Pipe and Duct Insulation

For example, uninsulated or poorly insulated ducts for heating systems running through a cold attic, crawlspace, or basement can lose most of the heat even before the air gets to the area of the home for which it was intended.

Even when the temperature difference is not great, the heat loss can be substantial. For example, hot water pipes running through walls in a heated home may be only twice as hot as the air in the home (135○F versus 68○F), but the water can lose much of its heat before it reaches the shower if it runs through uninsulated or poorly insulated hot water lines.

Pipe and duct insulation comes in sizes common for pipes and ducts and is made from a wide variety of materials with varying degrees of flexibility and resistance to heat flow. Low-emissivity surfaces are either built into the insulation or can be added for additional performance by reducing heat transfer.