Any Ways To Improve Skirt/shell Insulation?

[pkillur]

So, I would love real science answers to this question as well as anectdotal answers (which is probably what most of us have...)

I have a 2005 (or 6, can't remember) Windriver Hurricane, and it's insulated with really thick foam (not full foam cabinet though) and insulated with boards of styrofoam around the frame, that are then covered with plastic on three sides (equip side is not covered). It also has vents towards the top of the skirt on the equip side (which is the entrance side also - I think that is standard??). It would seem to me that this is more efficient than nothing up against the wood, but seems lacking to me. Wouldn't it be possible for a draft to develop through the vents, thus negating parts of the dead insulation, making it not dead air?? I would think it's better to seal off the non-equipment three sides?

I have seen posts of people using this type of foam, but I've also seen other spa manufacturers use foam chunks (h2o spas) and some people use packing peanuts. Wouldn't this break down the flow of air inside the chamber and increase the insulation? Other than overheating, is this a good plan or just pointless? I want to increase the insulation on my spa to try and do what I can to shave a few bucks off the bill each month.

My first thought would be regular old insulation, but that seems like a bad choice, as does mineral wool, because I think they both are mold / microbe friendly places. Chunks / sheets of closed cell foam would seem like a good choice, but I might just spend my savings for a few years to fill up the cavity. So my next thoughts were styrofoam and plasticized packing materials (packing peanuts, computer cradles, etc). I'm a network engineer so I see a ton of this crap on a weekly basis AND we chuck it, so I wouldn't be spending anything to get it. But is it a waste of time? What do you guys think? Also, what about the equipment side? I read on a few posts not to heavily insulate so that the equipment doesn't overheat.

[ps558]

Is your equipment sectioned off from the rest of the spa? The vents should be to vent the heat generated by the jet pumps running. What ever insulation you use make sure it will not soak up water. I personally would not add insulation. By the time the pumps start to give out from getting to warm your done. They won't last long. If your equipment is not sectioned off you can try to put a shroud in behind it with some insulated foam board. again you will have to keep a eye on things

[pkillur]

Is your equipment sectioned off from the rest of the spa? The vents should be to vent the heat generated by the jet pumps running. What ever insulation you use make sure it will not soak up water. I personally would not add insulation. By the time the pumps start to give out from getting to warm your done. They won't last long. If your equipment is not sectioned off you can try to put a shroud in behind it with some insulated foam board. again you will have to keep a eye on things

I was thinking about something similar to this, to seal off the area that has the equipment - around 84" X 36" X 2"-20". But is that enough space as far as air goes? I would think it'd be OK because of the vents, I could also put a puncture in the bottom of the skirt and band some foam together in the back to seal it off. I was thinking something similar to this:

F...../----------------------------------\.....F

O ../ ==vent== ...........==vent==\...O

A ./ ..............................................\..A

M /................. {circ + heat}...........\.M

.../..{pump1} ...|panel|....{pump2}..\..

Sorry for dots - it gets gobbled up when I post it - So much for the days of ASCII art!