©2025 This excerpt taken from the article of the same name which appeared in ASHRAE Journal, vol. 67, No. 12, December 2025.
Pipe Insulation 101: Fundamentals and Basics
By Darrell Peil, Associate Member ASHRAE
Darrell Peil is specifications/business development manager, commercial and industrial,
Knauf Insulation North America, Shelbyville, Ind.
Pipe insulation has been essential for mechanical systems for decades, improving energy efficiency, safety and system performance. Without it, energy consumption is 85% to 90% higher,* condensation and microbial growth become rampant, hot systems present hazards and water systems freeze routinely. Despite being a simple, cost-effective solution, pipe insulation is often overlooked until problems arise. As many new professionals enter the field, understanding its uses and impact is crucial.
Pipe insulation provides thermal and acoustic control, without requiring the addition of any energizing force or routine maintenance, and offers a short-term payback with long-term performance and savings. Recommendations and information surrounding the use of pipe insulation are detailed in the 2025 ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals, Chapter 23, Insulation for Mechanical Systems. This chapter is maintained by ASHRAE Technical Committee 1.8, Mechanical Systems Insulation. Pipe insulation, a thermal and acoustical energy transfer control medium, is formed into a tubular shape to fit the outside diameter of the pipe. Commonly, the pipes or tubes are made of steel, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), cross linked polyethylene (PEX) and polypropylene random copolymer (PPR). Pipe insulation is produced in sizes to fit the outside diameters of most types, including those sized in Imperial or U.S. Customary units (inches) or International System units (SI or metric).
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