Thermal insulation for heating pipes in the open air: types of materials for thermal insulation of pipes of the heating system

An effective heating system is essential for keeping your house warm and comfortable during the winter. The protection of heating pipes that run outside the house is one feature of insulation that is frequently disregarded. Due to their outdoor exposure, these pipes are vulnerable to heat loss and possible freezing-related damage. We’ll examine the various materials available for insulating outdoor heating pipes in this post to help you make an informed choice that will effectively keep your house warm.

Heat loss from exposed outdoor heating pipes can lead to increased energy costs and decreased heating efficiency. Furthermore, these pipes may freeze as a result of exposure to low temperatures, which could result in leaks or even burst pipes. In addition to preventing heat loss, proper insulation keeps the pipes from freezing, guaranteeing continuous heating during the winter.

Foam insulation is one of the materials most frequently used to insulate outdoor heating pipes. Foam insulation is reasonably simple to install and is available in a variety of forms, such as sheets and tubes. It offers some protection from moisture and corrosion and has good thermal resistance, which helps to retain heat inside the pipes.

Fiberglass insulation is another common choice for insulating outdoor heating pipes. Fine glass fibers make up fiberglass insulation, which comes in rolls or batts. It is appropriate for outdoor use due to its moisture resistance and good thermal performance. Additionally fire-resistant, fiberglass insulation gives your heating system an additional degree of security.

Mineral wool insulation is a viable option for individuals seeking an environmentally conscious solution. Mineral wool insulation is combustible and has good thermal and acoustic insulation qualities. It is made from recycled materials like slag and basalt. It is a sturdy option for outdoor applications because it is also mold and moisture resistant.

For your outdoor heating pipes, it’s important to take durability, moisture resistance, thermal performance, and ease of installation into account when selecting the appropriate insulation material. You can keep your heating system dependable and efficient, keeping your house toasty and cozy all year long, by choosing the right insulation material.

The need for isolation

From massive factories and businesses to tiny suburban cottages, thermal insulation for heating pipes is required everywhere. In the long run, the cost of fuel and pipeline repairs will be significantly reduced thanks to the project’s initial inherent isolation cost.

Insulation shell: the connection’s structure

Heating pipes that are located inside buildings and on the street are thermally insulated to prevent condensate formation, freezing, and metal corrosion. In addition to saving fuel costs, insulation work is done on hot water pipelines to prolong their service life and minimize heat loss.

Purchase high-quality products, and they will shield your pipes from chemical and bacterial exposure as well.

Desired insulation for the main heating system

Materials for insulating work

Thermal insulation materials for heating pipes are available in construction stores in a diverse range of qualities and characteristics. Mineral wool is available there in a variety of forms, including mats, cylinders, liquid thermal insulation, polyethylene or rubber heat-insulating tubes, and many more.

We’ll talk about the most widely used materials:

Polyethylene foamed. The insulation is a tube with premium foamed polyethylene cutouts. This product produces thermal insulation that is highly resistant to abrupt temperature changes, moisture buildup, and chemical influences. It is an environmentally friendly material.

This product is utilized in air conditioning systems, refrigeration equipment, cold and hot water supply pipelines, and as an insulating shell;

Rubber foam. There are two possible forms for this technical insulation: plates and tubes. Rubber is included in the group of materials because it has improved fire safety in addition to having excellent thermal insulation qualities.

This kind of isolation is impenetrable, impervious to fungi, and incapable of forming condensation. The plates’ foamed rubber may have a heat-reflecting foil layer applied to it for protection. Such a product is in high demand for isolating pipelines and equipment with different destinations;

Insulation made of mineral wool. produced in mats and has many applications. Using this material makes it convenient to perform the work intended to isolate all of the equipment and pipes.

Completed the basement’s heating pipes’ thermal insulation

Firm, foil, or lamella produce the mats themselves. These products offer long-term, high-quality sound and thermal insulation for equipment;

Cylinders with thermal insulation. Wool made from the mineral basalt is used to produce these goods. Three types of such isolation are available on the market: cylinders without a coating, cylinders with a foil surface, and cylinders with a galvanized surface.

