PEX 101: Do You Need Insulation on PEX pipe?

FROZEN LINE. HEAT LOSS. WASTED MONEY. If you want these things to happen, you better not insulate your PEX pipe. But if you are a wise independent American Patriot—which we know you are—then you probably know that it is imperative to insulate your PEX pipe. Not only does doing such promote energy efficiency, but insulation can also reduce potential problems with moisture, condensation, etc.

Nearly every location in the United States has seen snowfall. It is not a secret that we are visited by winter yearly. Although winter can bring us an array of fun activities—like creating a snowman—it also has a downside, it can bring extremely cold weather, especially for some states, cold enough to freeze the PEX pipe buried underground outside, or inside uninsulated spaces like a basement, attic, or crawl space.

Although PEX is more flexible than rigid pipes like copper, PVC, or CPVC and more resistant against fluctuations in temperatures, it is not freeze-proof. If left uninsulated and the temperature drops to 20 degrees, your pipe has a very good chance of freezing. However, the good thing about PEX is that it is flexible, it has a small margin of expansion under the damaging pressure caused by ice formation. It has the tendency to stretch rather than break when water freezes inside. Meaning, PEX is less likely to rupture as a result of freezing.

If you are currently in the point of choosing what type of insulation you should be using to protect your pipe, then lucky for you because we exactly know what's the best for you. Of course, it is not the expensive Foamy-Filled Insulation; rather, we recommend Radiant Barrier Insulation.

Why Radiant Barrier Insulation is better than  Foam-Filled Insulation?

Radiant Barrier Insulation simply beats Foam-filled insulation in all the aspects needed to consider in insulating your PEX pipe. Below are the reasons why:

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How much heat loss does Heat Mizer brand Insulated PEX have?
- Independent lab studies have shown the heat loss of Heat Mizer insulated PEX to be the lowest in the industry - less than one degree over a 100-foot run! The actual results were about six-tenths of the degree - again, less than one degree. Our customers report that they usually cannot even measure ANY heat loss.

2. NEVER use black drain tile
-Don't EVER use black drain tile. Never. It is not waterproof and will leak. Manufacturers don't care if it leaks because as drain tile, it doesn't matter. But underground outdoor boiler pipe insulation MUST be waterproof - if it leaks and fills with water, it SUCKS heat out of your system. The earth will absorb an infinite amount of heat. Do NOT use black drain tile. ONLY buy our Heat Miser Pipe with the white outer shell - it is "Forever Waterproof"

3. Never splice Insulated PEX underground
- Never splice Insulated PEX UNDERGROUND. Spliced underground pipe fails 100% of the time. We make every roll custom-made to your ordered length. We will make you the exact length you need. If you need 137 feet, we won't force you to buy 150' But please measure the distance required and add 10 feet for the sweep into the back of the boiler, and to go through the wall into your building at least 3 feet. Measure twice, and cut once.

Watch the video below to know more about this topic or simply reach out to us with any questions you may have! Just call our office, and we will take care of anything for you over the phone at  (231)  861-8200, Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 8 PM ET.