DIY Spray foam kit for a smaller area is it worth it?

[JOE.G]

Hi, My buddy asked me to give him a hand insulating a small area, Under a Cottage he is using as a vacation rental he put a small Electric hot water heater, The cottage is on piers with siding all the way around, but no insulation besides on the floors, He built a small wall around the Water heater and wants to insulate it. Do those do it yourself kits work well? Any ideas on which?

 

[PCustoms]

How big of an area?

How thick you trying to go?

 

[htmdude57]

I would think a couple of 4 x 8 sheets of foam board would be easier and cheaper. Less mess/cleanup.

 

[Firebrick43]

So this insulation will be covered or left open? Close to ground contact? The DIY spray foam kits are one of the worst R value per dollar insulations there is and is very prone to misapplication.

 

[JOE.G]

I have not messaured the area yet, I do know that it is only about 3 Ft from Ground to floor, I have not looked at the completed "room" This will be left open, no one will see it just wanting to keep the the water tank from freezing, the pipes come out of tank and go straight up to the bathroom.

 

[Firebrick43]

If in contact with dirt I would use XPS. IF not I would use polyiso sheet for its much superior fire resistance.

 

[u2slow]

I looked at the "froth pak" kits for some time, years back. I decided on a few sheets of rigid foam and some spray cans.

 

[JOE.G]

NY winters, do you think 2Inch foam boards with foam sealant in seams good enough? Any heat source in the space needed?

 

[jack stand]

Why play around? Buy one extra sheet and insulate the **** out of it and (possibly) save $200-300 for the hwh that doesn't freeze up.
It you do this properly a light bulb (non led) should do all the heating.

 

[htmdude57]

If the foundation walls are sealed against drafts, a basement can stay at 50 degrees F, even if it's colder outside. I agree with Jack, seal up water heater with 4 x 8 foam panels and keep a light bulb lit inside it. Are there other water pipes in the crawl space? How have they fared over winter?

 

[JOE.G]

The place was never used in the winter, This will be the first time, There are a few pipes, and everything is contained to one area. We will put up as many foam boards as needed, I am just not sure how thick we should go. I have not been over yet to look at the final size of the area that was sectioned off for the water heater.

 

[PoorUB]

I would add heat of some sort. If the water heater fails you have a big mess. Depending on you climate a 100 watt light bulb or up to a small baseboard heater may work.