should i insulate my hot water copper pipe?
I noticed that if i use hot water in my kitchen less frequently than few times per hour then the water takes a while (about 30sec) to warmup again next time. I visited my crawlsoace and found indeed about 15 feet of naked copper pipes until the tank, and noticed that after 20min the pipe has indeed lost its heat radiatively
So to reduce the water and energy waste would it make sense to put some insulation around the pipe (the one for the hot water, i live in California, the cold pipe never freezes)?
Anyone did this? Why is it not there already, is it impopular or ‘bad’? Is the sleeved foam tube better than fiberglass? Do you see lower bills?
so if it is so easy to do, and may (i yet have to hear about sb confirming the drastic savings) save my bills, then why is there no foam yet? do builders not know that? (i checked both my house and a friends, no foam whatsoever)
It’s a great idea
You’ll save energy and that = dollars
The foam tubes work great and unless you enjoy working with itchy fiberglass, I recommend them.
They come in different sizes so measure the pipe. Get some duct tape to join them. You can cut the tubes with a nice sharp knife (like cutting a salami). If you have corners cut the foam at a 45 degree angle. Just like making a picture frame. You can cover the cold water pipes too. So you won;t have to wait so long for a glass of cold water.
Good luck
Ask This Old House 7x07 (1/3) Reducing Heating Costs / Using a Whole House Fan
Yes, I have, I live in chicago and I insulate the copper pipes in my baseman, In the summer cold water running thru the pipes creates condensation, and water drips on to the floor, and in the winter, heat is loss on pipes that are not insulated. I recomend the foam tubes, they are cheap and easy to install. you can go wrong because they do not cause any harm to the pipes and in the long run they can save you money,and give you comfort.
Jerry B.
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self experience
Yes. It’s very easy & not expensive. There’s no reason not to.
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It’s a great idea
You’ll save energy and that = dollars
The foam tubes work great and unless you enjoy working with itchy fiberglass, I recommend them.
They come in different sizes so measure the pipe. Get some duct tape to join them. You can cut the tubes with a nice sharp knife (like cutting a salami). If you have corners cut the foam at a 45 degree angle. Just like making a picture frame. You can cover the cold water pipes too. So you won;t have to wait so long for a glass of cold water.
Good luck
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"There’s no off position on the genius switch" David Letterman
No, you will not experience any profound difference in your energy bill, but, guess what it costs pennies and is equally easy to do and will surly pay for itself in the very short term.
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It’s a good idea, but don’t expect miracles. The insulation will indeed delay the cooling of the pipes, but only for so long, after, oh I’d guess an hour or so, no amount of normal insulation will keep the pipe hot.
But it should reduce the annoyance (and expense) of having the water cool off after a matter of minutes.
If the main concern is having to wait for the hot water, there are systems that circulate the water keeping it ready, but of course a prerequisite for that is good insulation; you may not save much if anything on heating the water, but you will save on the water you waste dumping it down the drain.
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