Pipelines are encased in a protective shell formed by this type of heater, whose materials exhibit high fire and water resistance indicators. It consistently shields the chimneys in addition to providing pipelines with adequate thermal insulation;

Foamed polyethylene is used as foil insulation. It is a great material for insulation and has the shape of a canvas. This material finds application both indoors and outdoors. The polymer itself possesses insulation, steam, and hydrophilicity qualities.

Because of foil, it is durable and environmentally friendly, effectively reflects heat, and remains intact when subjected to chemical and thermal changes. It can be used with any type of pipe or equipment.

Foam cylinders

Thermal insulation in liquid form. is a recent development in this field and goes by the name thermochedral. It is suggested in the instruction manual that it be used with pipelines of different shapes and sizes.

Application produces a thin protective coating that offers good condensate, corrosion protection, and isolation. Now that such isolation has been imposed, additional materials are not required. The ability to apply even in the most remote locations is the primary benefit;

Pipes that are protective. Materials like fiberglass, foil selected, foilizol, and fiberglass are included in this. They are not afraid of temperature changes and have good thermophysical indicators.

Polyethylene foamed with foil

We’ll look at the different kinds of materials that can be used to insulate pipes in your heating system in our article on thermal insulation for heating pipes outdoors. Maintaining the insulation of these pipes is essential to limiting heat loss and guaranteeing effective heating throughout your house. We’ll discuss various solutions, emphasizing their advantages and environmental suitability, including foam insulation, fiberglass wraps, and even reflective foils. Gaining knowledge about these materials will enable you to maintain the comfort of your home and the efficiency of your heating system in the winter.

Ventilation

Systems of ventilation are employed to keep the humidity level stable. However, these systems require insulation during the cold months in order to stop condensate from forming. Condensate causes the pipes in ventilation systems to progressively collapse.

"Energoflex" is a heat-insulating material that is used in pipes that carry a refrigerant as a liquid. This substance shields pipelines against mechanical harm, corrosion, and condensate formation.

Stages of work

Polystyrene foam, mineral wool, polypropylene, and polyurethane foam are used to insulate ventilation pipes. Insulation can take the shape of a shell, cord, semi-cylinder, or cylinder. The process for using mineral wool for thermal insulation is as follows:

• The ventilation pipe is cleaned of dirt and wrapped with 1 layer of mineral wool;
• A foil insulation is wrapped on top of the cotton wool with a thickness of 4 mm;
• The resulting seams are glued with aluminum tape.

The polystyrene-insulated ventilation pipe hardly ever corrodes. The following procedures are followed when installing thermal insulation:

• Calculation of the shells and a section of the required size with a knife or saw;
• Half of the shell are dressed on a pipe with a displacement of 25 cm. by lenght;
• Ship-Paz side locks tightly closed.

Foamed polyethylene

Using cylinders made of different thermal insulation materials is done using the same methodology. Nonetheless, foamed polyethylene is the most widely used material for thermal insulation of ventilation pipes in residential settings. This material takes the shape of the pipes by enveloping them in finished shells. Here’s how the insulation process works:

• make a calculation of length and measure on the material;
• cut the insulator along a special seam;
• The shell is installed around the pipe;
• Special glue or mounting ribbon glue seam and joints.

Basalt

The insulation process using basalt fiber is the most challenging:

• The pipeline is wrapped with fiber and covered with aluminum foil;
• Everything is fixed with wire, after which the longitudinal seam is sewn with a soft wire with a thickness of 0.8 mm;
• The winding is fixed with bandage buckles of aluminum tape.

Rings from an anneal, galvanized wire, and stainless steel can be used in place of the system’s wire. Buckles and galvanized steel are both usable materials.

The need to warm heating pipes

Unfinished pipes cool more quickly, causing the temperature of the entire heating system to drop.

