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What is the best insulation for the pipes in my basement?

NowAndThen
NowAndThen Member Posts: 2
in Gas Heating
When I moved into my place (duplex built in 1929) the pipe insulation in the basement had to be removed since it was asbestos that was falling apart. I've read that putting on new insulation would be one of the easiest and best ways to improve efficiency.

What products do you all recommend?

Comments

  • jesmed1
    jesmed1 Member Posts: 712
    edited December 2023
    Just remember that if you use the basement for anything like laundry room/work space, the better you insulate the pipes, the colder the basement will be, unless you have some other heat source down there.

    We have a large number of uninsulated pipes in the basement of our 100-yr-old 4-unit condo building, and I leave the pipes uninsulated because I have my shop down there, plus the residents do laundry down there, so we leave the pipes uninsulated and they provide the heat.
  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,297
    edited December 2023
    Fiberglass insulation is the best. 
    If you’re paying a contractor I don’t see a return on investment. Doing it yourself yes. 


  • bburd
    bburd Member Posts: 1,041
    edited December 2023
    Is this steam or hot water heat?

    Standard practice for steam systems, even years ago when fuel was cheaper, was to insulate the steam piping but not the condensate returns. In addition to saving fuel, this will generally make the system heat faster and more evenly.

    1 inch thick fiberglass is the usual recommendation. You will not find this at big box stores, but it's available online and at plumbing and heating supply houses.
    —
    Bburd
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,669
    edited December 2023
    Only spend time and money on it if your house has no drafts, has good insulation in the attic appropriate to your climate zone, insulated sill plate area, and storm windows. Or if you just really want to do it. The payback will be measured in years--do those other things instead.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • trivetman
    trivetman Member Posts: 204
    ethicalpaul said:
    Only spend time and money on it if your house has no drafts, has good insulation in the attic appropriate to your climate zone, insulated sill plate area, and storm windows. Or if you just really want to do it. The payback will be measured in years--do those other things instead.
    Or if your basement is a sauna in the winter from all the exposed hot piping.

    Heres one of the online sources.  Theres others as well.

    https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/


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