Poorly Insulated Hydronic Piping Systems

The below depicted Hydronic Piping Systems have popped up in recent years as an economical solution to the more expensive Factory Built Insulated Hydronic Piping Systems on the market.

Their solution addresses the moisture proofing of the system with a non-perforated weeping tile used as a jacket to the system. The issue is their solution does not provide the required air spacing that is required to be used in conjunction with Bubble Foil Insulation requirements in order to deliver an reasonable insulating value!

I think that most consumers can understand the likely fact that the pulling of a bubble wrapped piping through a corrugated weeping tile will likely result in a good percentage of the air bubbles that give the wrap an R-1.1 rating are going to be broke and popped (the number one reason foil bubble insulation is not to be used under concrete slabs as an insulation!).

The insulated hydronic piping system depicted to the left provides adequate moisture to the environment but inadequate insulation to the environment and between the supply & return piping. The piping used in this system is PEX-Al-PEX

As per Bubble Foil Insulation requirements and specs the depicted insulation system will only provide R-3.3 to the environment and R-1.1 between the supply and return pipes.

The insulated hydronic piping system depicted to the left provides adequate moisture to the environment but inadequate insulation to the environment and between the supply & return piping. The piping used in this system is Hydronic PEX

As per Bubble Foil Insulation requirements and specs the depicted insulation system will only provide R-2.2 to the environment and R-1.1 between the supply and return pipes.

The insulated hydronic piping system depicted to the left provides adequate moisture to the environment but inadequate insulation to the environment and between the supply & return piping. The piping used in this system is PEX-Al-PEX

As per Bubble Foil Insulation requirements and specs the depicted insulation system will only provide R-4.4 to the environment and no insulation between the supply and return pipes.