It might appear at first that apartment buildings without a need for hot water need not insulate their pipes. In actuality, though, this is untrue. Because coolant circulates through the heating circuit, its temperature is constantly high. However, heat carriers cool more quickly outside because the temperature is consistently lower. Insulation has a long-term heat-saving effect. When installing a heating main underground or outside air, it is especially important to use insulating materials for pipes. The GOST, SNiP, and other standards govern the laying rules.

Economically, insulation is not profitable. The coolant pipes’ walls will rapidly cool if there is no insulating layer between them and the chilly street air. The entire heating system and the heated rooms experience a drop in temperature as a result. Such a system has very little efficiency since it uses a lot of fuel to heat the water and raises the room’s temperature. Heat loss can be decreased by increasing efficiency thanks to insulation.

Thermal insulation materials

Since there is a good variety of building materials available on the market today, let’s begin the article with an analysis of insulation. And it’s still worthwhile to ask how to insulate the heating pipes today.

It makes sense to take into account at least the primary material since there are entirely new and traditional materials that are still in use.

Mineral wool

Over many years of use, this traditional insulation has demonstrated its value.

Notable aspects

• Firstly, these are high thermal insulation characteristics.
• Secondly, the ability to use this material for the finish of pipes in which the coolant passes with a fairly high temperature.
• Thirdly, this is non-combustible material.
• Fourth, this heat insulator can contact with oils, acids and other aggressive environments, and at the same time it does not lose its qualities.
• Fifth, the price of this material is quite low.

Different types of heaters for pipes

However, he has one flaw, which is hygroscopicity. Minvat insulation sharply lessens its characteristics while gaining humidity quickly. It must therefore be isolated using waterproofers. Take tin or roofing, for instance.

Foam polystyrene

Because polistyrol foam is relatively inexpensive and lightweight during installation, it has replaced mineral wool insulation in many places. Form it into two semi-cylinders that are used to squeeze the pipe.

Usually, clamps or self-adhesive ribbons are used to secure two parts together, though wire can also be used. However, polystyrene heater is required for waterproofing, just like in the case of mineral wool.

Excellent thermal insulation is provided by polystyrene foam.

However, when comparing these two types of insulation, experts currently favor the second. And the primary explanation is that you don’t need to hire experts to complete the waterproofing process; you can do it yourself.

Penoizole

This material’s composition is very similar to that of polystyrene foam; the only difference is that it is applied in liquid form. You may refer to this heat insulator as insulation for outdoor pipe heating.

What benefits does it offer?

1. The ease of application.
2. Seamless thermal insulation.

However, he has one drawback, which is that it is impossible to apply without a specialized device. As a result, using thermal insulation on your own to heat pipes will not work. By the way, using foamyizol to insulate the loggia in their own apartment is a very wise decision.

Foamed polyethylene

Nonetheless, home masters are big fans of this heater made of heating pipes. Not even the directions are required. The issue is that rolls are made of it.

It requires no additional tools or materials to operate; simply wrap it around pipes and secure with tape or wire. It is lightweight, convenient, and easy to work with.

The product’s longevity, environmental friendliness, and non-flammability are all benefits, and these are not the only ones that apply today. As a result, the heating pipe’s insulation ensures efficient thermal insulation.

Poliuretan foam

In this instance, it is imperative to discuss two materials simultaneously:

1. Installation foam. Many can doubt that it can be used as insulation for heating pipes. But practice has long proved that the installation foam can be used if there is a need to heat up a small section of the pipeline.
2. PPU shell. This insulation got its name for being produced in the form of two half -cylinders or in the form of several segments. Putting the pipe for insulation in this way, you seem to put it in the shell.

Insulating shell

Penophol with a foil layer

Although this insulation was just recently introduced to the market, it quickly gained appeal. What’s that? Here, two elements are employed. Foamed polyethylene is the second component, which is applied on top of aluminum foil in the first place.

They release it in rolls, with foamed polyethylene acting as an excellent heat insulator and aluminum providing perfect protection. It goes without saying that installing pipe thermal insulation with its assistance won’t be difficult.

Advantages and disadvantages of individual insulation

Every kind of insulation has benefits and drawbacks. Thus, it is worthwhile to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of insulation separately.

