One of the biggest energy losses in a home can be not insulating hot water pipes in unconditioned spaces.
When hot water pipes are not insulated and run through unfinished basements and especially crawl spaces, the temperature of the hot water decreases greatly. Don't belive me? Well go down in your basement or crawlspace and grab hold of that hot water pipe coming off your hot water heater (be careful not to burn yourself). Its hot! Really hot! All of the heat that you are feeling is heat that is escaping your hot water and the hot water pipe. If you install fiberglass pipe insulation on the same hot water pipes, you will again touch the outside of the insulation. Its not hot, not even warm if you use 1" thick fiberglass or above! All of that heat that was easily escaping the pipe is now being slowed down with the fiberglass insulation.
So how does fiberglass pipe insulation slow down the escape of heat in a hot water pipe?
This is a very common question, and is relatively simple. The same way your comforter or your blanket keept you warm, the pipe insulation keeps the heat on the pipe. Fiberglass pipe insulation does not create heat it only slows down the transfer of heat by trapping air and restricting airflow (same as a blanket).
Why not use foam pipe insulation, its really inexensive???
Foam pipe insulation is considered a residential only insulation that works well for condensation control on cold water pipes, but when it comes to higher temperature, some of the foam insulations on the market can release harmful chemicals when heated. They can also be a fire hazard if installed too close to a heat source.
Will Fiberglass Pipe Insulation Burn???
Most fiberglass pipe insulation manufacturers (in the USA) test their products up to 850F sometimes 1000F. These are maximum temperatures, but they do proove that fiberglass pipe insulation can withstand some serious high temperatures. Your hot water pipe that is maybe 200degrees, will not be a problem at all. This is glass we are talking about, I put glass trays in my oven at home at 450degrees with no worries of fire.
What brand of Fiberglass Pipe Insulation is the best???
The big 3 USA manufacturers of Fiberglass Pipe Insulation are Owens Corning, Knauf, and Johns Manville. Other brands include Manson (Canada made) and some foreign factories. Overall, sticking with a USA brand is always your best bet with making sure you are getting the highest quality material.
What thickness insulation should I use on my hot water pipes???
On smaller hot water pipes you may be able to use 1/2" thick and save enough energy. On most hot water pipes its safe to go with 1"+ thickness.
Where can I buy Fiberglass Pipe Insulation?
Finding local suppliers of pipe insulation can sometimes be tough especially in more rural parts of the country. If you can't find a local supplier, you can purchase fiberglass pipe insulation on the internet at http://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/
