Looking for external pipe insulation.....

[ProDave]

To insulate the pipes from the house to the ASHP

 

All I seem to be able to find is the normal foam stuff. I can't believe that will be any good outside for long, and the mice will eat it anyway.

 

I want something properly rated for outside use, that won't turn to dust and won't get eaten.

 

All the usual outlets, the sheds, BES etc don't have anything.  Bhe best I can find is this, but it looks pathetically thin. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXTERNAL-INSULATION-FOR-USE-WITH-PEX-AL-PEX-COPPER-PLASTIC-PIPE-10-METER-LONG/142498377460?hash=item212d90aef4:m:mK9vmX0SOEaVH7M3-B-diAA

 

What do the rest of you use? why is it so hard to find?

[PeterW]

You need to use Nitrile Rubber so Armaflex or InsulTube. 

 

All are suitable but the preference should be one that is also UV rated which the solar ones tend to be. 

 

Armaflex

 

[ProDave]

Se will the nitrile rubber survive the tendancies or rodents to eat anything vaguely plastic?

 

As always it's knowing the trade names. You would think the sellers would refine their search engines so this comes up when you search for "outside insulation"

[newhome]

11 minutes ago, ProDave said:

So will the nitrile rubber survive the tendancies of rodents to eat anything vaguely plastic?

 

 

I don't think the stuff I've got here looks very rodent proof TBH. Can't you wrap it with something like aluminium foil tape afterwards as a deterrent?

 

 

[ProDave]

Still struggling

 

I have found this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/new-4M-ARMAFLEX-HIGH-TEMP-solar-copper-MDPE-pipe-tube-A-C-Insulation-lagging-UK/122801904482?hash=item1c97905b62:m:mQh2N7BMledKQZKkAMSS2CQ

 

That's flippin expensive. (I need about 6 metres so that one would not be long enough)

 

BES don't have Armaflex or that other one. I keep finding "Class O Nitrile insulation" but it doesn't mention outdoor use https://www.bes.co.uk/class-o-insulation-tube-7-8in-x-25-mm-x-2-m#product-details-tab

 

Would that one be okay if I did as   @newhome suggests and wrap it in aluminium tape?

[PeterW]

@ProDave JTM sell it as per the link - £2 a metre for the solar stuff. 

 

None of it is rodent proof but you could wrap it with something like duct tape but they will eat that too ... tbh if they are eating that, they are hungry ..!

[newhome]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ANTI-RODENT-RATS-MICE-ELECTRICAL-DETERRENT-INSULATION-TAPE-CABLES-WIRING-PIPES-/282336801801

 

 

[Onoff]

Any aircon or ducting manufacturers near you? They might roll you a length of ali or zinc sheet you could prime & paint?

[Onoff]

Is there any possibility of running the ASHP pipes underground / in a hidden duct?

Edited May 28, 2018 by Onoff

[ProDave]

No way too late for that, that would have required thought when the foundations were going in.

[Onoff]

I'll email a chiller lad I know from site in the morning. He fits GSHPs. Maybe he'll know the name.

 

Edit: I've had a beer, I meant ref your dosing pot thing!

 

Edited May 28, 2018 by Onoff