Can You Insulate a Dishwasher?
The dishwasher when in operation can produce a lot of noise that interferes with other activities in the house.
Considering that a cycle can take anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour, it can be a great inconvenience.
To overcome this, you can insulate a dishwasher.
Although the manufacturers put in place insulation, you can add a layer to minimize noise and protect the surrounding from vibration, heat steam, and water.
Another reason that you may consider insulating the dishwasher is to replace the worn-out insulation.
The insulation material wears out with time and it becomes apparent when the vibration and noise levels increase
To identify how best to insulate your dishwasher, examine the design and the method of installation.
This will enable you to identify the space available and which type of insulation to use.
For built-in dishwashers, you’ll have to remove the dishwasher from the cabinet.
Why Do You Need Insulation Around a Dishwasher?
Several activities take place while the dishwasher is running. These activities produce heat, noise, and water.
The insulation material around the dishwasher prevents these from interfering with the surrounding.
The dishwasher insulation aids in;
1. Noise Reduction
When the dishwasher is on, noise is produced from the water running through the inlet.
There’s also a humming noise from the motor as it distributes the water to the rest of the dishwasher.
All these sounds are muffled by the insulation around the dishwasher. The noises are less likely to interfere with activities around the house.
2. Minimize Vibration
Dishwashers feature a filtration system that prevents food particles from the dishes from clogging the machine.
When large chunks land on the filters there’s a high vibrating sound produced.
Even though the noise dies down when the chunks are ground, the vibration is less distracting with the insulation on.
3. Steam and Water Protection
Dishwashers utilize hot water in the various cleaning cycles.
The insulation prevents the water and steam from getting to the Cabinets and floor surrounding the dishwasher.
The build-up of water around the dishwasher may cause water damage such as mold, mildew, and dishwasher smells that may be expensive to remedy.
Even though water leakages might be from other sections of the dishwasher, insulation as a preventative measure is crucial.
4. Heat Management
The heat from a dishwashing machine is produced by the heating element.
The heating element works to increase the temperature of the water and sanitize the dishwasher.
It also aids when drying the dishes depending on the system in place. Dishwasher insulation minimizes the spread of heat from the dishwasher surface.
Types of Dishwasher Insulation
Insulation for dishwashers comes in a variety of materials.
Some people choose to insulate their dishwashers with foam boards because they are lightweight and inexpensive.
There are many different types of dishwasher insulation each with its pros and cons.
Common Insulation dishwasher insulation includes the following;
Fiberglass
Fiberglass insulation is a very inexpensive material.
It’s also lighter, so installing it on the upper and lower sides of dishwasher doors can help with balance issues when opening them.
However, fiberglass has poor thermal insulating properties – meaning that heat will escape through it easily.
For this reason, you should install fiberglass insulation on the door but not against any part of the dishwasher you want to keep warm.
Foam
Foam is another inexpensive material that’s easy to install and provides a good balance between noise reduction, thermal resistance, and lightweight.
It also has some air leakage protection properties which can help with heat retention in areas like the door seal.
Unfortunately, foam is the least efficient when it comes to thermal resistance.
If you’re looking for an affordable option that will still keep your dishwasher warm and quiet, this might be right up your alley.
They can’t fit into tight spaces like door handles, so consider doing a double layer along the bottom to compensate.
Polyurethane Insulation
Polyurethane insulation is very expensive but it has the best thermal resistance properties.
If you’re looking for a dishwasher that will stay warm and noise-free, this is your top choice.
It’s also relatively easy to install as long as the walls are flat and you don’t have any obstructions like handles or water-lever switches.
Blankets
Insulation blankets are a good choice if the surrounding wall can’t accommodate anything else.
However, they’re heavy and bulky and take up more space than other materials.
They also offer less resistance to air leakage which means that walls will need to be sealed with a vapor barrier.
Insulation blankets are the most expensive but also offer excellent thermal resistance.
They’re typically made with fiberglass insulation, which is less dense than polystyrene.
Insulation Panels
Insulated panels are typically made of expanded polystyrene.
They offer excellent thermal resistance without taking up too much space in tight spaces like door handles or around water-level switches.
The downside is that they’re more expensive than foam insulation but can be worth the investment if you plan on making your dishwasher more efficient.
Dishwasher Insulation Alternatives
If you’re looking for other ways to insulate the dishwasher without having to spend much, there are alternative methods you can use.
They include;
· Use towels, blankets, and clothing material in the house.
Depending on the space available around the dishwasher, trim the chosen piece to fit the area.
Once you’ve covered the dishwashing machine, secure it to prevent movement when the machine is running.
· Opt to close off the room where the dishwasher is.
If the primary reason to insulate the dishwasher is to soundproof, you can close off the kitchen area to prevent the noise from reaching the other sections of the house.
Make use of blockers, stripping tapes, and non-porous materials.
This option is only applicable to homes with separate rooms and not open floor plans.
· Replace your Dishwasher
When the insulation does not seem to work, the other alternative is to replace it with a less noisy alternative.
It’s important to conduct thorough research or seek recommendations for quiet dishwasher options.
Conclusion
You can quickly and easily add insulation to your dishwasher if the current insulation is inadequate or worn out.
Dishwasher insulation aids in minimizing the noise produced, vibration, water, and heat protection.
There are a variety of options when it comes to insulation type.
Choose dishwasher insulation depending on the issue you’re looking to curb.
Also, ensure that your dishwasher has adequate space to accommodate the insulation.
