this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2025
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TL;DW: It's solid advice. Insulate the crap out of the space around the unit since the default spacers don't seal/insulate well and let a lot of outside air mix in. He just goes above and beyond how most people would do that.
I thought it was going to be something wacky like stick a magnet on it or something, but he shows how to use a plastic sheet, spray foam, and a foam insulation panel to make a good seal (without the spray foam getting stuck to everything) that also looks good. I've used pool noodles in the past, but this seems like it would insulate even better.
His method would work well, but using ~~spray~~ expanding foam in a finished interior space is something that I would not be comfortable to do. That stuff is so hard to contain and is permanent if it gets on anything that isn't expendable.
Just to clarify, he uses expanding foam which is much more manageable than spray foam.
You're right those are not synonymous terms. I was sloppy with my word choice.
And for the record I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I pictured the stuff that guys in protective suits spray between wall studs, and wanted to make sure you knew that's not what they used!
Yeah I would use a lot more protective material on around the unit, especially if renting or you're gunna lose that security deposit.