Heatpump external copper pipe insulation

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CokemonZ

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#146921 2-Jun-2014 20:38

Hi all,

We've recently moved house and the new place has a couple of heatpumps.
Well the dog has gone and chewed the insulation off the copper pipes.

I've looked online (At places like heatiq http://www.heatiq.co.nz/pipe-insulation-xidg39912.html) but none of the insulation looks the same.

It is in the the sun a lot of the time, so needs to be uv stabilised, where there insulation is limited.

Any ideas of where I should look?

raytaylor

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#1058234 2-Jun-2014 20:57

It should be in the standard foam wrapping. I think the warehouse or most plumbing trade stores sell it. You just wrap it around and use cable ties to hold it in place.

Then the whole set of pipes and wiring should be within a UV stabalised PV pipe or duct - to prevent the dog from getting to it.

Have you got pictures?

Ray Taylor

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Niel

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#1058237 2-Jun-2014 21:05

There is a special aircon twin pipe you buy with the insulation and a jacket already fitted. Don't know if you get the aircon pipe insulation separate, might have to contact an installer. But you could use hot water cylinder pipe insulation (as someone suggested) or even car exhaust pipe wrap. Don't think you need that much insulation, basically the heat is pumped when pressure changes not when the gas is carried through the pipe. The bit of condensation is just small inefficiencies combined with NZ's high humidity.

BTW in our previous/old home I've use swimming pool "noodles" to cheaply insulate copper pipes - not as well as the real deal but not bad at all. You do get the real stuff with a double sided tape applied (think it was on TradeMe), it seals much better than cable ties.

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CokemonZ

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#1058246 2-Jun-2014 21:18

Thanks guys. Only some of the insulation is in plastic tubing. Some is exposed, specifically around corners.

It's a bit dark to get photos will do tomorrow. Looked at mitre10 but the diameter was to large, that's why heat IQ.

I didn't see any presplit with tape, I'll have alook.

Cheers for the heads up about minimal efficiency loss - makes the job a little less urgent.

When I've reinsulated, I'm thinking about wrapping with chicken wire - keep the dog off it :)

timmmay

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#1058332 3-Jun-2014 07:49

Call up a heat pump installer and ask to buy some.

Niel

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#1058676 3-Jun-2014 17:13

Looks like the proper pre-insulated twin pipe is $200 for 10m.
Here is the pre-split insulation, looks like it has double sided tape but might be worth asking: http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/heating-cooling/insulation/auction-736653684.htm

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CokemonZ

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#1061665 9-Jun-2014 10:37

Niel: Looks like the proper pre-insulated twin pipe is $200 for 10m.
Here is the pre-split insulation, looks like it has double sided tape but might be worth asking: http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/heating-cooling/insulation/auction-736653684.htm

That stuff looks great.
Thanks, looks easier than true DIY.

BTR

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#1063221 11-Jun-2014 10:26

I had this same issue apart with my dog plus he chewed the drain hose and pulled out the control cable before it was wired up....