Basement pipe insulation (finished basement)

htyen1

i understand typically you suppose to insulate the pipe from the boiler to the radiators, especially the ones in the basement.



quick question



i have a finish basement, so naturally i want the basement not be be cold. and there is not radiator in the basement.



i assume the best way is to just let some of the steam pipe being not insulated and while insulate some of the other steam pipes



any roles or guideline i should follow? how much of the pipe i should let not insulated? or is this even a good idea?



thanks

hy

Jamie Hall

Generally speaking

insulation is regarded as a very good idea.  The reasoning is two fold: first, one can control the temperature using radiators and placing the correctly, and second steam condensing in the mains can -- and usually does -- result in significantly slower heat to the radiators, as well as uneven heat, and can also result in water hammer problems in the mains.



If the mains are designed to handle the extra condensate resulting from not being insulated (additional pitch and/or larger pipe) and if the rest of the system can be properly balanced, it's not hopeless to do leave the mains partly uninsulated.



It is not the most efficient, never mind controllable, way to heat a finished basement.  A much much better approach is to use a hot water loop off the boiler with it's own thermostat for circulation and an aquastat to keep the boiler water warm.