Insulating steam pipe return

tkos115

This might be a question that has been asked a bunch of times, but is it a good idea to also insulate the wet return on a 1 pipe steam system? Or, for the purpose of what i'm doing, is there really any pipe on a steam system that shouldn't be insulated or doesn't need to be? I have been adding missing insulation to my steam mains, and head pipes at the boiler.

Jamie Hall

Well... it never hurts to insulate? But is it worth it? Wet returns -- I'd say don't bother.

KC_Jones

All my returns are bare to provide minimal heating in my basement, which is a workshop. I don't want it warm, but I don't want to see my breath either.

My opinion, it depends on how you use your house.

Shalom

I insulated my dry returns. Not 100% necessary, but they're all at forehead level and I was tired of smacking my head on them.

tkos115

I'll probably leave the returns alone, I don't do much in the basement but a little heat down there probably isn't a bad thing.