Heat sink ?

[Mikey N.C.]

  was wondering if everyone in cold climates.  Use the same overwintering techniques. As far as using tar paper,  was wondering if ya could use aluminum as some type of a heat sink ? ?
Around the hive as a conductor

[LazyBkpr]

The tar paper is basically for thermal gain, its not for insulation. It gives the bees a few more days during cold temps that they can break cluster and move up, or to the side etc to get to honey reserves. About anything you painted black and wrapped the hive with would work.

[Mikey N.C.]

A conductor of radiant heat ?

[robo]

Heat can be transferred in three methods - Conduction, Convection and Radiation.

A heat sink works on the conduction method and unlike an electrical diode,  it works in both directions.  So although you can get heat from the sun when it warms the heat sink, when the sun is not out,  it would suck heat out of the hive.

[Mikey N.C.]

Thanks ,  wasn't thinking of cool down period. What happens if  you use sealed 1/2 or 1/4 inch air gap that is sealed shut .on outside.? 

[Mikey N.C.]

Like the Mickey Mouse boots gov.  Issued back in the day ?

[robo]

Yes,  air gaps work well with insulation, not with conductors.   With certain insulation in certain configurations,  you can double the R-value of the material with an air gap.