Insulating hot water heating lines?
First time I have lived in a home with hot water heat and I have the copper heating lines running along the outside of the basement wall just above and resting on the block foundation that feed the upstairs radiators. The basement seems warm and the boiler will run when the upstairs doesn’t call for any heat and I have been told that the boiler will run just to keep the water hot even if the house isn’t cold. I am in the process of finishing the basement and will be covering the hot water runs with the ceiling tile and I think that I should insulate these lines to cut down on the heat loss to the foundation , what should I use and will it be okay?
Replies
If you can find access to it: Johns-Manville fiberglass with APC (all purpose cover) is about the best for indoor use.
For standard pipe sizes it comes in 1/2 and 1" thick versions. For 3/4" pipe, 1/2" costs $2.20/ft (list price) and $2.58 for 1".
You'll probably have to go to a plumbing supply house to get it, though.
The 'neoprene' rubbery stuff is somewhat better and easier to work with than the more common polyethylene foam. It's available at the big box stores.