Benefits of Insulating Water Pipes
Whether you live in warm, cold, or temperature fluctuating climates, there are benefits to insulating both hot and cold-water pipes.
Cold Water Pipes
- Keeps water cold: For homes located in warmer climates keeping water cold can be a challenge if pipes are located in areas of the home that are not climate controlled (basements, crawl spaces, garages), or if they are exposed to the outside. Insulating the cold-water pipe will help keep the water nice and cool.
- Keeps water from freezing: Water freezes whether it is cold or hot. Again, if your water pipes are in an area without climate control they are at risk of freezing. Insulating them will protect them from freezing temperatures around them.
- Condensation Prevention: Cold water pipes that are exposed to humid conditions develop condensation. That condensation then falls on anything located below it. This can cause water damage and lead to mold growth. Insulating the pipes will prevent he cold from the pipe interacting with the warmth in the air, and therefore prevent condensation.
Hot Water Pipes
- Keeps water from freezing: Believe it or not, but hot water freezes faster than cold water. This scientifically documented occurrence is called the Mpemba effect. Because hot water freezes faster than cold water, hot water pipes are more at risk of bursting. Hot water pipes that are exposed to cold should definitely be insulated.
- Keeps hot water hot: When you turn on the hot water your water heater releases hot water for you to use. However, sometimes when you turn that hot water faucet on the water takes a while to warm up. That is because the hot water that was sitting in the pipe between the hot water tank and the faucet cooled down and now you must wait for the traditional hot water tank to generate and release hot water. Insulating the hot water pipes will help reduce the speed at which the water cools and keeps the hot water traveling from the water heater to the pipe hot. In fact, after insulating your pipes you may discover that the hot water coming from the faucet is hotter than normally because it hasn’t lost heat while traveling.
- Saves money and the environment: When the water in the pipe stays warm longer it reduces the amount of time you will need to run the faucet to reach your desired temperature. This reduces the amount of water used and therefore reduces your water bill and preserves water.
- May stop pipe banging noise: If your pipes bang and clatter when you run the hot water it may be because your metal pipes are expanding. Insulating your pipes may dampen the noise and reduce some of that expansion and contraction.
Insulating your pipes is easy and cheap! Exposed piping is very easy to insulate. It is as simple as buying insulating pipe sleeves from your local hardware store and placing them over the pipes. Insulating pipe sleeves are cheap and slip right around the pipe easily. It’s a quick weekend job and will offer money-saving benefits and protection for years to come. If there are pipes you are concerned about that are out of reach you may need to call a professional. We have the equipment and know how to get to them. Don’t hesitate to call Reichelt Plumbing if you need help or have a question.