Refrigeration Insulation

[col blumson]

There is a bit of talk of new wonder insulation? however i can not find out the real facts.
The other question is, if urethane foam is the go what thickness? The domestic refrigerator has only about 50mm of wall but with out cutting the misses new frig open I wonder what is its insulation? Any help would be great. I want to build into my boat a frig / freezer.
Many thanks Col

[roverhi]

Thttp://www.glacierbaytechnology.com/category/insulation/ultra-r-thermal-insulation/
This is the most efficient insulation product that I'm aware of. It really works but is really really expensive.

The usual choice is the pink insulation board available at Home Depot/Lowes. Takes about 4 inches for an efficient refrigerator box or 6" for a freezer. Foil facing and keeping water away from the insulation will keep the efficiency at a high level. Stuff works but takes up a lot of space.

[capt_douglas]

In most cases, the fridge/freezer are the biggest consumers of energy aboard a boat and anything you can do to cut that down is money in your pocket. Most fridge brochures reccommend an equivalent insulation thickness. If you don't have the physical space for the cheaper, lower R-value insulation, you may have to go to the higher R-value stuff to meet the insulation requirements.

I don't know of a reason you you couldn't mix and match insulation, but the more the better, the most seems to go on the bottom of the fridge compartment, a vapor barrier is highly recommended, and an air tight, insulated top is always a good idea.