Concrete Pony Wall

[jeff_gates]

I'm located in the PNW and it's in the mid 30's these days.

My shop has a 4 foot concrete pony wall, after doing some google searching it's a R-2. We went to Home Depot and they have R-13.1 Foam Insulation Board for $40 each, we would need about 20 sheets but that would get us to an R-15 more or less. Is the cost of $800 worth it? How long is the pay back?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[Dumber than lumber]

It is worth it IMO.
Can’t comment on payback period. Check with your utility provider?

 

[yeldogt]

By pony wall are you simply saying you have a 4' concrete wall w/o any insulation? Is it above ground or holding back soil?

Typically foam 2" is used above and a bit less can be used if underground. Are you going to finish?

As to cost" The sheets have become more expensive. The payback is a question of comfort and temp differences -- only you can determine that.

 

[fitter30]

Insulation pays two ways every month on utilities and comfort. Check with ur utility companies for any rebates. Would also check with the manufacturer for proper installation moisture does travel through cement.

 

[65ranchero]

It may not be the best cost wise but, Have you looked in to Insofast panels?
https://www.insofast.com/
I did that for the stem walls in the garage and screwed on FRP to finish it off.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Calculating payback depends on many factors, including whether the shop has its own thermostat, what proportion of the overall ”envelope” that pony wall represents, what temperatures you maintain and when, efficiency of the heat source, energy cost, and more that don’t come immediately to mind.