Pro-R: High-Performance Outdoor Duct System

Studies indicate that duct leakage is the most significant cause of inefficiency in commercial buildings. It costs building owners roughly $2.9 billion per year in increased energy consumption, on top of the many other problems that come with moisture intrusion in a duct system.

Luckily there are a few duct systems that better resist leakage. That’s why we recently held a Coffee Break webinar with Sterling Minter of Ducts and Cleats, a sheet metal fabricator in St. Paul, Minnesota, to discuss their Pro-R outdoor duct system.

Our Coffee Break series hosts the brightest minds in HVAC discussing the revolutionary technologies changing the industry. Ask your SVL sales engineer for an invite to our upcoming sessions.

The Problem with Standard Exterior Ducting

Standard external ductwork is notorious for its high rates of leakage. As weather conditions degrade the ductwork, air begins to leak at the joints, seams, and where insulation has been compromised. And if air is getting out of your duct system, water is getting in.

Standard exterior ducts often have uninsulated and exposed flanges, air gaps in the insulation, and penetration in the cladding. Water penetration in the jacketing jeopardizes the duct’s structural integrity, contributes to mold and mildew growth in your supply air, and results in a loss of energy efficiency.

Adding more insulation is not the answer to this problem. Adding more R value to a leaking duct system only adds more costs. Three inches of wet insulation is no better than two inches.

Pro-R is a Better Insulated Duct

The most important goal with external ductwork is to eliminate that so-called “acceptable” leakage that systems often experience. Pro-R is that proven solution that maintains R value and IAQ.

Pro-R is based on Kingspan KoolDuct Board, a rigid, high-performance phenolic panel that resists water absorption, sandwiched between two 25-micron aluminum sheets with fiber scrim. This superior insulation is enclosed in the duct by Ducts and Cleats’ double-gasketed construction that promises near-zero air leakage.

The duct features a .040 embossed aluminum jacket far thicker than other jackets used in the field. Integrated four-bolt TDC flanges aren’t just hammered on the end but are connected to the external duct jacket, so there are no seams at those joints. The Pro-R system features no penetrations on the jacketing at all.

This Phenolic duct meets ASTM E84 (25/50 Smoke and Flame), it’s UL 181 listed, and can contribute points for LEED certification.

A Versatile Design

Designed for maximum durability and efficiency, Pro-R is lightweight and easy to install versus standard insulated metal duct. With Pro-R, you don’t need two trades (sheet metal and insulation) for installation.

It is available in a variety of colors, as well as in rectangle, round, indoor, and double-wall formulations.

Specify Pro-R for Best Results

Pro-R reduces leakage, improves thermal efficiency, reduces long-term maintenance costs, increases the system’s lifespan, reduces installation time, and eliminates the need for an insulator.

Engineers should specify Pro-R as basis-of-design (BOD). You can ensure specification by requiring a Class 1 Leak Test, minimal exposed sealant, and minimal penetrations to external jacketing.