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Seal the Deal: Don't Let Your Heat Pump Leak Energy

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Mars
 Mars
(@editor)
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@johnmo not entirely sure I agree. Heat loss is still heat loss, regardless of whether the pipes are inside a heated environment or not. Insulating the pipes ensures that the heat is used more effectively where it’s needed, especially in a low and slow single zone system. Why would I want to heat my plant room? The goal should be to maximise efficiency, and pipe insulation is one way to help with that.

Of course, different situations might warrant different approaches, so I appreciate the perspective and will check out what Heat Geek has to say on the matter too.

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(@johnmo)
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Posted by: @editor

@johnmo not entirely sure I agree. Heat loss is still heat loss, regardless of whether the pipes are inside a heated environment or not. Insulating the pipes ensures that the heat is used more effectively where it’s needed, especially in a low and slow single zone system. Why would I want to heat my plant room? The goal should be to maximise efficiency, and pipe insulation is one way to help with that.
Of course, different situations might warrant different approaches, so I appreciate the perspective and will check out what Heat Geek has to say on the matter too.

Heat loss is still heat loss, - not entirely correct, if within the thermal envelope it either contributes to the heat emitter surface area via the pipe surface area, and or balances the hot and cooler areas (voids etc) so heat doesn't migrate away from area where the radiator is.
Insulate DHW duty pipes, as these would heat the house in summer - not good 
It's a heat geek video on YouTube.
 

This post was modified 6 months ago by Mars

Maxa i32V5 6kW ASHP (heat and cooling)
6.5kW PV
13.5kW GivEnergy AIO Battery.


   
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bontwoody
(@bontwoody)
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4863 kWhs
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@jamespa I bought a pair of these for my anti freeze valves.
-- Attachment is not available --
https://www.bes.co.uk/primary-pro-insulation-for-28mm-anti-freeze-valve-26215/?srsltid=AfmBOoorh-4WIzAjeoCU76_wv1E1cCJNuh4sRi8EoTD1OWIHmSIGqPbN

This post was modified 6 months ago by Mars

House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60


   
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 Rod
(@rod)
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Any recommendations on reasonably priced exterior insulation or alternate methods to insulate - e.g. boxing in the exterior pipes and using something else to insulate other than foam? I have about 20m of pipe and am seeing prices of £17 per meter so a £350 cost. My installers used standard grey foam interior pipe insulation on the outside pipes, I didn't know enough to challenge them and it's quickly degraded.

This post was modified 4 months ago by Mars

   
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bontwoody
(@bontwoody)
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@rod 28mm Primary Pro is just under £10 per metre (ex vat) at BES, Rod

This post was modified 4 months ago by bontwoody

House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60


   
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 Rod
(@rod)
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Posts: 24
 

Many thanks - that is a saving, but still seems pretty high! Has anyone found inexpensive solutions to exterior insulation where there is the ability to cheaply box-in the pipework over whatever is insulating them?

This post was modified 4 months ago by Mars

   
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bontwoody
(@bontwoody)
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@rod Well as long as you are boxing the pipes in, I suppose a closed cell expanding foam might work well. Dont use an open cell one though, I tried that in my early heat pump years and when I came to remove it, the whole thing was full of water 😲

This post was modified 4 months ago by Mars

House-2 bed partial stone bungalow, 5kW Samsung Gen 6 ASHP (Self install)
6.9 kWp of PV
5kWh DC coupled battery
Blog: https://thegreeningofrosecottage.weebly.com/
Heatpump Stats: http://heatpumpmonitor.org/system/view?id=60


   
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(@allyfish)
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4087 kWhs
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Posts: 466
 

Weekend upgrade, Primary Pro done properly, unlike my installer’s attempt. Less heating the street hopefully 😉

IMG 5788

 

 


   
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