Boiler pipe insulation

[BigJ273]

Anyone use the foam pipe noodles in their hot water boiler pipes (copper)? Wondering if the temps of the pipes when the heat is on melts the foam.

 

[hedge wood]

Anyone use the foam pipe noodles in their hot water boiler pipes (copper)? Wondering if the temps of the pipes when the heat is on melts the foam.

I have a fair amount of my copper and Pex pipes on my Garn system with the foam pipe noodles on them in my shop and basement. I haven't had any issues with them melting.

 

[peakbagger]

The black "rubatex" neoprene is generally a better insulation product that the polyethylene pool noodles that can be impacted by heat.

 

[jblnut]

Got them all over and they work great on the pipes with 190f water. Noodles are cool to the touch so they must at least be helping.

 

[Easy Livin’ 3000]

Anyone use the foam pipe noodles in their hot water boiler pipes (copper)? Wondering if the temps of the pipes when the heat is on melts the foam.

Melting point of polyethylene is 230°f. If your pipes get that hot, not a good idea to use.

I actually had exactly the same thoughts about trying them out as pipe insulation. The stuff that is purpose built for insulating pipes is pricy. Pool noodles are cheap. But also flammable, so keep that in mind.

I'll check on the external temp of my pipes with my temp reading gun in a few places next time I run the boiler. Last season that was only once or twice, twice so far this season. I think it's hard to find these in winter, in summer they are abundant.

 

[BoiledOver]

I can't say if the polyethylene would melt or not. I insulated in the boiler room and over to the house, nothing on the house side. I used rubber first and then polyethylene over that for a nice tight fit, no losses there. Highest temps we see is 200F.

 

[BigJ273]

The black "rubatex" neoprene is generally a better insulation product that the polyethylene pool noodles that can be impacted by heat.

Elastomeric? Is that the stuff?

 

[peakbagger]

Neoprene is one of many elastomers.

 

[myusername]

My installer recommended the K-Flex wraps and I wholely agree. They are vastly superior to the pipe wraps I found at the big box stores. See https://www.supplyhouse.com/K-Flex-...-Wall-Insul-Lock-DS-Overlap-Pipe-Insulation-6

 

[BigJ273]

My installer recommended the K-Flex wraps and I wholely agree. They are vastly superior to the pipe wraps I found at the big box stores. See https://www.supplyhouse.com/K-Flex-...-Wall-Insul-Lock-DS-Overlap-Pipe-Insulation-6

That’s what I ended up using

 

[Tonty]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Parker-...i-Temp-Cork-Insulation-Tape-1-8-x-2-x-30-Roll
Anybody used this?

 

[brenndatomu]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Parker-...i-Temp-Cork-Insulation-Tape-1-8-x-2-x-30-Roll
Anybody used this?

Can't imagine there is much R value there...

 

[Tonty]

Yes, seems like it wouldn’t be much, but probably better than a bare pipe. Those other pipe insulations are only rated to 200*, and I heat my system above that. I’ve used them, but they get a bit crispy.

 

[hobbyheater]

I haven't read every post in the thread but it doesn't make much sense to pay big bucks for a boiler and storage and to go cheap on pipe insulation ! My two cent's!

 

[Highbeam]

I haven't read every post in the thread but it doesn't make much sense to pay big bucks for a boiler and storage and to go cheap on pipe insulation ! My two cent's!

welcome back hobbyheater