Rubber Insulation for HVAC Ducts in Georgia

Why is thermal insulation needed in a ventilation system?

The main purpose of thermal insulation is to maintain the temperature of the air moving in the duct and to reduce unwanted heat exchange between the duct surface and the surroundings.

For example, if conditioned cold air passes through a metal duct located in a warm technical space, without insulation the duct surface can become significantly cold. This can cause energy loss, a change in the temperature of the air moving in the duct, condensation on the surface, wetting of nearby building elements and reduced system efficiency.

Thermal insulation is therefore not just an additional layer - in many HVAC systems it is part of the correct operation of the system as a whole.

How does thermal insulation reduce energy loss?

In a ventilation or heating and cooling system, changing the temperature of already treated air requires energy. If the duct is not insulated, heat can pass from the duct to the surroundings in winter, and in cooling mode enter the cold duct from the surroundings.

Thermal insulation slows this process and helps maintain the desired air temperature during transport. This is particularly important with long ducts, in technical spaces, for ducts passing through hot or cold environments, and in centralised systems.

Why does condensation appear on a duct?

Condensation can form when the temperature of a cold duct surface is below the dew point of the surrounding air. Put simply, water droplets can appear on a very cold metal surface in contact with warm, humid air. This is often relevant in cooling systems.

Condensation can cause wetting of ceilings or walls, damage to building materials, an increased risk of corrosion and problems related to damp. Correctly selected and installed thermal insulation helps control the temperature of the outer duct surface and reduce the risk of condensation.

What is rubber thermal insulation?

Rubber thermal insulation is a flexible insulating material used on the ducts and pipes of HVAC systems. The NB Group category includes RI-1 rubber insulation and FT rubber insulation for pipes.

Rubber type insulation is practical for covering complex shaped surfaces and pipes, because the flexible material adapts easily to their form. When choosing a specific product its thickness, size, working temperature range, thermal conductivity characteristic, behaviour with moisture and installation requirements must be checked.

What is self adhesive thermal insulation?

The NB Group range also includes HD self adhesive thermal insulation. A self adhesive insulating material can have one side already prepared with an adhesive surface, which makes installation on a suitable surface easier.

Such a solution can be practical on duct surfaces, on metal sheets, in hard to reach places and where fast, even fixing is required. However, the surface has to be properly prepared before installation - clean, dry and suitable for the material to be fixed reliably.

What thickness of insulation is needed?

The thickness of thermal insulation is not universal. The required thickness is affected by the temperature inside the duct or pipe, the ambient temperature, air humidity, the risk of condensation, the location of the duct, the energy efficiency requirement of the system and the properties of the insulating material used.

For example, the requirements for a conditioned air duct and for a duct where only a small thermal loss has to be reduced can be different. The principle "the thicker the better" is therefore not always correct - a technically appropriate thickness has to be selected.

Is pipe and duct insulation the same?

Not always. Insulation intended for pipes is often specially shaped and sized for a cylindrical surface, while sheet or roll form insulation may be used for ducts. In the NB Group range the FT product is listed separately as rubber thermal insulation for pipes.

Why is sealing the joints important?

The effectiveness of thermal insulation is not determined only by fixing the material on the main surface. Particular attention has to be paid to joints between sheets, corners, flanges, fixing points and duct transitions and bends. If the insulation layer is interrupted in certain places, thermal bridges can form and the local risk of condensation increases.

What are adhesives and insulation tapes used for?

Installing thermal insulation often requires additional auxiliary materials. The NB Group category includes PVC adhesive tape, RT rubber tape, aluminium adhesive tape and MT-100 single component adhesive.

Their specific purpose can be joining insulation layers, treating seams, fixing the material to a surface or finishing a specific detail. The compatibility of the adhesive or tape with the thermal insulation material actually used is important.

What are the most common mistakes when installing thermal insulation?

Choosing insufficient thickness

Very thin insulation may not be enough in specific conditions to control condensation or heat loss.

Covering only the straight sections of a duct

Corners, joints and flanges also have to be treated correctly.

Leaving gaps between insulation layers

Gaps can create thermal bridges.

Installing on a wet or dirty surface

This can worsen the fixing of an adhesive material.

Using the wrong type of insulation for pipe or duct

The form and purpose of the material has to match the specific surface.

How to select HVAC thermal insulation

Before selection it helps to know:

• what is being insulated - a duct or a pipe;
• the surface size or pipe diameter;
• the temperature present in the system;
• the expected ambient temperature;
• the humidity of the surroundings;
• whether there is a risk of condensation;
• where the system is located;
• what thickness of insulation the design requires;
• whether a self adhesive material is required;
• which tape or adhesive will be needed for installation.

Based on this data a suitable insulating material can be selected more accurately.

Thermal insulation at NB Group

NB Group supplies thermal insulation for HVAC, ventilation and pipework systems. The category currently includes RI-1 rubber insulation, FT rubber insulation for pipes, HD self adhesive insulation, PVC adhesive tape, RT rubber tape, aluminium adhesive tape and MT-100 single component adhesive.

NB Group branches are located in Tbilisi and Batumi, and technical consultation is available when selecting thermal insulation and the corresponding installation materials for a specific system.