Insulating pipes might seem like a simple home improvement project, but doing so properly can have dramatic benefits that go far beyond energy savings and savings. Insulation also protects plumbing against condensation build-up that may threaten its lifespan and poses health hazards.
Pipe insulation helps your plumbing operate more efficiently by minimizing heat loss from hot water to cold air and vice versa. Insulation prevents this process and ensures its smooth running.
Glass Fiber Pipe Insulation
Fibreglass pipe insulation wrap is one of the most widely-used industrial insulating materials on the market today, offering superior heat and sound insulation, moisture resistance and corrosion prevention from corrosive substances. It’s especially well suited for use with water systems such as those providing hot water, steam or heating.
Pre-molded insulation made of noncombustible glass fibers bound together with thermosetting resin forms cylindrical insulation sections. Available with foil facing or kraft paper facings, it serves as an effective thermal insulating product suitable for hot and cold service piping operating at temperatures ranging from -20degF to 1000degF.
Cutting and installing insulation tubes is simple. Simply ensure your pipes are free from dirt or debris before measuring their outer diameter to make sure the insulators fits perfectly – the product page contains a pipe size chart which should give an indication of which size to buy.
Elastomeric Pipe Insulation
Flexible closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation is an increasingly popular choice for cold pipe systems like refrigeration, chilled water and domestic cold water distribution systems. Additionally, this form of insulation is frequently employed in process control applications to protect pipes from freezing over and prevent freezing occurring.
National model energy standards and codes such as ASHRAE 90.1 require process piping to be adequately insulated. Closed-cell elastomeric foam insulation effectively manages condensation, fire safety, freeze protection, unwanted noise pollution while conserving energy and meeting vapor retarder requirements.
Closed-cell foam insulation is easy to install and versatile enough for tubular, sheet, or roll applications. Available with or without vapor retarders depending on application and operating temperature range requirements for pipes; typically fitted over copper and iron pipe outside diameters (OD), insulation ID’s are often slightly larger to ensure snug fitting – this allows longitudinal seams, butt joints, termination points to be sealed using contact adhesive – thus eliminating the need for separate vapor retarders/jackets altogether.
Polyethylene Hot Water Pipe Insulation
Pipe insulation is an affordable, straightforward DIY project that can save energy and money in both homes and commercial properties. Insulating pipes prevents heat transfer between hot water sources and the atmosphere, thus decreasing energy costs and heating bills while eliminating condensation and stopping leaky cold pipes in unheated spaces like basements from dripping water dribbles.
Insulation material used on pipes should be specifically selected to fit within their system, with energy codes not making distinctions based on pipe base material or wall material since their effects on total thermal resistance of an insulated system are relatively minor.
Insulating water supply pipes located in exposed locations is particularly essential in cold climates. Without insulation, pipes are susceptible to freezing and burst, leading to costly water damage and property loss. Insulating is a relatively affordable investment that will quickly pay for itself in reduced energy costs and potential savings related to repairs from water damage repair costs.
Rigid Pipe Insulation
Insulating plumbing pipes is an easy and cost-effective way to protect them against costly mechanical failure due to condensation and extreme temperatures. Closed-cell phenolic foam insulation like ArmaFlex offers nearly impermeable protection, with an extremely low permeability rating, to help control condensation that would otherwise corrode pipe surfaces and increase costs for mechanical failures.
Rigid pipe insulation for cold pipes offers significant energy savings by blocking heat transfer through its thickness. Compared with flexible insulation, rigid foam requires no additional waterproof barriers and requires fewer insulation accessories to achieve comparable energy savings.
PermaTherm offers an extensive selection of Polyiso closed-cell rigid foam insulation. Available in various densities and thicknesses, it comes supplied in large buns for fabrication into pipe insulation segments or coverings shaped as required, tank and vessel coverings or tank and vessel covers – noncombustible with superior resistance against chemicals, corrosion insects animals mold. Perfect for chemical and hydrocarbon processing systems cryogenic systems heating cooling systems hot oil gas storage tanks as well as above grade steam and chilled water lines.