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Spray foam is a highly effective insulative material that can dramatically reduce your energy bills and create a more comfortable living space. It does have a couple of drawbacks, however. First and foremost, spray foam insulation is much more expensive than fiberglass batt insulation. In addition, spray foam insulation is a dangerous chemical material; this is a project that is best left to pros for proper and safe installation.

To cover your HVAC ducts and air vents during construction, use plastic sheets or drop cloths secured with painter's tape. Be sure to cover all supply vents on your floors and walls, as well as the larger HVAC return vent, which is typically on the ceiling. While canvas drop cloths can also be used, they may not catch all the fine dust. It is crucial to shut off your HVAC system or at least the zone where construction is happening. Running the system with vents sealed can put significant strain on the blower motor and air handler. For additional dust containment, you can also hang plastic sheets over doorways to separate the construction area from the rest of your home.

Exposed ductwork can sweat just like ductwork placed behind walls, sometimes even more so. Ductwork sweats—like a cold drink on a hot day—because of a temperature imbalance between the air in the duct and the air in the room. In a crawl space or wall, this temperature can equalize faster due to the small space but in lofts and open rooms, that wouldn’t happen as quickly. Many people insulate their ducts for this reason.

The best type of attic insulation depends on where you live, your budget, and what stage of construction the attic is in. For example, if you're building a house, then structural insulated panels are a worthy investment since they're easy to install during construction and they're the most energy-efficient type of insulation.  

Additionally, if you live in a very warm climate, then you can potentially save quite a bit of money by opting for reflective insulation, which is more affordable than comprehensive insulation but doesn't work well for cool climates. Blown-in, loose-fill, and spray foam insulation are all great options for attics in moderate climates.