Should I Insulate KA6?

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ShawnTRD
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Post by ShawnTRD » Sun. Aug. 10, 2014 5:10 pm

My Keystoker KA6 will be in the garage/basement. I have no intention of heating that area, and want the KA6 to use as little coal as it needs. So can/should I insulate the outside? Would I still be able to hang the sides?

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Sun. Aug. 10, 2014 7:54 pm

Even if you did want to heat the area where the boiler lives, there are better ways of doing it than leaving the boiler insulation off.

The boiler will be able to maintain temp much better if you insulate it well. I wouldn't worry about getting the covers back on if your going to increase the performance of your boiler with a good coat of insuation.

-Don

 
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ShawnTRD
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Post by ShawnTRD » Sun. Aug. 10, 2014 8:25 pm

That's what I was thinking. Any recommendations on what I should use?


 
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Post by Pacowy » Sun. Aug. 10, 2014 8:39 pm

Yes you can/should insulate the boiler if you're not trying to heat that area. It doesn't take a lot of insulation to keep most of the heat where you want it; you shouldn't need so much that you can't get the jackets on.

Leaving the jackets off can work effectively when you are trying to heat the area the boiler is in. We did it in our old house and it immediately civilized the unheated basement and improved the "feel" of the first floor of a drafty old house, all without spending a nickel on radiation, piping or controls. It does use more coal; depends on the situation whether it's a good idea.

Mike

 
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Aug. 10, 2014 8:43 pm

Insulate the boiler and piping. Make sure the covers fit snugly together and stuff the openings around the pipe trappings with insulation. You do not want an air current through the gap between the covers and boiler.

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