ECM: Space Heating & Cooling

Information by State  Print version   CAUTION STATEMENT TURN OFF UTILITIES: Turn off electricity, gas, propane, and other utilities before starting repairs, cleaning, or installations to avoid accident or injury. BE AWARE OF LEAD-BASED PAINT HAZARDS: Many residences built before 1978 have paint that contains lead, which can pose a serious health hazard if paint, chips, and dust are not handled properly. See the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead brief before disturbing painted surfaces in homes of this vintage. Follow the HUD “Lead-Safe Housing Rule” for requirements for notification, evaluation and reduction of lead-based paint hazards. BE AWARE OF ASBESTOS HAZARDS: Homes older than 1977 may have building products that contain asbestos such as insulation, high-temperature gaskets, roofing and siding shingles, and vinyl sheet flooring. See the EPA asbestos brief before disturbing such materials. BE AWARE OF MOLD AND MOISTURE HAZARDS: Molds can gradually destroy materials they grow on; can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people; can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold; and can cause other serious health problems. To learn more about preventing and cleaning up mold in homes, see these mold guides and the EPA brief on What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas.

H7. Insulate Hot Water or Steam Pipes

Description

Heat loss from heating system distribution pipes in unheated spaces can be substantial. All hot water or steam pipes running through unheated spaces, such as the basement, crawlspace, or the mechanical room, should be insulated. If piping is already insulated but the insulation is badly worn, it should be replaced.

Pipe insulation can be either rigid fiberglass or flexible foam. Flexible foam insulation is generally less expensive than fiberglass, but it does not last as long and can become brittle and ineffective at very high temperatures.

Applicability

• Single-family and multifamily buildings with hot water or steam heating systems
• Uninsulated hot water or steam pipes 

Types

• Rigid fiberglass
• Flexible foam

Considerations

• Select pipe insulation with the correct internal diameter to decrease heat lose through gaps.
• Pipes used to provide heat to a space, such as radiators, should not be insulated.
• Pipe insulation should be heat resistant and should be able to withstand the maximum temperature of the pipe.

Performance/Economics

• Flexible foam insulation with a 3/8-inch inside diameter and 1/2 inch thickness has an 8.70 R-value. (You cannot compare R-values calculated for flat surfaces with R-values calculated for radial surfaces. They are not the same!)

Resources/Links

Energy Conservation for Housing – A Workbook, HUD, September 1998. Pages 7-67 through 7-70 address insulating hot water and steam pipes.

Energy Performance Contracting for Public and Indian Housing: A Guide for Participants, HUD, February 1992.