Our desire to talk about RE-500 didn’t come out of nowhere. We’re seeing a greater need for duct restoration and microbial control, and RE-500 tends to be a popular choice. So if you’re looking to improve the indoor air quality of your home or business we’ll be glad to educate you on this product of choice. It’s developed by Hardcast under the Carlisle HVAC brand and designed to protect and better ductwork systems. Of course, if you’re in the New York and New Jersey area, we’d be glad to help with its application in your space, be it residential, commercial, or even institutional buildings. In this article we’ll dive deeper into what RE-500 is, how it works, and what it’s good for.
What Is RE-500?
Well, RE-500 is a spray applied insulation encapsulant and coating that’s specifically meant to be used inside ductwork. It has EPA registered antimicrobial agents that help resist mold growth and is considered a low VOC duct coating at 13 g/l, which makes it great for sensitive environments like hospitals, schools, and residential buildings. It’s available in white or black, and has a semi gloss finish that prevents the accumulation of debris. RE-500 has a service temperature of -20F to 200F plus a 10 year warranty. All in all, it’s a good tool that can be used to restore, protect, and help prolong the longevity of your system.
How RE-500 Works
First off, it’s important to make sure your ductwork is clean and dry before thinking of coating it. If there are things that shouldn’t be coated (for example damper hardware), they should be masked before application begins.
In theory, RE-500 is designed for one-coat coverage, but application and the surface at hand can yield for extra layers. RE-500 can be applied in a couple of different ways:
- Airless Sprayer (tends to be the most common form of application)
- Robotic Spray Applicators
- Brush or Roller (typically used for small, hard to reach places, and here, is where you may typically need extra coats)
After application, it’s important to let the coating dry to the touch before turning the system back on. Typically 1-2hrs is sufficient.
Do keep in mind that the more porous the application surface is, the more coating you will need. However, if over-applied it can lead to cracking or peeling. Also important to note, that RE-500 insulation is not meant to fix mechanical issues. If your system is damaged, a repair or replacement will be needed.
Why Use RE-500 in New York and New Jersey
Even though RE-500 is available nationwide, there are a few points that come to mind as to why it’s especially relevant for New York and New Jersey.
1 High Humidity
Here, we experience humid summers, I’m sure the huge body of water next door has something to do with it. Humidity means moisture, and moisture most typically means mold.
2 Aging Infrastructure
With our aging buildings, come aging legacy systems. Most times, they simply need a good restoration, instead of a full overhaul.
3 Air Quality Regulations
Certain buildings (like schools and hospitals) often have stricter air quality and VOC requirements. If health standards are a must, RE-500 offers peace of mind.
4 Energy Efficiency
When you seal up all the places that could be causing energy loss (think joints, seams, and so forth), your system tends to work more efficiently.
Of course, these aren’t the only benefits to using RE-500. It also helps prevent airborne particles, minimize debris buildup, and flat out expand the life of your HVAC system. No matter if you’re managing a facility in Brooklyn, or improving your home in Iselin, RE-500 can be a good proactive option for your HVAC.
Final Thoughts on RE-500 Encapsulation
Remember, proper preparation is crucial, and something like duct encapsulation really should be left to the professionals. A pro knows how to deal with space constraints, surface compatibility, and proper application. Of course, your team at Green Ductors can be of help. We can provide duct cleaning, consultation, and encapsulation/remediation services. It’s important to know that if your ductwork is too far gone, encapsulating it won’t fix the issue at hand. Hence, it’s important for a technician to inspect and access your system beforehand so you aren’t throwing your money to the wind.
Overall, RE-500 coating and encapsulation is a great strategic upgrade for your system. It can lead to better HVAC performance and in turn improve system efficiency and lower energy costs. If you’re ready for reliable improvement results, don’t wait and give our team a call at 888-334-1612 to discuss.
