Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes to Save Energy, Time and Money

Hot showers are great, but you can wait a long time for that hot water to reach your shower. You're not just wasting time, you're wasting energy. You can limit that loss by insulating your hot water pipes.

[@DBravo29er]

Multiple foamed rubber pipe wraps are rated fire-resistant. If you're *really* worried about it (which you shouldn't be), then get some velcro aluminized fiberglass vehicle pipe shield (looks like header wrap but is velcro closure). Orient the velcro on the far side for the pipe from the flue. BOOM. Will repel a butane torch from 6" now.

[@Lughnerson]

I did it, but without the intersections. So I suppose my pipes are only 95% more efficient than previously. But those connectors are a lot more expensive than the simple long insulating tube.

[@2339091q]

Hey handsome HVAC sir, should I insulate the water heater chimney/vent?

[@2339091q]

I mean the big stainless steel pipe in the mid.

[@TheBrownSys]

@@2339091q No! That is a fire hazard. There's also no reason to insulate it. In addition the foam on the pipe should not be installed so close to the exhaust vent. Check your local regulations for how close combustible material is allowed to be to a water heater exhaust pipe.

[@keshavsfunactivitiesshortz]

Is fiberglass better then foam? Which one you recommend??

[@redsresearch]

dont hot water pipes get too hot for insulation?

[@TheOneJPtv]

Why is everybody saying those foam stick are flammable/combustible ???

[@janolivier5879]

Because it has carbon in, which means it can burn.

[@andrewziem370]

If it's near the water heater exhaust, use fiberglass instead

[@redsresearch]

​@@andrewziem370wont fiberglass burn?

[@andrewziem370]

@@redsresearch The glass fibers melt at 1000F, while the binders decompose at 500-800F. That's pretty hot! I am not an expert, but I think the exhaust pipe should not be that hot. Check yours using infrared thermometer under heavy load, and allow a little distance from the hottest parts.

[@djsolstice8964]

Why just the first 3 feet? Also, thats been called a meter for while now 😂

[@JJOMD]

Actually 3 feet is a yard, not a meter. A meter is 39.37 inches.

[@Ramnik72]

Bs