pipe covering

Hollis

Ok, I have heard you need to cover pipes with SOMETHING. I happen to have a lot of REFLECTIX. You know that aluminum bubble wrap stuff. Is that suitable for using as a pipe wrap? Not sure of the r value and they state something like "equivalent r value" trying to say that the radiant part the stuff comes into play as insulation and not part of the official way of determining such (as I understand the literature) Anyway it seems like good stuff for certain purposes, like placed behind radiators that are on outside walls,..but wondering if its enough for adequate pipe insulation?

P I have enough to double wrap all pipes.

Jamie Hall

I'd be rather wary of it's temperature rating. I don't think it's meant for steam temperatures.

Not to mention that it really isn't as effective as an inch of fiberglass would be, even double wrapped.

Hollis

Hummm good points, the plastic part of the bubble stuff probably not meant for that heat for very long, Thank you

SWEI

Aquatherm has a listed approval for Reflectix-style insulation. Works quite well on chilled water. I'm somewhat less impressed with the HW performance.