Is this product, Nansulate, legit?

seahorse · Expert Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 2003 Location: Arkansas

There is a product called Nansulate, which is a type of paint, that supposedly will reduce air or heating bills from 20%-40%. Now, I know if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. However, over on the oildrum, a poster said he tried it and it works (posted under a natural gas thread). At any rate, I'm interested to hear if anyone else has any experience with it or has heard anything about it.

Here's the company website (it is a publicly traded company, penny stock).

Industrial Nanotech Inc

Ayoob · Expert Joined: Jul 15, 2004 Posts: 983

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Snake Oil.

seahorse · Expert Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 2003 Location: Arkansas

Yes, most probably. But for the guy's comments over at the Oildrum I would not be asking.

Don35 · Heavy Crude Joined: Feb 07, 2006 Posts: 106

It's possible it is a radiant barrier. There is a paint that has metal in it that reflects heat. I've read about radiant barriers (aka Nasa Wrap), and installed sheets of it in my attic. I haven't looked at this Nansulate.
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Ayoob · Expert Joined: Jul 15, 2004 Posts: 983

pstarr

Insulation is a function of dead air space (heat resistance), the reciprocal of the conductance. No 'miracle' spray paint is going to change that depth-based conductivity

nano shamno. eat your broccoli. fart

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PopeGideon · Heavy Crude Joined: Jan 25, 2008 Posts: 158

2 types of heat loss through walls.

1. Conductive.

2. Radiation that hits the wall, then 1.

Paint could theoretically limit 2 by reflecting IR back into room. Even if it was 100% effective, which is unlikely, you're still not talking 20%, IMO.

Conductive loss through wall is the main concern. Air molecules loss energy to paint, then to sheet rock, then to insulation, then to outside.

No paint is going to stop more than 1% conduction.

So the only question is, how much IR hits your walls and could be prevented from heating the wall, which then convects to the outside?

I'd guess not too much. Certainly 40% is a pipe dream.

RdSnt

As well, the effectiveness of any paint-on "sealer" is only as good as the substrate it is applied to.

How's the integrity of your vapour barrier, are the electrical outlets bagged, have the seams in the vapour barrier been sealed, are corners tight?
If the wind whistling through your kitchen counter electric outlets is ruffling your hair, paint isn't going to help you.
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Tanada

This sounds like the product I asked about a couple years ago...

http://www.peakoil.com/fortopic7884.html
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sandshark · Coal Joined: May 10, 2008 Posts: 2

All, I believe it's legit. I was also curious, and ordered some. I did a controlled experiment of my own. Not overly scientific, but still it was controlled.

Here's what I did:
One metal plate treated with Nansulate (3 coats), one uncoated.
I used an equidistant stand for both metal plates, above the same candle flame.
Placed one robust size droplet of water on the plate and waited until the heat had evaporated almost all of the drop.
Untreated plate took 85 seconds.
Treated plate took approx. 130 seconds.
I repeated the experiment, as I know the water droplets could have varied a bit in size, etc. SAME RESULT (give or take a few seconds).

Read the testimonials on the website, and watch the video. I was a bit skeptical, but my experiment had very similar results to what you'll see in the video on the website. I'm no bullshyter, I assure you.

Hence, I added/bought shares of this company. Sales are growing quite nicely (although still operating at a loss).

They also just launched an epoxy version, which is more suited to industry and OEM processes. Full lab testing data will be posted to their website this month (May 2008).
http://industrial-nanotech.com/

Feel free to respond. I'm "somewhat" knowledgeable about this company and product(s). I can also direct you to a better source of information if anyone is curious. FYI, PlaceMakers retail chain in New Zealand (similar to their version of home depot) is offering Nansulate now also. I verified this myself via PlaceMakers corporate office buyer who gave me the product names and SKU #.

NOTE: I've followed this company for a couple of years now, and trust me... myself and others have had our skeptical/scam glasses on. That's part of why I ordered some and tried it for myself. It works. Just also had my wooden beam ceilings coated as well, since the roof above doesn't have a space below it for any insulation.

sandshark · Coal Joined: May 10, 2008 Posts: 2

Here are two Nansulate demonstration videos:

Nansulate Regular (better for homes, as insulation):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0acDKa1e1C8

Nansulate EPX (epoxy version, better for industry due to quick cure time and ability to be applied to any thickness; hence R value forthcoming. K value is .027)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2CpX4OjMb4&NR=1

The_Virginian · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Jun 19, 2004 Posts: 1308

It's a PINK SHEETS company.

RUN , don't walk away.

new_2gunsfiring_v1

YOU READ IT ON THE OIL DRUM???

Here's a snipit from 2007:

"I deleted one comment. The reason I deleted it was that it looked like spam to me. (New poster, and the only comment he ever posted was a plug for a specific product, complete with link to commercial web site.)

We've decided to be a little more strict about commercial posts. We're getting a lot more traffic these days, which makes us more attractive to spammers...."

Leanan on October 28, 2007

ALSO:

"I reviewed the performance of a "nanotech" thermal coating used for an industrial application. While it worked well at reducing radiant heat losses (and would also probably work well at reducing radiant heat gains), it's actual conductive R-value was vastly worse than advertised. Had to resort back to good-old foam. Buyers beware."

drwater on October 28, 2007

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/3151 This scam has been played before on the Oil Drum!

AND:

"I tried a product marketed as a Radiant Barrier spray. You apply directly to the underside of the roof decking in the attic. Application is pretty simple with an airless paint sprayer. My results were dissapointing...."

markegg on October 28, 2007

I find it interesting that the big defender of this product is a new poster as well!
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TheDude

Oh yeah, caveat emptor big time. But if you're going to appeal to authority ZDNet favorably review it: Don’t insulate , Nansulate , says Florida cleantech company. Lots of authentic looking hits on both the web and Google News. They've been approved for use in the EU. It looks pretty bona fide.

Wonder if you could spray it on your skin during winter and walk around in the raw?

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