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Insulating Plate Heat Exchangers

is it worth insulating a plate heat exchanger like with something in the included pics? In my opinion, I’m probably not saving much in the long run but it does look nice.

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,248

    it is a must for chilled water. For heat, if it is in a warm space, there is not a lot of surface area to lose heat from a plate HX. It the insulation shell is low cost, why not

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • kaliber50
    kaliber50 Member Posts: 18

    you are always super helpful even when I read other’s posts. Thank u. And indeed my plate heat exchanger IS in a warm place. Thank u again.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,381

    If they sell the insulation package put it on every little bit helps but that "Armaflex" type material doesn't hold up well with heat over the long term.

  • GGross
    GGross Member Posts: 1,246

    No harm in doing it if its not too much money and is relatively easy to take off for potential service. I agree certain components just look nicer insulated even if the rest of the piping system is not.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,248

    I have used Kaizen foam to make my own insulation shells. Im trying to find out the temperature rating. It has worked fine for radiant and solar HX that I have insulated . About 30 bucks for a 24” square, 2-1/4” thick

    . It peels like an onion, used mainly for toolbox liners, etc

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    GGross
  • ratio
    ratio Member Posts: 3,777

    I've used sheet Armaflex™ to insulate HXs on snow melts in the past. Looks nice, & it gives me something to point my OCD at.