blown in attic insulation bad for tank?

[cath]

I didn't know whether to include this in GRD or M'vlle, so here it goes.

Next weekend I'm getting my attic insulation improved with blown-in insulation. Is there any concern about any insulation leaking out of the giant hose that is used to blow it into the attic? The machine will be on my patio, and go through the dining room, turn a corner, and go up the pull down stairs to the attic.

[motorslave]

Usualy its old newspaper and such. I would cover the tank for the time just to be sure. Once all is done and the attic is shut up thiongs sgould be fine.

Robert

[Rick O]

Originally Posted by motorslave

Usualy its old newspaper and such.

Coming from someone that spends a lot of time in attics the ground up newspaper insulation is nasty. I think the stuff breaks down into too small pieces. I don't know what it is about that stuff but every time I see it in an attic the attic just seems dirtier than other attics. More dust and more cobwebs. What's the white cottony stuff they use? It's not fiberglass so it won't be itchy but something similar to that. It has more fluff to it which provides the dead air space.

[cath]

Thanks, Robert and Rick-

The stuff that will be used is Cocoon. http://www.cocooninsulation.com/
The man that is doing the work checked to see what is already up there, and it is a similar type product and only about 3 inches deep. I was told a the big orange box that it's not a good idea to put fiberglass on top of the other. The attic is 1200 sf, so I was advised to get 40 bags of the stuff.

The eaves openings are huge at both ends of the house, so the guy might cover up at least part of them. I also want to cover up the whole house fan (which I don't use) and insulate the area between the stairs on the pull down ladder.

Any comments there?

[Doug1]

what kind of whole house fan Cath?

[cath]

A reallllly big fan, Doug. It's in the ceiling in the hall. I'm thinking that I could be losing heat, or cold air coming down from cracks around it.

[Doug1]

So is it hooked up to ducting to move air around the house?

[Junkzoo]

Originally Posted by cath

The eaves openings are huge at both ends of the house, so the guy might cover up at least part of them. I also want to cover up the whole house fan (which I don't use) and insulate the area between the stairs on the pull down ladder.

Any comments there?

Cath, my comment on that would be a big YES , to cover/insulate the whole house fan,,,that is, IF you can get to easily to take it off , come warmer weather. I'm up in my attic at least two times a year, one to uncover the fan, then to cover it all back up again,,. When i go up there come colder weather(to close it up )when i am over the fan, can feel the heat rising up thru the fan (unless you got that big $ fan , w/ two big ol muffin fans ,and a timed remote operated/ insulated covers) And when to get the fan covered , i find my furnace does not cycle as much.

In my situation, I first cover the fan(after i pull up the pull chain, and hold it up w/ a clothespin) with visqueen(sp),heavier than the cheapie plastic drop cloth stuff. since my fan framework sits above the attic joists, i put batt insulation around the fan frame, (picture it as "framing " the fan box in insulation) and then i cover the top of the fan with a layer of thick insulation batts. then i shinny my behind back to the opening of the access opening, make sure the insulation i have on/over the access door is secure , lower it back into place, and i'm good to go,,,,,until the warmer weather comes around,,,

Ooops , gotta call at work here, will add to this,,ASAP

[Junkzoo]

Cath, BTW, the latest Family Handyman has a couple of winter insulation articles,,one being a good way to insulate your attic access opening,,,,

[Junkzoo]

Originally Posted by cath

.

I also want to cover up the whole house fan (which I don't use)

How's come Cath?, don't ya get warm enuf weather in the summer to use it? It helps loads b4 the real hot (a/c) weather comes around here,,,,Just gotta remember to open enuf windows,,so you don't draft thru yer chimney,,,and blow out yer pilot.

[Junkzoo]

Originally Posted by Junkzoo

Cath, BTW, the latest Family Handyman has a couple of winter insulation articles,,one being a good way to insulate your attic access opening,,,,

Just checked on line,,,not available online,,,it's in the Jan '07 issue FYI,,,

[Rick O]

Originally Posted by Junkzoo

How's come Cath?, don't ya get warm enuf weather in the summer to use it? It helps loads b4 the real hot (a/c) weather comes around here,,,,Just gotta remember to open enuf windows,,so you don't draft thru yer chimney,,,and blow out yer pilot.

Yep those things are nice. When the house is still hot from the daytime heat but it's cooled down at night they will cool the house down quickly. I only use mine during the season change but it's great then.

[Junkzoo]

Yup Rick, i like to use mine 'specially b4 i turn on the A/C on those warmer days that sneak up on me,,,cools off the house (and attic) so the a/c don't have to work that hard.

(Just gotta make sure the feathered friends here are not out and about when the fan is running . )

[motorslave]

Whole house fans are great! We use ours early in the morning with each window cracked a bit. Brings in fresh cool air and happens to be a good cure for houseatosis!

Robert

[cath]

Originally Posted by Doug1

So is it hooked up to ducting to move air around the house?

I don't think so, Doug. It's probably around 2 1/2' to 3' in diameter. I haven't used it for over 15 years, and I would want someone who knows something about them to be around if I ever turned it on. Not sure it is still safe. But as I recall..it really moves the air! Yup..gotta have windows and doors open for the draft.