How to Insulate Ductwork and Pipes

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Pipes and ductwork need insulation as much as your exterior walls do. Poorly insulated ductwork can lose heat, reduce air conditioning effectiveness and cost you money. Uninsulated pipes usually sweat, leave water marks and make your water heater work overtime. In the winter, an uninsulated pipe can freeze and burst. Here's how to insulate those pipes to make them more efficient and avoid any messy floods.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Use a fiber board type of ductwork for insulation purposes. The fiber board is similar to a solid foam sheet insulation with a foil outer layer. This type of fiber board for ductwork can easily be scored and shaped to fit available openings. It is sealed with duct tape and the heat and air conditioning will stay in the ductwork instead of seeping out.

Step2

Hire a reputable contractor to do the ductwork in your home, if you are not comfortable doing it yourself; make sure you check the type of ductwork he is installing so it gives the most insulation value.

Step3

Paint on pipe insulation can be applied to pipes before they are installed; it is more difficult to paint pipes with an even coverage when they are installed.

Step4

Wrap-on pipe insulation is also available; it is especially good for a tight space. Make sure the wrap-on insulation overlaps the previous layer and is tightly wrapped.

Step5

Use fiberglass batts to wrap pipes; make sure the whole pipe is covered and the previous layer is overlapped. Secure the end of the batt and seams with duct tape. Fiberglass batt insulation is great for difficult spaces and tight turns in the pipe.

Step6

Buy the hollow core foam insulation pipe coverings. This is sold in lengths and is pre-cut down the middle. Foam insulation covers are the easiest to install, just pry open at the slit and wrap the pipe; it will self-seal. When two pieces meet, tape the ends together. Foam insulation covers work great for long lengths of pipe.