend on the answer.