[Greenbuilding] Dense pack cellulose

[LarenCorie]

From: "Ken Beiser" <kbeiser at centurytel.net>

> Is it possible for me to dense pack the cellulose using the blower available 
> at Home Depot?

Hi Ken;

  That will depend on the type of cellulose the particular HD store
sells. If they sell Regal, then they should have PredatorII machines,
and probably have the special insert for the hopper, and the nozzle,
that are desgin specifically for that machine to dense pack cellulose.
However, I have had a recent experience, with a design client, who
used such a machine, using the single hole, long tube technique, and
did not get adequate levels of packing.    On the other hand, I have 
used the same type of machine,    using the multiple hole technique,
where it fills until the hose twitches from beginning to clog, and I did
get proper fill rates.    My client tried my way, and after a few clogs
gave up.  It takes developing a feel for it.      If you do not pack the
wall to the point where the hose is first beginning to clog, then you
simply are not packing the walls adequately. That said, the answer
to the question is yes, you can dense pack with their machines, but
only if you do it right.  I wrote a fairly detailed article about how to
do it, for the August 2005 edition of the Energy Self-Sufficiency
Newsletter, which can be found at www.rebelwolf.com 

>  If placing the cellulose in a cavity from above, can I even place
> it "by hand" and achieve the results I am after (higher R-value
> and less convection and moisture transport)?

Not, and get the best result. You see, the blowing air seek out
the leaks in the wall.  If the air is not blowing the insulation, or
the top is open, then there is no air pressure to blow through
the cracks, carrying the cellulose to stop them up. So, if you
hand place the cellulose, you not only work a lot harder than
you have to, you also do a bad job.

-Laren Corie-
Natural Solar Building Design Since 1975
www.ThermalAttic.com

Read my Solar house design articles in:
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www.rebelwolf.com

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