Packing peanuts for insulation in a solar kiln

[isassi]

This got to be really in depth..so here is another look. EPS is great insulation, no doubt. Fiberglass is better still (barring air movement). When we rehab older houses, we now vapor block the external walls, bat the inside, and sometimes moisture block the interior as well. New premium vinyl siding has insulation molded to the siding and flat to the house. This system only promises an "R" gain of 6 or so. R value is a very misleading term for a blanket approach. The bottom line is most homes and buildings are not air tight, leading to heat/cooling loss. All things sealed, then the building materials conductivity is rated. 3 inch fiberglass has a much higher r value then stated, but due to 2X4's and framing, ect. it can not block tranfer, so the rating is only arbitrary. That is why an inch of EPS board on a well insulated house gives such a boost, especially combined with a house wrap and caulking + taping the seams of the EPS with foil tape. Now for the numbers: Insulation is the cheapest by far of all materials to build with, and if the wall cavities allow it or you have access to spray equipment, blown cellulose is a great insulator and is nearly all from recycling. )less the 20 cents p/s/f.  :P

[brdmkr]

Well, I suppose I will be the proud ownert of 60 cu ft of peanuts!  Man, I hope they work.  If they don't I'll have a mess

[DanG]

Blown cellulose is great insulation, but not recommended for kilns.  The high humidity from the drying wood will soak it with condensation, and it will cease to insulate.  At least, that's what the "Doc" says. :

[isassi]

I hadn't even thought of that dang.....very valid point, so I suppose we shoudl say that EPS board would be the best. Thinking further, all those peanuts would trap water in the bottom of the cavities also.