Specifically, it's a Bradford White RE2H80T6-1NCWT 80 Gallon AeroTherm Heat Pump Water Heater, 240 Volt/4500 Watts. Do you need to have a clearance between where the hot-water-out pipe leaves the tank, or can you put insulation foam over the entire visible stretch of pipe?
Comments
UEmd OP t1_j6n2y8c wrote
Thanks
magaoitin t1_j6n1e41 wrote
If you can see the pipe, you can insulate it. there are no setbacks or gaps you need to worry about. You can even go so far as wrapping the entire water heater with an insulation blanket and sealing your pipe insulation to the tank wrap.
https://www.amazon.com/Insulation-FIBERGLASS-Certified-Satisfaction-Guaranteed/dp/B0041871AY
Tank wraps are more for older, less efficient tanks, or if they are in unconditioned spaces.
CletusDSpuckler t1_j6nb7hf wrote
My brand new tank specifically says an insulating wrap is not needed and voids the warranty.
magaoitin t1_j6otyi3 wrote
Yea 99% of the new tanks out there do not need any additional insulation on the tank. All of the energy efficiency requirements that have to meet put them in a much different category than even a tank that is 10 years old. It's the pre-2000 tanks that have been well maintained and are still working that can benefit from a tank wrap.
UEmd OP t1_j6n3cbj wrote
Many thanks. The tank is very new and feels rather cool, so internally insulated as per the diagrams I have seen.
NagromYargTrebloc t1_j6njxai wrote
I have never understood the wisdom of insulating a few feet of hot water pipe from the tank to where it disappears into the inaccessible reaches of the house upstream. In my case, I have only about 4' of 1/2" copper hot water pipe below a finished ceiling. That only about 1 pint of water.
Never insulate cold water lines. The insulation will trap condensation and hold it against the pipe. Two things can happen: 1. Legionella bacteria can be formed, and 2. U.I.C. can happen causing pinhole leaks.
UEmd OP t1_j6npi1b wrote
Isn't the concern that too close to the tank can potentially obstruct flue if tank is fuel heated?
magaoitin t1_j6ous9g wrote
I agree. I have only ever insulated hot water lines when they enter an unconditioned/vented, or uninsulated crawlspace.
That being said, there is no reason you cannot insulate from the tank to the wall. Just not sure what benefit it has.
Maybe if it was new construction and you are insulating to get a zero offset heat waste for being as "green" as possible you could insulate 100% of your hot water lines, but at that point you are probably insulating all the interior walls because you already drank the Kool-Aid™ of "perfectly" insulated and sealed home construction.
Ok-Apricot-3156 t1_j6n1e0f wrote
Use tube isolation and put tonzon foil around it, never insulate cold water pipes as it increases the risk of legionella
UEmd OP t1_j6n3297 wrote
That's why- I see this rec everywhere but no one ever mentions it's due to Legionella.
Bott t1_j6n4vj0 wrote
Do you mean don't insulate the cold water pipes in your home, or don't insulate the cold water pipe going into the water heater?
I found that the cold water pipe (about 1 or 2 feet of it) going into the water heater was warm, and I insulated that. Should I remove that 1 or 2 feet of insulation?
Yanosh457 t1_j6n093a wrote
No space needed.