Adding
boiler pipe insulation could be your initiation to underground wrap culture. In addition to potential street cred, insulating
boiler pipes can save energy, reduce noise, and lower the likelihood pipes will break due to freezing. Think you're ready?
Add boiler pipe insulation with an R-value of at least 5. (An R-value measures how well a material stops heat flow; a higher R-value provides more insulation.)
Use high-temperature pipe insulation like fiberglass wrap if you have a steam boiler. If you have a hydronic or hot-water boiler, you might be able to use ordinary foam insulation depending on your boiler's operating temperatures—but check with a heating technician to decide the winner of this wrap battle.
If you think your boiler has asbestos pipe insulation (as old steam boilers often do), have a heating contractor do any pipe insulation work, and make sure proper procedures for working with asbestos are followed. The cost of a professional pipe insulation job varies based on the scope of work, pipe size, and insulation thickness and type. Typical average cost can be about $7.00 per lineal foot of pipe.
1. Check for existing boiler pipe insulation and see if it's wet or damaged. If so, it's ineffective and should be replaced or repaired.
2. Measure your boiler pipes to determine how much insulation you'll need.
3. Go to a hardware or plumbing supply store or shop online to purchase pipe insulation.
4. Read the manufacturer's warnings and instructions that came with it.
Important: Wear gloves and safety goggles before working on insulation, especially when working with fiberglass insulation.
5. Before you install the new pipe insulation, clean any grease or dirt off the pipes and let them dry.
6. Install the insulation according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Types of pipe insulation. There are different types of pipe insulation available, including insulating tapes and wraps, pipe sleeves, fiberglass, and foam rubber insulation. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the type of insulation you choose.
Cover the pipe completely. When insulating a pipe, be sure to cover the pipe completely with the insulation so that no areas of the pipe are exposed; this can help save energy.