Is all Insulation the Same?
Pipe and tank insulation is designed to reduce heat loss to the atmosphere and improve heating systems performance. There are different materials in use - each of which have varying effectiveness, measured by “R Value”. R Value is defined as an insulating materials resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.
In selecting the correct insulation for your application, here are things to consider:
Budget - materials vary greatly in terms of cost with fiberglass having the highest R-value and also the most expensive. A specific material is often available in different wall thickness, thereby affecting R-value and budgets as well.
Indoor or outdoor application - not all material is weather resistant and in some cases, you may need to install cladding on top of the actual insulation to protect the insulation from the elements
Availability of rebates - your local utilities may have programs in place to incentivize adding insulation to reduce gas/electricity cost
