Do my hot water pipes need to be insulated?
Every metre of bare hot water pipe loses heat. That means more energy to keep the water hot, and a longer wait for hot water at the tap. Insulating the pipes is a simple, low-cost way to improve both, and on new hot water work it's generally a requirement. Here's why it matters, where it's most worth doing, and what's involved.
Why insulate hot water pipes
Less heat lost
Insulated pipes keep the water hotter on its way to the tap, so the heater does less work.
Hot water arrives sooner
Water left in an insulated pipe stays warm longer between uses, so you wait less next time.
Protects the pipes
Insulation protects pipes from damage and, outside, from sun and weather.
Required on new work
The plumbing rules generally require heated water pipes to be insulated in new installations, including the pipes around a new hot water system.
Where insulation matters most
- The pipes coming out of the hot water system, especially outdoors.
- Pipes under suspended timber floors, where cold air moves freely.
- Pipes in the roof space, which get very cold in winter and very hot in summer.
- The relief and expansion valve pipework on the heater.
- Long pipe runs to distant bathrooms, and every pipe in a flow and return loop.
What's involved
We fit closed-cell pipe insulation sized to the pipe, with UV-resistant protection where it's outside. Where pipes are easy to reach, under the floor or in the roof, it's usually a quick job. Pipes inside finished walls can't be reached without opening up the wall, so we focus on the sections that are accessible. When we install or replace a hot water system, we insulate the new pipework as part of the job. You get a fixed price before any work starts.
In southern Eastern Suburbs homes
Many older homes in Matraville, Maroubra and Kingsford have suspended timber floors with bare copper hot water pipes underneath, exposed to cold sea breezes. Hot water units outside on the side of the house in Malabar and Little Bay also often have uninsulated pipes baking in the sun and cooling in the wind. Both are worth insulating.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Do hot water pipes have to be insulated?
On new hot water installations, heated water pipes generally have to be insulated under the plumbing rules. Older homes often have bare pipes that are worth insulating.
Does insulating hot water pipes save money?
It reduces heat loss, so the heater uses less energy, and less water is wasted waiting for hot water.
Should cold water pipes be insulated too?
It's not usually needed for energy, but insulating cold pipes can stop condensation dripping in some spots.
Can you insulate pipes inside the walls?
Not without opening the wall. We insulate the sections we can reach, under the floor, in the roof and outside.
Related help: hot water, hot water flow and return, hot water running out and hot water servicing. Local pages: hot water Matraville, hot water Maroubra, hot water Kingsford and hot water Malabar.