Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Topic: Improving energy efficiency in your coach (Read 3144 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #25 – August 12, 2011, 04:01:04 pm

I concur with Dave. Double bubble from Home Depot is the cheapest, simplest and most effective way of assisting the a/c's and heater in a coach.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #26 – August 12, 2011, 11:49:46 pm

Our GV faces south so we get sun all morning and then about 2:00PM sun on the west side.
Coach is primarily white so it reflects well. I had some aluminized bubble wrap (aluminum on both sides) so I cut two pieces to fit up against the windshield then closed the curtains. I then cut a piece for each side window and hung them on the unused traverse rods. Tremendous reduction in heat penetration. Even tho we are not experiencing the 100+ temps here it has still gotten up in the 90s.
I am contemplating cutting sheets of this same material to fit between the awning arms and the coach. This should stop the heat before even getting inside and yet be easily rolled up for storage. Quite cheap but easily made and/or replaced. Edge each sheet with a colorful duct tape and you would have a unique looking and yet functional sun/heat shade.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #27 – August 13, 2011, 12:52:33 am

We spent a summer in El Centro, CA once. Never again. Our Foretravel faced South. I'm pretty sure that's what cracked the driver's side windshield.

So insulate the OUTSIDE of you windshield, too, if you're facing South.

best, paul

Quote

Our GV faces south so we get sun all morning and then about 2:00PM sun on the west side.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #28 – August 13, 2011, 07:54:16 am

I'm still working on the windshield cover idea. My difficulty is I have the male snaps on each side but do not have any way to reach them unless I carry a ladder along.

I will come up with something.

By the way, If the window awnings are opened just enough to push the insulated material up behind the roll it will hold the stuff in place.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #29 – August 13, 2011, 08:46:59 am

I had some leftover Reflectix material - just enough to cover the front windshield and side windows. It works great as a sunshield, but my jury rigging didn't hold up well against a violent thunderstorm. Have reattached it for now, but it is a nuisance getting it up there. Definitely need a ladder.

Would love to see an exterior windshield shade that rolls up or to the side like an awning, that could easily be deployed once parked. Having put that Reflectix up reduced inside temps considerably, so I definitely have to have a sunshade now. Will probably end up making something myself.

Steve

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #30 – August 13, 2011, 08:53:15 am

I'll ditto the aluminum bubble wrap, we were stranded in Wichita for four days in 100+ heat with only the rear AC. We cut the stuff to fit windows and put it behind the shades, amazing how much heat It reflected. I bought two rolls of it at Home Depot for 22 bucks or so. I already had a windshield piece that we always use behind the drapes to reflect heat. BTW you will find it in the INSULATION section, I had two clerks looking for it til we found it.
Gary B

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #31 – August 13, 2011, 11:00:57 am

Quote from: nitehawk – August 13, 2011, 07:54:16 am

I'm still working on the windshield cover idea. My difficulty is I have the male snaps on each side but do not have any way to reach them unless I carry a ladder along.

I will come up with something.

By the way, If the window awnings are opened just enough to push the insulated material up behind the roll it will hold the stuff in place.

Two additional tips for the Grand Villa -

Along with covering the side windows and windshield, put bubble insulation up inside the front and side overhead cabinets and behind the TV if possible. There is very little insulation up there and the bubble stuff really helps cut down the solar heating in the coach. I think it will help in the winter as well.

As far as the windshield cover, on my 225 I stood on the bumper to connect the top center snap, laid the mesh cover over the extended windshield wipers, climbed down and laid the covers over the rear view mirrors. I would then go inside the coach and reach out the windows to connect the upper side snaps. Finally I would go back out and and attach the three bottom snaps. It really was pretty easy. On our current U300 the windshield cover is attached from the inside with velcro. It is a three piece cover and actually takes more time to attach but there is no climbing up on a bumper or contortions required while reaching out the windows. Both methods work OK.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #32 – August 13, 2011, 11:29:46 am

Kent, thanks for the suggestions re insulating the overhead cabinets. Will do.

