Should you insulate your water pipes?
For most homeowners, insulating a home's hot water pipes is a reasonably easy decision. When you can buy efficient insulating pipe sleeves for a few dollars, it's hard to resist simple energy savings that will pay off for years. But not all homeowners know about this easy efficiency booster — or why you might want to insulate your cold water pipes, as well.
For hot water pipes
First, the obvious: Insulating your hot water pipes will help keep your hot water temperature down. If you have a traditional water heater, you are already paying to keep that hot water on standby. With the benefit of pipe insulation, the hot water waiting in your pipes will cool down more slowly.
Quality insulation can add a few degrees to the actual temperature of domestic water, so if you like things particularly hot when showering or washing dishes, pipe insulation is worth it. It also saves water, as it will shorten the time it takes for the water coming out of your appliances to reach the desired temperature.
And if you hear a loud popping noise when you turn on your hot water, your metal pipes could be expanding with the flow of heat. This rattling noise can be a nuisance for some homeowners, and pipe insulation can help quiet things down.
What about cold water pipes?
Suppose your cold water lines run through a part of your home that doesn't have temperature controls. In that case, whether it's an unfinished basement or a section of pipe exposed to the outdoor elements — you risk freezing pipes in the winter. . This can cause a big mess and an even bigger repair expense. But simple, inexpensive insulation can help prevent this from happening.
During the summer, these sections of pipe can also be exposed to outside heat, which can be transferred to your cold water source. Unless you want your cold water faucet pouring hot water all summer long, pipe insulation can help here too.
Another benefit of insulating your cold water pipes is to prevent condensation. In high-humidity environments, metal pipes filled with cold water will be covered with condensation. As these droplets accumulate, they fall on whatever is below. If you store priceless keepsakes in your basement under uninsulated water pipes, this moisture could produce destructive results.
DIY or full service
Installing your own water pipe insulation is often as simple as purchasing sleeves, cutting them to length, and securing them in place with tape. But some hard-to-reach sections of pipe can be a job for a professional, experienced plumber. If you embark on this project and discover that you need the expertise of a professional, contact the plumbing professionals in Massachusetts today.
CALL TODAY AT 877-209-4139.
We collaborate with Local Plumber Fairfax, VA, 24Hr Emergency Services, Plumber Prince Georges, Emergency Plumber Massachusetts, Plumber Washington-DC, Plumber Philadelphia, Plumber Bergen, Plumber Boston, Plumber Jacksonville, Drainage Service, Plumber Middlesex, MA, Plumber Maryland, Local Plumber Richmond, and Emergency Plumber 24H.

Comments
Post a Comment