Use loose straw or bales for insulating tanks

[Rugar]

Would there be any drawbacks to this aproach. I believe a standard size square bale hase an R value of fifty. Not for sure though.

 

[stee6043]

Inside or outside? How far from your boiler? My first concern would be the tendency of stray to...say...burn. I wouldn't want it inside my house or anywhere near the boiler. Next would be the size it takes up. It may be R50 but you could get R50 by taking up a lot less space with fiberglass or even blow-in, spray foam or others...

 

[Rugar]

my boiler is in a shed 50 ft from the house. Thinking of knocking out a wall to extend the barn to add storage. If it takes up an extra foot it's not that big of a concern. I would build a box around whatever I use to insulate with. I wouldn't think a spark would be a likely issue. One more note is I have my boiler insured for anything. I'm only thinking is the cheaper cost worth the idea.

and what other pro's and con's are there

 

[NHFarmer]

I think Rodents will be problem

 

[kenny chaos]

It will decompose. You'd need access to refresh bales.

 

[DenaliChuck]

People use straw bales to build houses...they shouldn't decompose unless they get wet. Sounds interesting.

 

[shoeboxlen]

what about the tendency for straw to spontaniously combust. Granted this is usually when the stuff is drying that the gases are produced. but I know from alot of local farmers that it is imparative to have ventilation for hay storage to be safe. ignore my spelling its monday morning nuff said...

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Do some searches on straw bale construction. They completely cover the bales with stucco. I think that would be hard to do in an existing structure. If they aren't completely covered I think you'll have a terrible rodent problem. Straw is worse than hay for attracting rodents because is has enough grain left in it to make it a rodent house and diner.

 

[Rugar]

I really doubt that straw can spontaniously combust. There can be a fire when fresh baled straw that still has some moisture in it gets packed into a barn and the tempreature makes that moisture start to "heat", decay some of the hay. It reaches high temps," composting" which could cause a fire. Otherwise straw is safe from spontanious combustion.

Really I could, (for the price of straw) replace it every year.

 

[ManiacPD]

I bought fiberglass insulation to fill in the gaps around my tank. Home Depot has R30 unfaced rolls 25' long x 15" wide for around $9.40/roll right now. Save the slip and you'll get 30% of that back at tax time. That's pretty cheap insulation that won't burn. I got 3 rolls to tuck around the tank.