Insulating the top of the Garn.

[Sawyer]

I am about to set the rear header for the ceiling of the Garn on the outside wall, I want to have a 4’ wide access panel from the outside for inspection and service if necessary this will allow access to the supply/return as well as the air intake and the flue.

I have looked at photos of other installations and notice that on some the ceilings are higher than the manhole with a framed opening which I think is a good idea for additional insulation
.
Is there a point of no return on how thick to make this blanket? I do realize you have to be able to reach the manhole and anodes. In a house the heat loss is greatest near and at the ceiling.

Those that have already done this, do you now wish you had added more insulation above the unit?

Perhaps I am getting too anal on the insulation but I would like to cut my standby losses as much as possible.

 

[Rick Stanley]

pasted from other thread

I made the walls 7’-4’’ tall, anticipating filling the whole thing with loose insulation, figuring that would give me a good 12’‘plus of insulation over the top of the tank and yes I planned on a sheet metal collar around the manway. But I changed my mind, for the billionth time, and ended up going with two layers of 6” no-face fiberglass batts, which I still haven’t completely finished. But I did find that with batts, no collar is really needed. I just placed/semi-packed a couple of layers of cut pieces around the manway and they just kinda sit there in place.
I have made SOME progress beyond what the Flickr thing shows right now and do have pics. I’ll update that soon.

 

[Sawyer]

Thanks Rick. I am glad to hear the progress continues. I too have to add photos to my blog to update the progress. I have learned a lot by viewing other’s designs by viewing their photos and reading their postings. I too am going to go higher, I have to decide how much today before I set the header.