First I did it, then I studied the instructions 🙄. I tried what a heater in cylinders is (I didn’t think that there were so many nuances).

When building my house, I have already tried many types of different foams, from different manufacturers. And it seemed to me that if there were any subtleties of its use, then I already knew them ...

But there was one more untested copy that brought something new.

Those who follow my channel are aware that I am currently working with my homemade recuperator.

• I already made it and mounted it in place (all background, on my channel).
• It remains to install ventilation channels and bring them to the heat exchanger.

Why do I need to insulate something?

The main task of the heat exchanger is the heat exchange between the air entering the house and the one that is removed outside. All these processes must take place directly in the heat exchanger, and nowhere else.

Therefore, for maximum benefit from the heat exchanger, the supply and exhaust ducts must be thermally insulated from the internal temperature of the room.

✅ For these purposes, I decided to use a heater in cylinders.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary balloon with polyurethane foam. But at work, you see the difference.

• The first difference is a special nozzle that helps to evenly spray the insulation.
• In addition, a large expansion is immediately noticeable, which occurs immediately after application.

The result was such a "curly result".

But in reality, things could have been better.

Yes, I admit, I can't do without it... It happens that you do it first, and then you see how it should be. And in this work with a heater, it turns out that there are also little things. About which I learned after the work done.

✔ Use water before, and interestingly after applying the foam.

The fact that it is useful to wet the surface and apply foam, I already knew (this contributes to its better polymerization, and adhesion to the surface). In the case of a regular assembly change, this may be enough.

But, in order to get maximum polymerization, and expansion (what do we need from a heater), it is better not to spare water, and spray the insulation immediately after application.

❗ This can improve the fire resistance of the material.

To do this, instead of ordinary water, fire protection is used for spraying, which penetrates the structure of the foam (although I don’t know how much it will work in reality).

✔ Step by step is also important.

I applied the insulation, trying to cover the surface at a time. But it is better to act slowly.

• First, one layer is applied, and it doesn’t matter if there are gaps or not, you need to let it expand and harden as much as possible.
• Only then apply the second layer, I will eliminate all the flaws.

Thus, you can get the maximum result, with a minimum consumption of foam.

In my work, I spent three cylinders, which for such small volumes, seems to me a lot.

As a result, the ventilation channels are insulated, the conclusions are made, we move on ...

Friends, I'm waiting for your opinion in the comments. Share your thoughts and experiences, it's always helpful.

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