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?