Re: Re: Re: Re: Thinking out loud

[spiman]

After spending a couple of hours reading this thread yesterday, here comes my 2 cents worth straight from Richard Cranium.........................as my little woman calls me............

While in the process of rebuilding my house last year, I was checking out several different methods of insulation and here is what I found out......

Full foam closed cell insulation in the walls = R value 30+
Full foam closed cell insulation in the ceiling = R value 40+

1" thick foam sprayed as a sealer + fiberglass bats over the top of it in the walls + Celatex on the outside = R value 26

Blown insulation in the ceiling 14" thick = R value around 40

I am not a rocket scientist but the numbers speak volumes as far as I am concerned and would think the same would hold true for a hot tub

[drewstar]

Since we are in the dead horse section, I have no second thoughts about beating this issue.   The insulation issue is one that I personally have a lot of interest in.  Anyhow, I agree with you.

Foam insulation works.   If you want to retain heat in a vessel of water, foam simply works the best.  It works 24/7 and doesn't require maintianing a heated air barrier.  
 
The problem I have with TP tubs is they willl always rely on aggresive use of the pumps. Proponents of TP claim this as a virtue, I feel it's a limitation.

The percieved edge of TP tubs is since it's reclaiming the heat off the pumps it's a "better" system.  

Better how?

I have yet to see any defintive proof that TP is cheaper to run than FF.

it's not more efficent.

Requiring pumps to run several times a day  will become even more cumbersome as  we seen improvements in water care as  improved heater efficenties.


Air is not a better "insualtor".

TP needs to run hot pumps several times a day to maintian the heated air barrier.   The heated air will always be in a state of balanceing either between the water shell or the outside cabinet.  Air has very little insualting abilities (as in R values) It can heat AND cool quickly.  IE; Air  does not reatin heat very well.


If you want a quiet, trouble free tub with great heat retention abilities, FF  is a simple choice.