pipe insulation

Thad English

If you can get it, use 1.5" thick fiberglass pipe insulation. I had to go to an industrial insulation company to find it but it makes all the difference in the world. Before adding it, my basement was easily 92 degrees. Now that it is done, it's a comfy 68 down there and all those little BTUs are coming out of my radiators heating where I actually live. The fiberglass stuff comes in 3 foot lengths, split down the side, and it has a glue tab for easy installation. It's kind of pricey but nothing compared to what your heating bills are going to be without it. Why heat your basement to 90+ degrees and have the living area cold? That is what will happen if you don't insulate the mains. YOu should insulate your steam mains in the basement from the boiler out to where they go vertical through your walls.


I didn't do my wet returns because I do want a little bit of heat down there. But if you want to be super efficient insulate the returns too. I had cellulose insulation blown into the steam chases so my "verticals" are insulated too. Good luck with it.

Chris_35

I am in the process of insulating the pipes for my one pipe steam system (even though the guy that replaced the old boiler said it doesn't need insulation).
Questions; Do I insulate the pipes right up to the boiler?
Do I insulate all pipes including the return 'drip' pipes?
Do I insulate the vertical pipes that go through 1st story rooms up to the 2nd story?
Thanks for any help.

Chris_35

Thanks for your help.
I only got 1" pipe insulation, will that be ok? It seems pretty good and I have installed about 2/3rds of it and already its way cooler in my basement.
Also, I haven't heard a single BANG!! since I put on the insulation.
Thanks again.