Pipe insulation source

ethicalpaul

Surely there’s better than this out there somewhere:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/100111431

But I sure can’t find it! Any ideas! I’ve seen some real giant stuff in some of your photos but I’d settle for 1” thick, there should be plenty out there considering how much asbestos is getting removed, thanks!!!

lcw5

I bought from this place, it was cheaper than big box and the local plumbing supply place, even with shipping. Plenty of size options as well. Arrived very quickly also.

https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/Fiberglass-Pipe-Insulation-SSL-ASJ/

KC_Jones

Figure out your needs carefully as the shipping is a bit spendy, so you don't want to have to order more than once. Otherwise it is a great source for the insulation.

ethicalpaul

Thanks guys this is perfect!

ethicalpaul

Just for fun, I’ll ask: is anything more than 1” worth it? The price slope is pretty steep

Jamie Hall

ethicalpaul said:

Just for fun, I’ll ask: is anything more than 1” worth it? The price slope is pretty steep

Not really... don't bother. IMHO

ImYoungxD

Don't forget that some utility company offers rebates on insulation. I got $25 after ordering $110 of insulation.

This was National Grid (Gas) even though I have oil heating.

ethicalpaul

Thank you, although if I get out of this for $110 I would happily ignore any rebate LOL

Larry Weingarten

Hello, I have a slightly different way of looking at insulation thickness and how cost effective it is or isn't. I like to imagine how long the job will be in place and what energy will cost towards the end of the job's life. Say (conservatively) energy costs double every twenty years and the insulation will last for forty. That would mean energy that costs one dollar now will cost four dollars. If you use what's considered "cost effective" now, will it need to be ripped out before it's time because of energy cost increases over and above inflation? At a minimum, I want the insulation I install to be cost effective half way through it's lifespan. But, if getting to the insulation to replace it is going to be difficult, I'd put enough on to insure it was still keeping it's owners happy up until the piping needs to be replaced. I know there are variables and mushiness here, but hopefully you get my point.

Yours, Larry

ethicalpaul

Yep, and thanks, but the problem is I have no numbers for how much savings differential there might be for say 1” vs 1.5” vs 2” etc.

It would be potentially some fraction of the annual boiler bill, but so hard to calculate, especially since there’s quite a bit of time between firings in my system.

johncharles

I just undertook this project a few weeks ago, I bought it all from the place lcw5 mentioned.

I have a 20' section of my main after the last radiator before the main vent which I did in 1'' the rest I did in 1.5''

I think the 1.5'' is super worth it, it's more expensive but not very, when you think about it in relation to potentially running the system less.

The difference between the 1'' and the 1.5'' feels pretty big. At the end of a 20 minute cycle the outside of the 1'' is about 100* while the 1.5'' is only about 77*. That's true also considering that the thinner 1'' is near the end of the main and in theory exposed to less heat. While the 1.5'' is right near the boiler and is still only 77* even though it was exposed to all the heat of the entire cycle.

You may differ but I think the extra half an inch is definitely way worth it. I'm very pleased with the choice.

ethicalpaul

Thanks for that info. I'll get my actual numbers together and see what the price differential really is.

Steamowner

Hello, Does anyone know of a supply store in the Boston area? I just want to buy some PVC elbows and maybe some T's (the rest of my pipes are already insulated) but the shipping is almost as expensive as what I'm buying.
Express Insulation says their products can be picked up in Malden but I'm in Metro West.
Boston Building Resources doesn't seem to have what I'm looking for.
I would like everything to look nice but it's an unfinished basement so I could resort to doing it the messy looking way.

adasilva

You have a Homan's about 23 miles from you. They usually deliver for free and always have stock on hand for EVERYTHING.

adasilva

> @Steamowner said:
> Hello, Does anyone know of a supply store in the Boston area? I just want to buy some PVC elbows and maybe some T's (the rest of my pipes are already insulated) but the shipping is almost as expensive as what I'm buying.
> Express Insulation says their products can be picked up in Malden but I'm in Metro West.
> Boston Building Resources doesn't seem to have what I'm looking for.
> I would like everything to look nice but it's an unfinished basement so I could resort to doing it the messy looking way.

Homan's is near the North shore as an FYI

rhw1

As a novice and completely naive what is wrong with buying insulation from a box store like HD or Lowes? They accept all returns easily if you overbuy and if not enough they are usually close buy to pick some more up quickly with no shipping involved.

ethicalpaul

Their insulation is very thin, like maybe 1/2" and it's really expensive. I made this post because I had purchased some of that stuff and used it, but then I saw so much better insulation in some pictures of people's boilers.

Bio

Check out Metro Supply in Clifton, they recently moved from woodland park, I bought from them a few years back

gfrbrookline

Republic is always a good option. They have several locations around Boston.

Chris_L

adasilva said:

You have a Homan's about 23 miles from you. They usually deliver for free and always have stock on hand for EVERYTHING.

Looks like there is one in Medford too, which would be much closer to Boston (and not far from me). I'd never heard of Homans. Hope they sell retail.

adasilva

@Chris_L I've dealt with them for about 10 years now and they will sell to homeowners. They are usually pretty good on their prices as well & better quality then the box stores.