insulate the return steam pipes??

huck_3

probably a dumb question, and i'm guessing they shouldn't be insulated; but i am re-insulating all my main-line pipes on my one-pipe steam system and was wondering if it wouldn't hurt (or if it would help) if i just insulated every pipe i can see.
what do you say?
thanks!

Brad White_9

Yes

Insulate those suckers. One reason is energy loss that is uncontrolled. (Not a loss of steam for they should all be condensed at that point anyway, so not a pressure issue as on the supply side.) Still, it is uncontrolled which also means "sometimes not wanted" heat loss -or gain to a space you care not to heat).

The best reason I have learned here is to minimize the creation of carbonic acid which can groove the inside bottom (invert) of the return piping. Keeping the system hot will keep reabsorbtion of carbon dioxide into the water to a minimum thus retarding carbonic acid formation.

Also a good insulation job can look just so nice.