ArmaFlex tubes save energy and prevent condensation. Flexible and easy-to-install, ArmaFlex is the original foam insulation and still a top solution for all kinds of piping under +220☏ (104☌). Tundra can be found at many retail hardware stores for the DIYer and Tubolit is the commercial brand for plumbing and refrigeration pros.ĪrmaFlex® tubes and ArmaFlex® Black LapSeal are closed-cell rubber based tubular pipe insulation for professional use. Economical and easy to install, PE foam insulation will prevent pipes from freezing and keep hot pipes hot and cold pipes cold. The Right Product for the Jobįor many residential plumbing applications a PE pipe insulation product like Tubolit® and Tundra® is the perfect option. Made of flexible foam with a self-adhesive backing, you simply wrap the pipe, fitting or valve with the tape generously overlapping the layers, building up to an appropriate thickness to provide the thermal performance needed. With regular tubes that require slitting and gluing, or self-seal options, installing foam pipe insulation is one of the simplest of all insulation options.Īnother way to insulate piping, especially for short sections or tight bends is to use a pipe wrap or tape material. The tubes can be made of either PE foam or rubber-based insulation, and both are available in many different diameters for different pipe sizes. Most foam pipe insulation is available in 6-foot lengths so that you can cover a lot of ground quickly. This product is convenient when longer runs of straight pipe need to be covered. Installing Insulation Recommendations from “The Spruce”Ī common product to consider is tubular foam pipe insulation. If the goal of pipe insulation is to eliminate pipe sweating and mold issues, then cold water pipes are in the most need of insulation. If the goal is to lower water-heating costs, then it is critical to insulate hot water pipes wherever there is access to them in a building. In some cases, heat tracing is necessary for additional freeze protection in addition to insulation. If the goal is to prevent frozen water pipes and condensation, then the critical pipes to protect are those that run through unheated spaces in places like mechanical rooms, exterior walls, unheated storage buildings, floor cavities above unheated crawl spaces, or even attics or basement spaces. Residents or occupants of a building have an added benefit of not waiting as long for hot water from a faucet, which can help conserve water. Insulating hot water pipes can also raise water temperature 2☏–4☏ hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing a lower water temperature setting. Insulating hot water pipes can save money on energy costs by preventing piping from losing heat to the surrounding air. An excess of condensation can lead to energy loss, higher operating costs and even poor IAQ due to mold and mildew. Moisture control is critical to thermal efficiency and chilled-water systems. Insulating cold water pipes can also prevent the pipes from sweating due to moisture condensation. Any water supply pipes that are exposed to exterior walls or unheated spaces can freeze, burst, and flood a building. Insulating water supply pipes in exposed areas, especially in cold climates, it is imperative to design efficiency. However, cold and hot pipe systems need different attention and improper specifying can lead to system failures, energy waste and even building closures. Too frequently, it is assumed that all insulation is equally suitable for any application. These mechanical systems particularly benefit from insulation’s ability to prevent condensation, moisture intrusion and system failures. Energy-efficient building design must address interior piping systems and specify the right insulation materials in the right thicknesses. Insulation is typically seen as a means to prevent heat gain or loss.
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