Mineral wool

This traditional insulation is very well-liked and holds the top spot among rolled materials. And this is due to a number of factors:

• high heat insulation;
• resistance to aggressive environment;
• does not rot;
• Not afraid of rodents;
• can be used when warming heating pipes, with a high coolant temperature;
• low cost.

The main drawback of mineral wool is that it absorbs moisture due to its hygroscopic nature. It is therefore necessary to use a waterproofing device when using it, as it will lose all of its properties when wet.

Penoizole

Penoizole can be used to achieve seamless pipeline insulation, unlike rolled materials. Among the benefits, you should emphasize:

• excellent thermal insulation – 12 % higher than that of cotton wool and 8 % higher than foam;
• no additional mount and waterproofing are required;
• biologically stable (not afraid of rodents and insects).

The primary disadvantage is that special equipment is required for its use.

Foam polystyrene

The Polistyle foam shell is fastened to the pipe surface using clamps or tape. A tight connection is made possible by the grooves in each section. withstands compression and break loads.

However, waterproofing will need to be created because the material is hygroscopic and is destroyed by carbon fluids. The difficulty of installation when turning the highway is another drawback. You must cut the insulation to give it the appropriate shape.

Foam polyethylene

This content is from a new generation. Its closed-pore structure offers the following benefits:

• low thermal conductivity;
• moisture resistance;
• does not rot;
• Simple installation.

Is offered in tubes or as a canvas with a foil coating on one or both sides. The pipe is encircled with striped polyethylene foam. You can add more layers of waterproofing and thermal insulation when there is a foil layer present.

Thermal insulation paint

A fairly recent development in thermal insulation. Even when applied thinly, a unique formula developed by Russian scientists gives you the best possible outcome. Applying thermal painting requires the use of a brush or spray gun. For locations that are difficult to access, this is simply a necessary choice. The primary disadvantage is the expensive price, which is many times more than that of other insulation.

As you can see, there is a wide variety of materials available for street heating pipe insulation.

The qualities of the material should be considered first when making a decision, followed by the installation’s complexity. Finally, consider the cost.

Keep in mind that inexpensive insulation can easily become useless, meaning your money was wasted.

Video: Species comparison in pipic insulation

The main types of heat insulators

The buyer’s specific requests, budget, and climate all play a role in the insulator choice. For these criteria, the best tubular and roller thermal insulators are chosen.

Mineral wool

Using mineral wool and foamed polyethylene for pipe insulation

Minvata is a widely used insulating material. It is reasonably strong and useful.

Mineral wool comes in various forms:

• Made of basalt. Differs in high resistance to heating (up to 600 ° C). Does not enter into a chemical reaction with pipes, does not emit harmful substances when heated.
• Fiberglass. The basis is quartz sand. It is used only for external decoration of external pipes. There are temperature restrictions – up to 200 ° C.

Because mineral wool absorbs a lot of moisture, it loses some of its insulating qualities. Waterproofing is a must to prevent this. The sheets of roofing material, which are wrapped around the highway, are used as materials for water protection. The simplest and most practical method of isolation is this one. Roll minvata is bought for pipes.

Well-known material brands include Wilatter, Jermaflex, Energoflex, and others.

Styrofoam

A unique form-fitting foam is made for the pipes’ external finish, mirroring the highway’s geometry. A ring with two parts is the most typical shape. Although the material nearly never absorbs moisture, extra waterproofing is still necessary. A robust foam shell adheres firmly to the pipe. generated in blue and gray.

Foamed insulation

Rubber foam

Utilized in the production of this type of insulation are:

• rubber;
• polystyrene foam;
• polyurethane.

A heater is designed to resemble a case with a cut on it for ease of installation. After installation, this cut must be made with glue to prevent moisture from entering.

Reflecting pipes winding

Pipe insulation made of foil

Foam is used for the external reflecting winding of street pipes. Heat reflection from the insulation’s mirror surface is the basic working principle. These materials include minvat, foam rubber, porlex, and other heaters; the top must be covered with foil. On a solid wire, fixation is performed.

