Outdoor Solar Geyser Blankets

[kennedym]

Hi guys

I have an outside geyser and am looking to put a blanket around it. After some shopping around, I am not to happy with the products I have found mainly because of the design.
I see that they are all foil covered blankets with foam or something inside.
My problem is with the foil, I fail to understand why you would have the shiny foil on the outside as that would reflect heat from the sun.
In my mind the outside should be black made from something like what the R1 insulation piping material is made from, maybe add some foam on the inside and then lastly foil on the innermost side with the shiny part facing the geyser.

I would appreciate thoughts comments on why they design it that way.

 

[StaceyLee]

I’ve just been shopping online trying to find a black outdoor geyser blanket. Clearly only you and I think alike and am surprised that there isn’t one! Let me know if you find anything please and I’ll do the same

 

[kennedym]

I’ve just been shopping online trying to find a black outdoor geyser blanket. Clearly only you and I think alike and am surprised that there isn’t one! Let me know if you find anything please and I’ll do the same

Hi Stacey, I have found nothing. I also chatted to the guys but the explanations are usually it keeps your geyser warm and works very well, not much else, lol.

Foil does insulate fairly well, for example the medical blankets used to keep patients warm like those "space blankets" are effective because it reflects the heat generated on the inside back to whatever it is keeping warm.
I think the same principle applies here so it should be fairly effective at keeping the heat the geyser generates, to stay with the geyser. My goal is to try and also capitalize on the heat from the outside(sun) and add that to the mix.

I think if I used the normal geyser blanket but cover it with say R1 insulation rubber on the outside, it will make it more effective. To get even further you want a way to capture the heat on the outside from the sun and have it transferred below the geyser blanket foil, this is because foil is shiny on both sides, the shinier part facing the geyser so you want to capture the heat and have it delivered below that point so that the shiny foil can reflect it down toward the geyser. This would probably be way more effective than just covering the geyser with R1 insulation rubber and a geyser blanket but would be much more complicated to do, so I think I am going to try just the foil geyser blanket with R1 insulation which should be ok for now. The R1 insulation will also add extra protection for the foil but they claim that the geyser blankets are fairly durable, I have no experience with that to really comment other than marketing I see.

The R1 mentioned is the same rubber they use to insulate the copper pipes. They are usually sold in a form that looks like a pipe, I need a big sheet which I have not seen anyone sell. Will post back here if I find anything.

 

[Stokstert]

Google rubber sheeting, there are a big variety to choose from. I would use the normal foil blanket and then cover it with rubber insertion sheeting.

 

[Pak Fa Fui]

Ever roasted something in an oven covered in foil?
It heats from outside and keeps the heat in.

 

[Evesen]

kennedym

Hi Stacey, I have found nothing. I also chatted to the guys but the explanations are usually it keeps your geyser warm and works very well, not much else, lol.

Foil does insulate fairly well, for example the medical blankets used to keep patients warm like those "space blankets" are effective because it reflects the heat generated on the inside back to whatever it is keeping warm.
I think the same principle applies here so it should be fairly effective at keeping the heat the geyser generates, to stay with the geyser. My goal is to try and also capitalize on the heat from the outside(sun) and add that to the mix.

I think if I used the normal geyser blanket but cover it with say R1 insulation rubber on the outside, it will make it more effective. To get even further you want a way to capture the heat on the outside from the sun and have it transferred below the geyser blanket foil, this is because foil is shiny on both sides, the shinier part facing the geyser so you want to capture the heat and have it delivered below that point so that the shiny foil can reflect it down toward the geyser. This would probably be way more effective than just covering the geyser with R1 insulation rubber and a geyser blanket but would be much more complicated to do, so I think I am going to try just the foil geyser blanket with R1 insulation which should be ok for now. The R1 insulation will also add extra protection for the foil but they claim that the geyser blankets are fairly durable, I have no experience with that to really comment other than marketing I see.

The R1 mentioned is the same rubber they use to insulate the copper pipes. They are usually sold in a form that looks like a pipe, I need a big sheet which I have not seen anyone sell. Will post back here if I find anything.

Have you managed to find anything on the market?As I am also looking.The problem I have is the geyser blankets gets shedded/brittle by the elements(sun,wild,rain etc).in about 8-12months there’s nothing left.I’m thinking of building a mild steel box with an air gap and fill with aerolite or anyother insulating material. And then adding a blanket. (not to heavy maybe like a 0.5mm-1mm thickness sheet to keep the weight down)

Please share you have found anyother solution.

Regards

 

[wesselsj]

I was told that outside blankets need to be water and weather proof. Once the rockwool or other insulation materials get wet, it retains the water and stays wet for a considerable time. This ultimately causes the outer sheetmetal of the geyser to corrode/rust.

 

[djrproserve]

Whatever you’re covering over your geyser situated outside facing the elements (rain,sun,and wind) I recommend putting an 80% shade net over it and maybe a fine mesh chicken wire on top around it.
It seems we have pidgeons and Indian minahs who might be breaking the material covering the geyser to take pieces for their nest.
I had a Kwikot geyser blanket on ours on the roof and that lasted maybe a year.
Need to protect the blanket with additional ways. : )

 

[upup]

I have put a asbestos plate over my water pump, painting it with roof paint. You will need to get a frame over the geyser to do that.

 

[Oboe]

Exterior-Interior Geyser Insulation Pack

The geyser's electrical wiring area should not be covered over. This is advised by the manufacturers as it could interfere with routine geyser maintenance. The maintenance access to the tank should be left open for the following devices: Electrical Element. Thermostat. Sacrificial Anode. R-value...

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