hi-temp pipe insulation

[JHZR2]

Hi,

Our furnace heats our water tank with water that is a 180F setpoint. We currently have a lot of exposed copper pipe feeding it. I want to insulate it.

Ive seen the self-sealing "adhesive" poly(urethane?) foam pipe insulation and then there is a rubber form also, I believe Armaflex manufactures it. Sold at HD. I believe it is EPDM foam elastomer. I was under the impression that it was more for refrigerant lines, but I think it has a higher-temp rating then the foam actually.

What should I use on a 1" copper line that is always 180F when being used?

Im not going fiberglass as Ive heard too many bad things about it and loosing its insulating capacity. I want to go with a foam of some sort...

Thanks!

 

[SuperDave456]

Standard foam insulation for pipes that you pick up at Home Depot or Lowes will withstand the temps you describe.

Just go to the plumbing department and they will hook you up.
I recently did the same thing for a bathroom I was remodeling. No reason to have hot water pipes un-insulated if you can get to them.

 

[T-Bone]

Yes, the standard cheapest home store insulation will work, or spend a few cents more and get the cool "adhesive stick together seam".

I installed a bunch on the house we bought a few years ago and the effect is noticeable - especially if you turn the hot water on a while later - it's still hot.

 

[Al]

Why 180F is this your heat or domestic hot water heater.

 

[rjundi]

Go to a plumbing supply after the morning rush. Ask the folks what they recommend. It will far cheaper and superior quality to what home depot/lowes have.

I had to insulate 1.5" to 3" hot water lines in my home and spent at least twice at home depot for cruddy quality stuff.

 

[JustinH]

Remember if it is a gas heater, then you don't insulate the first 6 inches of pipe near the flue, it could be a fire hazard.

I'd be interested in seeing what results you get by insulating this pipe. My guess is you will get hot water to the tap a little faster, but no savings out of your pocketbook.

 

[JHZR2]

Well I got some frost king polyethylene foam stuff from Lowes and then some Armacell armaflex AP EPDM (?) foam from HD. The Armacell is R3.2, while the PE foams are about R2.1

Our ultra high efficiency furnace feeds alternately a zone that is our home heating, or a loop that is for domestic hot water in an indirect water heater. I put some PE form and some of the armacell foam (which is about 3x more expensive) on one of the 1" pipes feeding the indirect. After running for a while, it was quite clear that the armacell insulation was far cooler to the touch than the PE foam. This means that the armacell is the better insulation, which is to be expected per the R-value, but it is quite obvious.

I dont feel any appreciable heat from the piping coming out of the heater on the domestic side, which should be 140F. But it is definitely notable at 180F.

Im sure if I could find some 1/2 or 1" PE foam insulation, it would likely do the job for less money. Unfortunately no place offers this conveniently.