When it comes to the windshield cover--I do not have any snaps above the windshield, only one bottom center and two on each side behind the side windows. Even if I did have one top center I could not reach it by standing on the bumper. Unlike you I am vertically challenged and therefore could not reach it. Also, being somewhat of a klutz and not having a "Steve" handy I would probably fall off and hurt something I need. The back seems to be getting worse and not better so I have to come up with something that will not aggravate it or that the DW could install/remove.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #33 – August 13, 2011, 11:55:00 am

Quote from: Kent Speers – August 13, 2011, 11:00:57 am

... Two additional tips for the Grand Villa -

Along with covering the side windows and windshield, put bubble insulation up inside the front and side overhead cabinets and behind the TV if possible. There is very little insulation up there and the bubble stuff really helps cut down the solar heating in the coach. I think it will help in the winter as well.
...

I expect that insulation would work well in a Unicoach as well. Our U295 accepts a LOT of heat from the area behind the A/V components. I don't recall seeing any insulation in that area when I had it open.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #34 – August 14, 2011, 09:08:06 pm

Quote from: Merle Hench – August 13, 2011, 08:46:59 am

I had some leftover Reflectix material - just enough to cover the front windshield and side windows. It works great as a sunshield, but my jury rigging didn't hold up well against a violent thunderstorm. Have reattached it for now, but it is a nuisance getting it up there. Definitely need a ladder.

Would love to see an exterior windshield shade that rolls up or to the side like an awning, that could easily be deployed once parked. Having put that Reflectix up reduced inside temps considerably, so I definitely have to have a sunshade now. Will probably end up making something myself.

Steve

I don't have Reflectix, but I did put the sun shade material on the inside. Much easier to install and I did the whole coach.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #35 – August 20, 2011, 12:38:32 am

In NM recently, where ambient temp was quite cool, the sun still got pretty hot in afternoon and back in Texas it is even more so. Anyway, I got some of the aluminum shades ($5 wal-mart) and places them on the front windows, inside, and held them in place by the electric shades (i.e. on inside, not out). Do any of you think this is a potential danger to the windows, causing some type of overheating and breaking glass or harming glue or such? It gets the windows really hot. I even did this on side windows, using the day shades to hold the aluminum shades in place and the temp of the windows went well above 120 degrees....but they only cooled a little when I removed the aluminum shades. Nonetheless, there was an odor of heat that made me think this might not be such a good idea so I quit. ideas, suggestions or warnings? I need to do something in Texas summer!

Mike

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #36 – August 20, 2011, 12:51:42 am

A few years ago we spent a Summer in El Centro, CA. Our 1997 U295 faced South. The driver's windshield developed a foot long crack in the lower left. The crack eventually grew to the full height of the windshield.
All I could figure is the hot El Centro Summer did it: 110 to 115 was pretty common.
A local joke goes as follows. They were hiring for president of a local college. One observer suggested they, "Interview candidates in the Summer and if they don't self-combust, hire them!"

best, paul

Quote

In NM recently, where ambient temp was quite cool, the sun still got pretty hot in afternoon and back in Texas it is even more so. Anyway, I got some of the aluminum shades ($5 wal-mart) and places them on the front windows, inside, and held them in place by the electric shades (i.e. on inside, not out). Do any of you think this is a potential danger to the windows, causing some type of overheating and breaking glass or harming glue or such? It gets the windows really hot.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #37 – August 20, 2011, 12:55:15 am

Quote from: Nutravlr – August 20, 2011, 12:38:32 am

In NM recently, where ambient temp was quite cool, the sun still got pretty hot in afternoon and back in Texas it is even more so. Anyway, I got some of the aluminum shades ($5 wal-mart) and places them on the front windows, inside, and held them in place by the electric shades (i.e. on inside, not out). Do any of you think this is a potential danger to the windows, causing some type of overheating and breaking glass or harming glue or such? It gets the windows really hot. I even did this on side windows, using the day shades to hold the aluminum shades in place and the temp of the windows went well above 120 degrees....but they only cooled a little when I removed the aluminum shades. Nonetheless, there was an odor of heat that made me think this might not be such a good idea so I quit. ideas, suggestions or warnings? I need to do something in Texas summer!

