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Cave heating

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:33 pm
by johngarnett
Now the mercury has dropped may I ask what has been found to be the most effective heating in The Cave.
I have a single block cave as part of the garage. I have insulated the roof with polystyrene. The windows are coverd with polystyrene boards to further insulate and obscure. The volume is approx. 6' x 12' x 9'. So far I have a 180w tubular wall heater on all the time and when really cold I leave a finned oil radiator on with thermostat pretty low. This works well but is there anything better please?

The safes feel like chillers and the guns...... aaarggh

Any thoughts please people.

Thank you

JohnG :cornwall:

Re: Cave heating

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:04 pm
by Polchraine
The floor !

I would guess you are on a concrete slab. If so, put down some 40mm battens on a DP membrane and fill between them with Celotex/Kingspan/similar (or even cheap rockwool). 18mm ply over that and see what a difference it makes.

Re: Cave heating

Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:31 pm
by ukrifleman
If you are on a concrete floor, even a piece of cheap carpet will make a difference

Re: Cave heating

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 7:19 am
by ovenpaa
We use this sort of thing in the workshop over concrete and sheet chalk. They do insulate your feet from the cold, isolate swarf and dirt and are easily moved for cleaning.

Image

Re: Cave heating

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 9:47 am
by Polchraine
A mat or carpet will make it fell warm under foot but there is still a need to isolate or insulate from the massive cold thermal mass.

Re: Cave heating

Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2020 10:28 am
by johngarnett
Thank you all. Yes, I do have floor insulation from the rest of Cornwall! Rubber matting with knobbles to keep off the floor.
Heating wise, I have resorted to my finned oil filled radiator. At least it's warming up now!!
Thank you for help.
JohnG