Invisco has just announced our new insulated R38 to R60 Ceiling Adapter. This adapter comes in 5 diameters – 12 inch, 14,16,18 and 20. It can be used with any Invisco system AND with any QuietCool system and with some Airscape systems.

For a picture of the standard single damper go here.

Here are some shots of the Invisco R60 damper in 12 inch diameter. You will see that there is an insulated gap between the top damper and the bottom damper. That is the thermally broken design. The top damper can be at sub freezing temperature and the bottom at room temperature and the heat cannot move from the bottom to the top.

Note insulated gap between dampers - click for larger view

Note magnets for frame, straps and clips to hold it up

This is how it looks when installed

You can also see the 4 powerful magnets designed to hold up the frame, the 2 steel straps to hold the assembly down, and the 4 stands to keep the damper from falling down the hole you cut in your ceiling.

Below is a picture of an 18 inch duct that is fully insulated to R30. It has two “thermally broken” damper assemblies buried inside cellulose insulation. The cellulose used is available in stores and is rated R13 to R60 or higher. The R rating is determined by the thickness – in this case the thickness is the horizontal thickness – set by the diameter of the fence around the ducts. In the picture the fence is 10 inches from the duct so it is R30. It needs to be 14 inches thick in width for you to get R38 from it. And note that if you make it even wider it can approach R60. The R rating is R49 at 18 inches and R60 at 22 inches wide. Note that the depth for higher ratings needs to be higher than in the picture.

R38 Ceiling Adapter for 18 inch duct with a yard stick

Here is the press release:

Temecula, CA January 9, 2012 Invisco Whole House Fan Company engineers have spent hundreds of hours researching the latest technology in insulation in the process of designing a new and extremely effective R38 whole house fan ceiling interface for colder climates.

This research was initiated because Invisco has a goal to offer the best performance at the lowest cost for each whole house fan system that is sold. Invisco’s systems are all connected to rooms or halls through holes cut in the ceiling. Ducts carry the hot air up into the attic pulled by a powerful fan mounted high in the attic on the rafters to make the sound of the fan barely audible. The holes in the ceiling need to be insulated as well or better than the rest of the attic in cold climates.

The benchmark for insulation in new homes and for home energy retrofits is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as R38 rated insulation for attics. There are several methods available to achieve that rating. One is to install fiberglass insulation in batts or layers. Another is to blow in cellulose insulation. A third is to install foam sheets. Specifications on fiberglass, cellulose and foam show that of the three, cellulose is the most effective.

Invisco engineers consulted with insulation experts including the joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star, the North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association (NAIMA), Aspen Aerogel (a NASA Spinoff company), Owens Corning fiberglass insulation division, and the leader in R38 whole house fans, Tamarack Technology.

Several facts emerged from this investigation. The most effective methods of insulation include air, aerogel, foam, cellulose and fiberglass. Of those, air and cellulose are the least expensive. Invisco engineers created a duct and damper ceiling interface that uses air, cellulose and aerogel and a technique known as “thermally broken” packaging in a unique product that is economical, easy to install, requires no power to operate, and exceeds R38 performance.

The result is a family of ceiling interface products in sizes from 12 inches diameter up to 20 inches, each capable of being used with any ducted whole house fan system. So whether you install one of Invisco’s powerful multiroom R38 whole house fan systems or Quiet Cool’s single room systems, you can use the Invisco R38 Ceiling Interface to best insulate the opening.

Note that this patent pending design can also be used for hvac duct connectors to home ceilings and wall outlets. It can be used for air flowing down when the dampers are either spring loaded or motor driven. Either way every hvac outlet in every room that is under the attic can be fully insulated up to R60.