1. Q: Do you do any other type of insulation besides piping and HVAC, such as wall insulation, or blown-in insulation?
A: Thermo-Dynamics focuses all of our energies into piping and HVAC insulation only.
2. Q: Why should I insulate my home or office?
A: According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for over 50 percent of the energy used in the average American home. About 20 percent of that goes for heating water. Lighting and appliances and everything else account for only 10 to 30 percent of the energy used in most residences. Unless your home was constructed with special attention to energy efficiency, adding insulation will reduce your utility bills. Many homes are not insulated enough, and older homes are even more likely to use more energy, leading to very high heating and air-conditioning bills. Even if you own a new home, adding insulation may save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself within a few years, continue to save you money for as long as you own the home, and increase the resale value of your house.
3. Q: How does insulation help control condensation?
A: According to the National Insulation Association, when piping and equipment operate at temperatures lower than the ambient air, moisture in the air will condense, or freeze, on or within the insulation surface - or on the cold pipe surface. Unless the system is protected by sufficient thickness and by adequate vapor retarders, the insulation can become wet, causing corrosion, and causing it to become ineffective.
Specifying sufficient insulation thickness with an effective vapor retarder system is the most effective means of providing a system for controlling condensation on the membrane surface and within the insulation system on cold piping, ducts, chillers and roof drains.
Sufficient insulation thickness is needed to keep the surface temperature of the membrane above the highest possible design dewpoint temperature of the ambient air so condensation does not form on the surface. The effective vapor retarder system is needed to restrict moisture migration into the system through the facing, joints, seams, penetrations, hangers, and supports. By controlling condensation, the system designer may control the potential for:
- Degrading system service life and performance.
- Mold growth and the potential for health problems resulting from water condensate.
- Corrosion of pipes, valves and fittings caused by water collected and contained within insulation system.
4. Q: How do you determine which is the right protective covering and finish?
A: The efficiency and service of insulation is directly dependent upon its protection from moisture entry and mechanical and chemical damage. Choices of jacketing and finish materials are based upon the mechanical, chemical, thermal and moisture conditions of the installation, as well a cost and appearance requirements. Protective coverings are divided into six functional types:
- Weather Barriers
- Vapor Retarders
- Mechanical Abuse Coverings
- Corrosion and Fire Resistant Coverings
- Appearance Coverings and Finishes
- Hygienic Coverings
5. Q: How do you choose the right insulation for the job?
A: According to the National Insulation Association, finding the 'right' insulation begins with asking some basic questions such as:
- What is the operating or line temperature of the system your customer needs to insulation?
In general, systems needing insulation can be divided into three temperature ranges:
Low Temperature Range (-100°F to 60°F) Refrigeration, cold/chilled water and commercial heating and cooling systems.
Medium Temperature Range (61°F to 600°F) Hot water and steam, power/process piping, ovens and stacks.
High Temperature Range (601°F to 1500°F) Power generation, turbines, kilns, smelters, exhaust systems and power piping.
- Is the system outdoors or indoors - or a combination of both?
This will help you determine whether or not the system and the insulation needs protection from weather, corrosive atmospheres, water or chemical washdowns, abuse or other conditions.
- Is the ambient temperature constant...or will it fluctuate?
The answer to this question will guide you in the selection of the appropriate thickness to protect against condensation, heat loss or gain or other temperature control problems.”
6. Q: What are the insulation selection criteria for high temperature systems?
A: Examples of super hot systems include high pressure steam lines, process lines, exhaust systems, or any systems that operate at temperatures from 601°F to 1500°F. Reducing heat loss and protecting personnel is the primary reason for installing insulation in hot environments.
There are insulations specially designed for high temperature systems - and selecting the right one should be based on the unique requirements of the system you are insulating. Be sure to examine the insulation thermal values and other performance values carefully. In addition, you may want to ask the following questions before providing an insulation recommendation:
- What is the process?
- What are the process temperatures?
- What's in the process and in the exterior environment?
- Is the piping located around people?
- Is fire an issue?
7. Q: Will Thermo-Dynamics give me an energy evaluation?
A: We would be happy to evaluate the thermal performance of your mechanical and/or process systems. We could:
- A. Translate your BTU losses into actual dollar savings for your company
- Improve process control and efficiency
- Reduce fuel cost
- Eliminate unsightly damage to walls and ceilings