The primary purposes of this kind of pipeline insulation are:

• reflection of warm flows;
• wind protection;
• Do not let cold and moisture.

Thermal insulation paint

Insulation covering the heating main made of pear-based coating

Heat-insulating paint is an extremely effective and lightweight insulation method. It takes just a few millimeters of paint to completely cover the pipe. enables you to finish by replacing thick layers of additional insulation.

Sprayed insulation

Among the best methods for warming pipes is this one. The procedure is swift, and the insulation is dependable and of excellent quality. Since there are no joints or seams, there is no chance that moisture or wind will get inside the pipes.

The primary drawback of this finish is how challenging it is to install insulation in heating pipelines. Work requires specific training and specialized equipment.

What thermal insulation to choose for heating pipes overview and description

At first glance, insulation for heating system pipes seems to be crucial only for large boiler houses that cater to a big customer base. However, losses in a private home may be substantial. Imagine this: a conditionally equivalent square meter of pipeline with a temperature differential inside that produces approximately 70 W/h when the temperature drops below 10 °C. Good insulation is the only way to prevent losses from growing proportionately as the gap ∆t increases.

The necessity of pipe insulation

One thing is different if the heating pipeline is located in a residential building and supplies energy to the occupants; in this scenario, it functions as a small-area radiator and doesn’t require protection. But heat can be used for other things if the circuit is installed in a concrete screed. Energy is utterly wasted outside, and the temperature differential in a chilly basement can cause condensate loss and metal communications to corrode.

Any pipe heater should have very high technical specifications.

• Density ≤ 400 kg/m3.
• Thermal conductivity ≤ 0.037 W/m ∙ ° C.
• Thermal resistance – not lower than +130 ° C.
• Water absorption of not more than 1%if we are talking about steel pipes.
• Warming of insulation – NG or G1.
• High specific electrical use of insulation.
• Resistance to aggressive chemicals and biocorrosion.

If the pipes in your heating system are not housed in a heated room, then thermal insulation is a must. Rejecting it can have unpleasant repercussions, and the entire loss won’t be as innocuous. In the worst case, exposed sections of the circuit will simply freeze and depressurize, necessitating the replacement of the entire damaged section. Don’t abandon thermal insulation, then. We will therefore focus our review on selecting appropriate options for heating pipes.

In two months, a clever counter that conserves electricity is purchased!

Material	Advantages
Fiberglass insulation	Effective insulation, resistant to moisture
Foam insulation	Lightweight, easy to install, good thermal resistance
Polyethylene foam	Flexible, waterproof, affordable option

For outdoor heating pipes to remain efficient and stop heat loss, the proper thermal insulation selection is essential. There are numerous materials out there, each with pros and cons of their own.

Fiberglass insulation is a common option for insulating outdoor pipes because of its low cost and ability to stop heat loss. Because of its flexibility, installing it around pipes of various sizes and shapes is simple. But in order to avoid moisture damage, it’s crucial to make sure that the weatherproofing is adequate.

Foam insulation is an additional choice; it offers superior thermal resistance and is impervious to moisture and ultraviolet light. Foam insulation offers versatility in application and comes in various forms, such as spray foam and rigid foam boards. Because of its toughness, it can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.

Mineral wool insulation is a non-combustible option for areas where fire safety is a concern. It has advantages for soundproofing and efficient thermal insulation. Its fire-resistant qualities make it a worthwhile option for some applications, even though it is a little more expensive than alternatives.

By reflecting radiant heat, reflective insulation—which is made of layers of foil or metallic material—is incredibly effective at lowering heat transfer. Being lightweight and simple to install, it’s a sensible option for insulating outdoor pipes. However, in very cold climates, it might not offer enough insulation.

Weather exposure, durability, fire safety, and ease of installation are all important considerations when choosing thermal insulation for outdoor heating pipes. You can extend the life of your heating system, minimize heat loss, and increase energy efficiency by selecting the appropriate material and making sure it is installed correctly.

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