Consequences of extra fridge insulation

[avanti]

There is an interesting thread over on the Transit forum in which a user reported an unintended consequence of adding extra insulation around his refrigerator:

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...2/post-1177660

He reports an issue in which such insulation caused condensation to form between the insulation and the fridge. The following quote is interesting:

From our backpacking days we know that when ever you insulate something colder than the dew point, the dew point lies somewhere within the insulation. Ideally it lies within the close cell portion of the factory fridge/freezer insulation. However, in our case it does not: It lies in 3M thinsulate on the outside of the metal skin surface of the fridge/freezer or on the metal skin surface in areas not covered by the insulation.

This is an interesting observation that is worth keeping in mind. Where there is condensation, there ls a real risk of mold. It is a cousin to the "insulation vapor barrier" issue that so many people (and at least one well-reputed upfitter) are so confused about.

[booster]

Originally Posted by avanti

There is an interesting thread over on the Transit forum in which a user reported an unintended consequence of adding extra insulation around his refrigerator:

https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/...2/post-1177660

He reports an issue in which such insulation caused condensation to form between the insulation and the fridge. The following quote is interesting:



This is an interesting observation that is worth keeping in mind. Where there is condensation, there ls a real risk of mold. It is a cousin to the "insulation vapor barrier" issue that so many people (and at least one well-reputed upfitter) are so confused about.

That is one of the main reasons that I used the foil faced insulation board which AFAIK are closed cell insulation with a vapor barrier on the outside toward the more humid area.


This is no different than condensation on an exterior vapor barrier during heating season, just on the inside surface or somewhere within the insulation.


With closed cell foil board, if done well and taped with foil, very little moisture will get to any surface cold enough to condense it and thus very little risk of mold or saturation.


I didn't read the posts yet, but if they used Thinsulate without an exterior vapor barrier, they were asking for the problem to happen, IMO.

[GeorgeRa]

Wherever I could in just a few places I glued close cell foam and sealed edges with aluminum tape. In other places I just inserted loose pieces of close cell foam. No perspiration issues.

[Davydd]

Closed cell polyurethane or styrofoam (not polystyrene boards) will do with or without a foil face. They are both closed cell meaning vapor can't get through and so will not transmit vapor to condensate on the refrigerator face.