Meter cupboard heat loss - how to insulate

MiserlyMartin

Hi

I noticed last winter that I definately have a cold spot in the hall just on the wall on the other side of the gas and electricity meter cupboard. This is a large cupboard that you can walk into from the outside draughty wooden door. I've worked out the reason for this... I've seen that they breached the cavity when they built this house, as all that stands between the back of the cupboard and the inside of the house is one layer of breeze block then house internal plaster!

How could I insulate this without getting in the way of the meters too much and what would be a good material to use?

I thought about a cans of polyurthane foam but this may be expensive... no idea how many cans I would need - it is a cupboard about the size of a front door. Or loft insulation material, but I can't think how I would fit it around the meters or stick it to the walls.

Has anyone any ideas or has even done this? I think people often think about lofts and walls but forget the exposed outside meter, and lots of houses must have one built into the cavity wall. Any suggestions please?

mackemdave

Try blocks of polystyrene

grizzly1911

You can buy insulation material in solid slabs that you can cut to fit. Hold it in place with some wooden battens.

anotherbaldrick

grizzly1911 wrote: »

You can buy insulation material in solid slabs that you can cut to fit. Hold it in place with some wooden battens.

Or, once you have temporarily held the insultion in place with battens finish off with a sheet of plasterboard which you can cut to fit around the meters.

lemontart

are any gas pipes in the cavity

lemontart

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Or, once you have temporarily held the insultion in place with battens finish off with a sheet of plasterboard which you can cut to fit around the meters.

Be careful as if you enclose the control handle to gas meter you will be breaking gas regulations - best seek professional advice on site first.

ormus

i would use rockwool. keep it in place using something like chicken wire.

Andy_L

Thinking laterally, would it be easier to insulate & draft proof the door instead, thus coming no where near the meters & pipes?

MiserlyMartin

Thanks guys I insulated the door with foam strip and the cupboard as best as I could. I did have to take care with not putting too much insulation near the gas meter so access to the handle wasn't impeded

jjpearce05

I originally used celotex on my internal meter cupboard door - I have now scrapped that as it was too thick - I bought a custom cut size of aerogel at 9mm thick which although a little pricey, is very effective

MiserlyMartin

Interesting, I had not heard of Aerogel. Hi-tech NASA stuff, where did you get it from and how much was it if you don't mind me asking?