Hot water is a must have in most commercial establishments. It can be used for production purposes, in the bathroom, commercial laundry rooms, kitchens and other areas. Insulating hot water pipes in your facility is an essential step in improving the efficiency of your hot water system. What's more, it protects pipes from freezing and prevents heat loss during the winter, a problem that could significantly increase the heating costs in your facility. So as you consider insulating your pipes, here are three tips that will help you get the best value from the newly insulated pipes.
Choose the best material
Pipe insulation is available in various types of materials. These include rubber, polyethylene foam and fibreglass. Rubber insulation is available in tubular form, and it is a highly durable and energy-efficient material for use on hot water pipes. What's more, it expands and contracts with temperature changes, and this protects it from wearing out due to excess pressure from the pipes. Polyethylene foam is also a tubular material that is just as durable as rubber. However, it does not expand and contract with changes in temperatures. Fibreglass is an easy to use and economical insulation material. It is used together with plastic wrap that creates a vapour barrier and improves the efficiency of the material.
All of these options are great for hot water pipe insulation. Assess your budget to determine the best option that will be suitable for your facility.
Ensure adequate sealing
Proper sealing of the insulation system is paramount to increasing the efficiency of the material. During installation, make sure that all the areas, including the joints, intersections and terminated points are appropriately sealed to prevent heat loss. Proper sealing also prevents condensation between the pipes and the insulating material. Make use of quality insulation tape to seal any points through which moisture or air can enter. Do not rely on duct tape or zip ties to adequately seal the insulation system as these may end up failing within a short period.
Account for expansion and contraction
Some insulation materials such as rubber expand and contract with changes in temperature. Therefore, you have to account for this when sizing and installing the material. When using fibreglass and polyethylene, you don't have to worry about this. However, with rubber, you need to increase the size of the material; it should be a little longer than the pipe. This way, when the insulation expands and contracts, it won't compromise the seals at the joints and intersections.
Follow these tips when installing insulation on how water pipes. Don't hesitate to contact an expert if you need help in choosing or installing the material.