The HVAC industry is in the midst of a transformation.  SMACNA, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, received final accreditation of the Phenolic Duct Construction Standard, 1st Edition, 2015 on February 12, 2015.  Phenolic duct is a newer, LEED eligible, green energy alternative to traditional ductwork.  Unlike traditional metal duct, Phenolic duct is comprised of a pre-insulated, high efficiency air duct with R-Value ratings from R-6 to R-20.  Some of the other advantages to Phenolic duct include: lower energy consumption and increased energy savings, low air leakage, zero ozone depletion, moisture resistance, improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), weighs up to 80% less than traditional metal duct, quicker installation times, and is fire and smoke resistant. 

This new standard will allow for Phenolic duct to be included as an added alternate by specifying engineers.  One local sheet metal fabricator, RF Meeh Company, has the fabrication rights from mid-Missouri to Southern Illinois to fabricate one such type of closed-cell phenolic duct called Kingspan Koolduct® and Thermaduct®.  Koolduct is commonly used on indoor applications in education, healthcare, government, and industrial applications.  Thermaduct® is a vinyl wrapped, outdoor, solution for which has shown the ability to be more weather resistant and provide more consistent air flow and temperature over long runs, than traditional metal duct.  According to Bill Meeh, Vice-President of RF Meeh, “As the demand by the federal and state governments for cleaner, more energy efficient buildings has increased, owners and engineers have likewise escalated their focus on improved energy efficiency and indoor air quality.  Koolduct & Thermaduct are beginning to gain incredible momentum in the HVAC industry.  SMACNA recognized this early on and really made the push to include ANSI approved Phenolic Duct in their standards.”