Jordan Smith weighs in on a long-running debate among builders: whether HVAC equipment belongs in a conditioned attic or should be routed through soffits within the conditioned envelope of the home. He argues for keeping mechanical systems out of unconditioned spaces while acknowledging the tradeoff of conditioning extra square footage. His preferred solution places ducting and equipment inside livable second-story space, complete with a dedicated mechanical room, while venting the roof assembly separately above the insulation layer. He also stresses designing simpler rooflines and lower pitches to keep attic volume in check, and argues that keeping HVAC systems away from ceilings and soffits makes homes easier to remodel without damaging the air barrier over time.

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