In many freeze-prone regions of the country, pipe insulation is not only a good idea, it’s mandated by the municipal building codes. Doing the job yourself-it’s usually not hard to tackle-tips the balance sheet in your favor, while depending on where you live, it may or may not be worth it to hire help. Is pipe insulation ever a bad idea? “The only case I can think of where pipe insulation would be a bad idea,” O’Brian says, “would be on radiant heating or cooling loops, where insulation would actively work against the design of the system.” So in all but a couple of circumstances, installing pipe insulation offers energy savings and peace of mind-but does the benefit outweigh the cost? That might depend on whether or not you hire a contractor. “And if you are suspicious you might have asbestos in your pipes or anywhere else in your home, make sure you consult a professional for removal.” Cost vs. “Asbestos pipe insulation has a distinct corrugated look,” he says. Asbestos insulation is not always easy to identify, says Dan O’Brian, a technical specialist with, an online retailer of plumbing, heating, and HVAC products. Particularly if it’s disturbed and its fine fibers become airborne, asbestos-laden pipe insulation can present a serious health hazard.
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