Why Government Center Chose Thermaduct Outdoor Ductwork for Rooftop HVAC Retrofit Using Phenolic Outdoor Ductwork
When the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Jail required a mechanical system upgrade, space limitations within the existing building posed a significant design challenge. With the goal of opening up mechanical room space and adding energy efficiency, the project team relocated the air handling units (AHUs) to the roof. This allowed for valuable interior space but necessitating a high-performance outdoor duct solution that could handle year-round Midwest conditions.
To support this rooftop configuration, the team selected Thermaduct phenolic ductwork, a pre-insulated, weather-resistant system engineered for outdoor environments. Unlike traditional metal duct systems that require separate insulation and jacketing in the field, Thermaduct arrives as a complete, factory-sealed and pre-insulated solution which reduces installation time and complexity.
The phenolic panels used in this system provide excellent thermal performance while maintaining a compact duct profile, which was crucial for routing across a constrained rooftop. This design minimizes energy loss and reduces air leakage between the rooftop AHUs and interior spaces, increasing efficiency and long term energy costs.
- Lightweight Construction – Thermaduct’s lightweight construction reduces structural loads, making it ideal for rooftop installations and material handling on the jobsite.
- Contractor Friendly Installation – Familiar 4-bolt flanged connections with available online training makes Thermaduct fast and straightforward to install, minimizing labor time.
- Superior Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – The smooth aluminum interior is fiber free and resistant to mold growth. Our phenolic systems are ideal for jobs requiring clean, high-performance air distribution.
- Weather Resistant Cladding – Thermaduct's factory-applied, 1000 micron UV stable vinyl cladding is fully sealed in its construction and ensures protection against the elements.
- All-in-one Product – Thermaduct provides your duct, insulation and cladding all in high efficiency outdoor product. This reduces required trades, streamlines coordination and accelerates project timelines.
By shifting the HVAC equipment outdoors and using pre-insulated phenolic ductwork, the facility achieved key goals: freeing interior space, improving system efficiency, and simplifying installation. For more information on how you can find benefits for your next interior or exterior application with a Thermaduct system, contact us of talk to your local Thermaduct experts.
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