Thermal Insulation

Most home thermal systems are used for heating water or indoor air. Regardless of the type of system, proper thermal insulation is vital to system performance. The two primary components that need insulation are the piping and storage tank. Especially for solar hot water systems, a properly insulated water tank is a must-have. Solar hot water tanks should have built-in insulation. Others may need to be wrapped in an insulation blanket. Copper tubing, a staple in plumbing, should always be insulated. Some plastic tubing may not be.

There are several types of thermal insulation, from the classic and inexpensive foam rubber to newer products like fleece insulation made from polyester fibers. There is, of course, fiberglass insulation made for pipes and water tanks. There's even pipe insulation with low-current electrical wires running through it that give off heat. These are not recommended, however, because they waste electricity, which is especially counterproductive when you're installing a thermal heating system to save energy.

Proper thermal insulation is invaluable to any thermal system. Insulation for a hot water system improves efficiency and reduces the wait for hot water at the faucet. A radiant floor system will not use insulation for its tubing because the tubes are meant to radiate heat, although a layer of thermal insulation is essential beneath the floor joists through which the tubing runs (assuming the tubes are not embedded in concrete) to ensure all the heat radiates upward into the living space. The following articles address the many variables to thermal insulation, including types and applications. Of all the intricate and technical components that make a thermal heating system work, proper insulation is that essential finishing touch.