Mike

Mike,
I have been using those aluminum shades on the side windows for many months now.
Taking them out rarely for light if the sun is not on that side.
It has dramatically reduced the heat in this coach which is always to hot for me due to the dark paint.
Even the A/c cannot keep up in that heat.
I have not thought of using them behind the electric windshield shades where the heat is the worst.
I will be trying that now.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #38 – August 20, 2011, 03:31:25 pm

Greetings,

For giggles, today I took my infrared thermometer and took some temperature readings outside and inside the coach. Some of the numbers surprised me (all numbers in Fahrenheit degrees).

Ambient - 84.5, 69% humidity (yuck), UV index - very high
Asphalt driveway - 135.6

The coach was closed up due to thunderstorms last night, although both vents were open. My makeshift Reflectix windshield cover was in place, and all the awnings were up when I came out at 1:30 pm. The afternoon sun hits the front driver's side late morning, then slides across to cover all the driver's side and roof. The passenger side never gets direct sun.

Outside of single pane windows - 108 to 110 in the sun, ambient in the shade
Outside of coach - in the sun - ivory color - 107 to 112, dark gold color - 122 to 130.
Inside temps - 86.6 - I was surprised, given the awnings were up. That windshield cover really makes a major difference. And this was with the windows all closed.
Kitchen vent opening (inside cover is off at the moment) - 106
Bathroom vent opening (1/2 open) - 105
Inside of skylight - 130!!! I knew it got hot, but this is ridiculous. Going to cover that with some Home Depot bubble and figure something out. I like the light and the headroom, but the heat loss and gain is nuts.
Ceiling temps - front cap - 86.4, main coach - 92.4, rear cap 85.1 - I find this interesting, as the caps don't really have any insulation in them.

Lastly, I climbed up to get roof temps. The roof is dirty, and there is no gelcoat left to speak of. Temps ranged from 130 to 140. Higher than I expected. Hotter in spots than the black asphalt driveway. Interesting.

Yesterday I ordered seam tape and an EPDM coating for the roof. The coating has a reflectivity of 92%, so will see just how much cooler the roof and inside turn out to be after I'm done applying it (this week, schedule and weather permitting).

Spent a lot of time researching roof coatings and calling manufacturers. In the end, I chose Polycoatings RV Roof EPDM reflective coating --> RV Roof Repair Motorhome Roof Coating | Palycoatings International . A maintenance free roof (aside from cleaning) for 20 years appeals to me.

. I'll let ya know how it turns out.

Steve

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #39 – September 13, 2011, 09:22:27 pm

It has been some time since posts to this topic but some recent information and discussions with Extreme Graphics, and a look at some RVs out in the sun today in Nac at 104 degrees, emphasized the role of coach color. Ours is brown, and seems not good for Texas summer. Not only does it heat more than the white coaches, it is hard on the paint. Need to keep it clean, waxed. Perhaps others disagree with importance of color, but seemed valid today.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #40 – September 13, 2011, 10:23:39 pm

Quite right but also seasonal. Flat white reflects better than anything but come fall and winter, your brown means less propane burned.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #41 – September 14, 2011, 06:10:04 am

Skin temp difference on my coach between the whitish color and the green/gold at the bottom, while in the sun, runs about 15 to 20 degrees, using an IR thermometer.

