insulation

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Daniel_Marsh

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does anyone know if one should insulate dryer vent pipe that goes through a heated crawlspace?

The crawlspace is heated because that is where the hot water pipes are.
 
In my eighteen years in the insulation business, I have never seen a dryer vent pipe insulated and can’t think of any reason to do so.
 
Daniel Marsh:
does anyone know if one should insulate dryer vent pipe that goes through a heated crawlspace?
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The whole purpose of insulation is to keep heat in. Since a dryer vent is made to vent heat from a dryer, there is no real purpose. It might be helping to keep your crawlspace warm - essentially re-using the heat from the dryer to warm the crawlspace.
 
the reason I ask is cold air is getting into the pipe when the dryer is not in use and the pipe is acting like a cold air raditator.
 
Thanks

I am just trying to find ways to cut back on gas use.

Anyone, ever do the plastic on windows?

This summer, I did install the weather stripping.

or would heavy, thick curtains be more effective?

Is there a way one can take a picture to find out where one is losing heat?
 
Daniel Marsh:
Thanks

I am just trying to find ways to cut back on gas use.

Anyone, ever do the plastic on windows?
This summer, I did install the weather stripping.

or would heavy, thick curtains be more effective?

Is there a way one can take a picture to find out where one is losing heat?
Click to expand...
YOur local utility company (at least here in NJ) will come to your house and do an assesment on where you can safe /conserve heat etc. in your house. Here in NJ it is free.

IT seems that you have issues with your windows…why not replace them?
 
my windows are new. shifting footing in old part of house.
 
Typically, insufficient attic insulation and single pane windows each account for about ten per cent of your heat loss. Attic insulation can be professionally blown in for 70 cents a square foot or less, depending on how much you need.

A cheap partial remedy: Get a couple of cans of expanding foam such as Great Stuff, put on some throw away clothes and go in the crawl space. Everywhere you see a pipe or wire going up into the house, squirt some foam in the hole. Just press the trigger and release. The foam will grow to fit the hole. If you wait until it oozes out, you will end up with a baseball size chunk hanging out. This will stop cold air from getting in your walls and making them feel cold. When interior surfaces are at or near the ambient temperature, you will feel more comfortable, even with a lower thermostat setting. You can clean the foam off your skin with lacquer thinner. It will not come out of clothing.

6 mil plastic and/or heavy drapes on the windows will also help. Don’t waste your money on the foam gaskets to go behind the receptacle and switch cover plates. Seal the holes under the house with foam instead.

Wrap your water heater and put pipe insulation on your hot water pipes where they are exposed in the crawl space.
 
Since expanding foam products, such as Great Stuff, are likened to a permanent change, I would advise using a wrrapping foam that can be removed in the event that you need to repair that area down the road. Plus, the expanding foam puts pressure on surrounding areas which may loosen other connections or damage other structures.
 
Daniel Marsh:
Thanks

I am just trying to find ways to cut back on gas use.

Anyone, ever do the plastic on windows?

This summer, I did install the weather stripping.

or would heavy, thick curtains be more effective?

Is there a way one can take a picture to find out where one is losing heat?
Click to expand...
We just spent $100 to put that shrink-wrap plastic on every single window in our house! (I lost count…) :banghead: We haven’t gotten a gas bill yet to see what kind of help it’s going to be, but I notice much less cold draftiness. In any case, I think it’s a good trade off just for the peace of mind that we’ve done all we could to keep our bill down.

The whole concept behind the plasic is to eliminate air flow, and create a wall of dead air between the cold air outside, your window panes & window crevices, and the warm air inside. It definitely does that, and if you follow the directions, it’ll go on so tightly that you won’t see a wrinkle & forget that it’s there.

If you don’t do the plastic, you might consider “More-tite,” a silly putty-type worm/cord that you use to block up cracks.

Someone at Home Depot mentioned that you can insulate your exterior wall electrical outlets–they are a source of cold air as well.

I have heard of taking photos using thermal(?) or radiant(?) film, but don’t know what that costs.

We keep our thermostat on 60 during the day, and at 55 at night (starting at 8pm). We invested in a good set of flannel sheets. And we just get alot of use out of our sweaters, long johns & wool socks! Same for our 1 year old.
 
How does one install a vent between rooms?

I hear using your ceiling fan to force hot air down.
 
Daniel Marsh:
I hear using your ceiling fan to force hot air down.
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Yes you just reverse it from how you have it turning in the summer. We have cieling fans in all of our rooms and do this…but only run the cieling fan when you are actually in the room otherwise you are just wasting electricity
 
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