Spray Foam insulation And Batteries in Attic ?

J_R

Hi,

I have 4 x 3 Kw batteries in the attic and considering getting roof spray foamed. And the also attic floor insulation upgraded. This was done when house was built 40 odd years ago and they will add a layer on top of the old fibre.

Would there be any problem with heat etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

conor_mc

Might it be that the insulation could actually have a desired effect of keeping the attic slightly cooler in summer, provided there isn’t a skylight or window up there causing solar gain?

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587755#Comment_122587755

Hi,

Yes was thinking same, insulation works both ways. Just worried perhaps build up of heat from the batteries.

Perhaps should install extractor fan ?

SD_DRACULA

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587774#Comment_122587774

Unless you're charging and discharging with 10kw the heat will be negligible.

You could buy something like this and get some real data (easily connects to home assistant if you have it)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Govee-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Temperature-Greenhouse/dp/B086YYL439/ref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa?crid=3M5O8UE85ZT7J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GyYm19BBn61BKQVJRxwPA72PHP9u5HQKHjmLA2QhrT7DLAksWdYVEaF8FnF_eey4Y1c0ydDhV9TfPuIWKAMlwhxUQkoHeuViIbUDrmgpB-I5gC6yH9dJ2ve2LonP_Zh62mZiWm9xMoQi7SvUIHV5MsGBhuT_KFAHdCOhyXBtafuB2c4qTnRoYe5PI7qslqGdc1qFV1YWp6qg8VCXfkWJlu3ejEDwm0qzanEj1R22P90.l-TxaTj9ibRbiMJqp5vjRZNxLiS19ZuUHbzdn4Yiee0&dib_tag=se&keywords=govee+bluetooth+thermometer&qid=1725610854&sprefix=govee+bluetoo%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

You should have battery temps in the inverter app also and should be able to check the history of that

Kaybaykwah

I wouldn't spray insulation on the ceiling of attic if that is what you’re asking. If you add more insulation to the floor, that will do the job.

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122587852#Comment_122587852

Thanks, arriving 9th Sept. No H.A. but bluetooth/phone should work fine

conor_mc

yeah, another layer of rockwool/fibre at ceiling level plus spraying the rafters is probably overkill though.

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122588851#Comment_122588851

Hi,

Yes, but to get the grant it was necessary, and it works out only a few Euro dearer. They will also cover the water pipes and they promised to put in few planks to make a walkway to my batteries etc and the old insulation was poor.

drury..

Does home insurance cover these batteries in an attic

Seems a hazard

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122588925#Comment_122588925

Hi,

Yes, they are now banned in the UK.

Full list of NO-No's UK

6.5.5 Batteries shall not be installed in any of the following locations:

a) rooms in which persons are intended to sleep;

b) routes used as a means of escape that are not defined as protected escape routes, including landings, staircases and corridors;

c) corridors, shafts, stairs or lobbies of protected escape routes;

d) firefighting lobbies, shafts or staircases;

e) storage cupboards, enclosures or spaces opening into rooms in which persons are intended to sleep;

f) outdoors (ground-mounted or wall-mounted in a suitable enclosure) within 1 m of:

escape routes;

2) doors;

3) windows; or

4) ventilation ports.

g) voids, roof spaces or lofts;

h) within 2 m of stored flammable materials and fuel storage tanks or cylinders; and

i) cellars or basements that have no access to the outside of the building.

drury..

Im a spark 30 yrs for what it's worth

Id never have them in the house

conor_mc

yes.

these are not Li-ion batteries, these are far more stable LiFePo4 batteries.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122588990#Comment_122588990

What's your experience with lithium iron phosphate batteries?

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058367856/spray-foam-insulation-and-batteries-in-attic

Not commenting on the batteries but if it were my house I wouldn't add insulation to the rafters.

It appears that the top of your thermal envelope runs across your attic floor. Stick with this and don't introduce insulation along the rafters. You will be introducing extra risk without reward … despite what the insulation salesman/woman may tell you.

_BAA_RAM_EWE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058367856/spray-foam-insulation-and-batteries-in-attic

spray foam destroys timbers, no? I see people in the UK not able to sell houses or get insurance or mortgage until a new roof goes in.

NedNew2

I'd also give it careful consideration - see here:

https://propertyinspect.com/uk/blog/spray-foam-insulation-guide-2024/

_BAA_RAM_EWE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122593200#Comment_122593200

It's the next huge bill for government. They've been telling people to do it and now tax payers will have to foot that bill to. Pumping walls with them little beads bringing up the rear. I see theirs companies now for trying to take them out aswell.

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122592940#Comment_122592940

Perhaps the wrong type of foam was used. The stuff I am getting is "Open Cell" which is supposed to allow the timber to breath. Installers will also place a board underneath which is also porous and will also help.

One installer I got a quote from said they did not install a board as it was not needed.🤥

circadian

Spray foam is extremely risky and there have been some horror stories.

J_R

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122593229#Comment_122593229

OK, I read the report. So, have fired off a note to my house insurance. See what they think.

_BAA_RAM_EWE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122593282#Comment_122593282

I had a read about Open cell on UK sites. Seems it's still to early days to know if it's any safer and they admit its definitely inferior, one site says not to put in high humidity areas as it absorbs water, it's not established and only a small number of lenders will touch it but only after specialist surveys and at higher interest rates. And it's a rotten industry looking at all the varying advice on all the sites depending who is giving it and if they have a gain.

Be careful anyway amigo.

mjatkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122593405#Comment_122593405

Guys, its the lenders you need to be talking to. House owners in the UK who have had certain types of foam added in roof space are having now pay again to have it removed before they can sell their houses.

No doubt its coming down the line here too.

Just be careful.

Kaybaykwah

The important thing is to insulate the floor of the attic, leaving the soffit space uncovered to let the cold inside the attic space. The space needs to be cold. The insulation is meant to keep the lower live-in parts warmer. No need to insulate the ceiling between rafters. The spray insulation is definitely a no-no as expressed in the previous posts.

manshay

I've had attic insulation installed and roof sprayed. We live in a dormer and the the insulation makes the attic space, which contains our solar inverter and battery, cooler than it was previously. House is wonderfully comfortable to live in.

Article in the Times today about spray foam, unfortunately paywalled.

https://www.irishtimes.com/property/residential/2024/09/12/think-long-and-hard-as-uk-lenders-clamp-down-on-spray-foam-insulation-should-irish-homeowners-avoid-it/

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122608574#Comment_122608574

Possibly the same article?

https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/aug/12/they-encouraged-us-to-insulate-our-home-now-its-unmortgageable

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122608574#Comment_122608574

It's saying basically think veeeeerrrryyyy long and hard before going down the sprayfoam between rafter route.

_BAA_RAM_EWE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609367#Comment_122609367

and pumping walls with beads…

curioustony

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609526#Comment_122609526

Do you have references or anecdotes for the beads?

MicktheMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122609526#Comment_122609526

No mention of pumping walls in the article