Insulation- The Science
Posted: 20 Dec 2017, 16:11
Hi All,
I am due to start a refit in the New Year and whilst discussing the various options with the owner the age old debate of insulation in campervans was at large. Now whilst I have my own opinions, as many others do I wondered if any actual science has been applied.
Im not talking about calculations that can be done to calculate resistance this and resistance that etc., but to design an experiment and actually test different insulation materials to see how effective they are in a campervan environment.
Campervans are so variable, how much insulation, type, vapour barriers, windows etc etc etc, so , when I say ‘science’ I say this in the loosest term because to set up an experiment in the garage and accurately test the many variables involved is beyond my technical expertise, financial commitment and probably my time. Having said that, everyone loves an experiment!!
So this is what I propose:
• Construct a .7mm thick metal box with a removable 50mm cavity and lid. Box dimensions approx. 300mmx300mm plus 50mm cavity surrounding.
• Different insulation materials can be placed inside to test heat escape via conduction and air temperature retention inside the box.
• The heat source will be via a heat gun and I was planning to monitor the internal air temperature with a remote thermometer and the conductive heat escape with a laser temperature gun.
I would be interested in what people thoughts and opinions are on this, for three initial reasons:
1. To see if it is actually worth doing.
2. Technical opinions and the process to conduct the experiment (other than my initial thoughts)
3. To have a say in what gets tested and get involved.
My Thoughts,
In the home masonry surfaces are typically heated up via conduction and act like a storage heater releasing heat back to the building, providing the insulation behind it is effective and doing its job.
In a campervan there are very few surfaces that actually conduct heat apart from the metal body, and we typically cover these over to prevent moisture laden warm air condensing with cold surfaces and producing condensation.
In previous installations I have simply applied as much twin foil bubble to backs of panels etc. to reflect heat back into the van and also act as a vapour barrier, so my thoughts are that the foil insulation is effective enough to be used without further insulation within the voids etc. because heat loss occurs elsewhere such as windows, uninsulated surfaces and when you simply open the door. The theory being that only the air is warm and therefore when you open a door the heat is momentarily lost with little conducting materials being present to release heat back into the van.
Of course many people will have a different opinion and thoughts of what has worked for them and others etc., and as stated earlier testing every variable is probably impossible or not worth doing.
I am due to start a refit in the New Year and whilst discussing the various options with the owner the age old debate of insulation in campervans was at large. Now whilst I have my own opinions, as many others do I wondered if any actual science has been applied.
Im not talking about calculations that can be done to calculate resistance this and resistance that etc., but to design an experiment and actually test different insulation materials to see how effective they are in a campervan environment.
Campervans are so variable, how much insulation, type, vapour barriers, windows etc etc etc, so , when I say ‘science’ I say this in the loosest term because to set up an experiment in the garage and accurately test the many variables involved is beyond my technical expertise, financial commitment and probably my time. Having said that, everyone loves an experiment!!
So this is what I propose:
• Construct a .7mm thick metal box with a removable 50mm cavity and lid. Box dimensions approx. 300mmx300mm plus 50mm cavity surrounding.
• Different insulation materials can be placed inside to test heat escape via conduction and air temperature retention inside the box.
• The heat source will be via a heat gun and I was planning to monitor the internal air temperature with a remote thermometer and the conductive heat escape with a laser temperature gun.
I would be interested in what people thoughts and opinions are on this, for three initial reasons:
1. To see if it is actually worth doing.
2. Technical opinions and the process to conduct the experiment (other than my initial thoughts)
3. To have a say in what gets tested and get involved.
My Thoughts,
In the home masonry surfaces are typically heated up via conduction and act like a storage heater releasing heat back to the building, providing the insulation behind it is effective and doing its job.
In a campervan there are very few surfaces that actually conduct heat apart from the metal body, and we typically cover these over to prevent moisture laden warm air condensing with cold surfaces and producing condensation.
In previous installations I have simply applied as much twin foil bubble to backs of panels etc. to reflect heat back into the van and also act as a vapour barrier, so my thoughts are that the foil insulation is effective enough to be used without further insulation within the voids etc. because heat loss occurs elsewhere such as windows, uninsulated surfaces and when you simply open the door. The theory being that only the air is warm and therefore when you open a door the heat is momentarily lost with little conducting materials being present to release heat back into the van.
Of course many people will have a different opinion and thoughts of what has worked for them and others etc., and as stated earlier testing every variable is probably impossible or not worth doing.