Does the addition of cooling equipment in a crawl space require existing ductwork to be insulated?

When considering the installation of cooling equipment in a crawl space, it is important to understand the requirements regarding ductwork insulation. In general, the National and North Carolina Mechanical Codes emphasize that insulation is necessary for ductwork that runs through unconditioned spaces to prevent energy loss and condensation issues.

However, when new cooling equipment is added to an existing system in a crawl space, the existing ductwork does not automatically require insulation if it is already uninsulated. The codes typically focus on ductwork that is not adequately insulated when it is within an unconditioned space, such as a crawl space. Thus, the existing ductwork may remain uninsulated as long as it was not originally required to be insulated based on the conditions it meets.

This reasoning leads to the conclusion that the addition of cooling equipment alone does not automatically mandate insulating the existing ductwork unless specific code provisions or conditions apply. The practices concerning energy efficiency, moisture control, and the specific conditions of the installation can influence this decision. Therefore, option B is correct as it reflects the current understanding of code requirements for existing ductwork when adding new cooling equipment.