I've completed the roof renovation using the EPDM coating. Big difference in roof temps. The roof now feels no more than warm to the touch when in the sun. Contrast that with the 135 to 140 degrees measured prior to coating. Posted a thread in the Renovations section titled "DIY Roof Renovation" with details and pics.

Will see what happens when it gets cooler.

Steve

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #42 – September 14, 2011, 10:37:27 am

Quote from: Nutravlr – September 13, 2011, 09:22:27 pm

... a look at some RVs out in the sun today in Nac at 104 degrees, emphasized the role of coach color. Ours is brown, and seems not good for Texas summer. Not only does it heat more than the white coaches, it is hard on the paint. Need to keep it clean, waxed. Perhaps others disagree with importance of color, but seemed valid today.

Mike, we also agree about the importance of exterior coach color - but a couple of additions have helped to keep the interior much cooler as we've been full-timing in warmer climates than we planned (we've had to stay near Tucson this summer while building our winter home):

a) exterior sunshades (see my post: new sunshades - what a difference!)

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b) Hella fans in the bedroom - we don't have a ceiling fan in our U295 (see George's post: Hella Fans in the bedroom)

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Can't say enough about how these two additions have made life much more comfortable in the heat!

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #43 – September 14, 2011, 04:58:05 pm

We had the aluminized bubble material in the windshield on the inside of the glass held up by our sun screens all summer in this Oklahoma Heat with no windshield problems. Keep in mind we were living in the coach so the A/C was running all of the time which would mitigate the heat buildup on the windshield glass. The coach was also pointed east so the windshield didn't get mid day and afternoon sun.

Regarding the sky light in the bathroom, I purchased a 4' X 8' sheet of 1/2" bead board/Styrofoam, the smallest I could find, with an aluminum coating one side at Lowes for under $5.00. I cut out a piece that fitted snugly in the sky light opening. It has been in all year with no fasteners. It lets in about 40% of the light and reduces the heat by about 70%. If I want to take it out for more light or heat I just grab it with a bent paper clip and pull it down. It goes back just as easily.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #44 – September 14, 2011, 08:46:47 pm

How do you get your "bent paper clip" up that far

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #45 – September 14, 2011, 11:36:39 pm

Quote from: Patricia – September 14, 2011, 10:37:27 am

a) exterior sunshades (see my post: new sunshades - what a difference!)

I did interior sunshades. Made my own from SunShade material I purchased at Home Depot. Used both Scotch All Weather Fasteners and suction cups designed for interior sunshades. Did the whole coach for about $35. Hit a deal last week and found the same material at Wallyworld at under half price - only $11.00. Brought another 26 x 6 foot roll and am going to make UV covers for the wheel wells.
Here is what the Scotch All Weather Fasteners look like.http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/mediawebserver?mwsId=SSSSSu7zK1fslxtUOx_UM8_9ev7qeChshvTSevTSeSSSSSS--&fn=RFD7090_rgb.jpg

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #46 – September 15, 2011, 10:56:17 am

Quote from: Bill Chaplin – September 14, 2011, 08:46:47 pm

How do you get your "bent paper clip" up that far

Bill, since it's you I'm sure there is some humor here that I'm missing but I am still heavily sedated so give me some slack when I come back with a straight reply. When you are tall enough that your head is in the sky light, it is not too hard to reach the plug with a paper clip.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #47 – September 15, 2011, 11:14:02 am

Was that "in the skylight" or in the clouds?

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #48 – September 15, 2011, 12:26:27 pm

Quote from: Kent Speers – September 15, 2011, 10:56:17 am

... head is in the sky light ...

Not a really bad place for your head to be. The sun does shine there.

Marilyn and I are neither very tall. In a coach, that can be a pretty good situation because everything seems relatively larger and more spacious.

Re: Improving energy efficiency in your coach

Reply #49 – September 15, 2011, 12:28:56 pm

Those that have had the pleasure of meeting me in person as well as those more astute forum members will tell you that the clouds, always, as well as the skylight when showering

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