Thread: AC ducts run on the exterior of new home

Quick question for the group,

I’m building my first and last house, and the builder and the AC tech ran two ac lines through the trusses for the back pouch and then up 2 foot or so along the exterior of the house, before reentering the house.

We have a 12” load bearing truss/beam that supports the upstairs that they do not want to cut, so they ran the AC lines the way they did.

One AC line is a return and the other feeds the master bedroom and bath. The home is located in hot climate, South Texas.

Does this present an issue for cooling? Will this be an issue when I sell the home in 10 -15 years? Is this an expectable building practice? Would you gig this? Of course the builder is saying they do this all the time, and I’m not a builder.

Bothe AC lines are insulated, and the chase on the outside of the house will be wrapped with moister barrier and then stucco’ed.

Please see attached pics.

Thank you in advance for any and all comments.

Fishman

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Originally Posted by Fishman

Quick question for the group,

I’m building my first and last house, and the builder and the AC tech ran two ac lines through the trusses for the back pouch and then up 2 foot or so along the exterior of the house, before reentering the house.

We have a 12” load bearing truss/beam that supports the upstairs that they do not want to cut, so they ran the AC lines the way they did.

One AC line is a return and the other feeds the master bedroom and bath. The home is located in hot climate, South Texas.

Does this present an issue for cooling? Will this be an issue when I sell the home in 10 -15 years? Is this an expectable building practice? Would you gig this? Of course the builder is saying they do this all the time, and I’m not a builder.

Bothe AC lines are insulated, and the chase on the outside of the house will be wrapped with moister barrier and then stucco’ed.

Please see attached pics.

Thank you in advance for any and all comments.

Fishman

You stated these will be enclosed , I don't see an issue.

I would make sure they bring the ducts into the thermal envelope by installing insulation in the chase walls and fire stop the top and bottom of the chase.

i don't think you'll have a problem. You are however going to have a problem with the bottom of the columns for the front porch.

Billy, Jim, and Stanly,

Thank you all for your responses.

I went by the house this AM and the back porch roof system is part of the building envelope and can be access from the attic space above the master bedroom.

So as far as the outside chase above the porch roof goes, I will ensure it is well insolated and fire proofed by the builder.

Thank you again, Fishman

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

I would make sure they bring the ducts into the thermal envelope by installing insulation in the chase walls and fire stop the top and bottom of the chase.

Originally Posted by Fishman

Jim, fire proofed by the builder.

Fishman

Mr. Luttrall's point was " fire stop."