Condenser Pipe Insulation

What is a condensate pipe?

A majority of today's gas boilers are high-performance condensing boilers that condense water vapour using fuel to produce heat. The heat so produced is directed to your heating system to help maintain warmer indoors.

This process of producing heat releases carbon dioxide and water vapour which form an acidic wastewater mix called condensate. The condensate is released and sent out of the building through condensate pipes into the drain outside.

Where is the condensate pipe on a boiler?

The small, white plastic pipe present on the underside of a boiler that usually runs to the outside of your home and ends in the drain is the condensate pipe. It is mostly white in colour and about 20 mm-32 mm in size.

These pipes are also commonly found in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems as well as household boilers, and they can be made of a variety of materials, including copper, PVC, and aluminium. If you are unsure you can ask our team of experts for help if you can provide photos, we will try and identify the pipe for you.

Why insulate condensate pipe?

Since condensate pipes run on the exterior, they are more prone to freezing. During sub-zero conditions, your boiler condensate pipe might freeze and get blocked, which could redirect the wastewater back to the boiler, thus damaging it.

In the majority of cases, the boiler will just cease to function, leaving you without any heating during freezing temperatures, literally the worst time to have a boiler breakdown occur!

As the saying goes a stitch in time saves 9, and not lagging condensate pipes could lead to a hefty bill to call an engineer out to fix your boiler.

By insulating condensate pipes, you can ensure that these pipes do not freeze which gives you a smooth functioning boiler. Not only that, but insulating condensate pipes also reduce the risk of condensation, which in turn prevents the risk of wastewater drips damaging the structure.

Moreover, by insulating condensate pipes, you ensure that they remain protected from damage due to external factors like UV, harsh climate etc, which in turn improves the overall boiler functioning.

Which is the best insulation for condensate pipes?

Condensate pipes can be insulated for frost protection using black foam pipe lagging called Nitrile Rubber. You can also use Polyethelene insulation for external condensate such as Armacell Tubolit. However, we recommend using Condensate Pro’s specialist condensate pipe insulation if possible.

Condensate pro is designed for 32mm diameter solvent weld pipes and contains three 1m semi-rigid insulation pipes, perfect for protecting against frozen boiler outlet pipes. The UV-stable and weather-resistant coating on each length of insulation make it the perfect external condensate protection solution. They are also designed to withstand the acidic nature of the wastewater and the harsh environmental conditions.

That being said as long as the pipe isn't leaking and it is in good condition then any kind of pipe insulation can be used but if it's not nitrile rubber or condensate pro but anything other than a closed cell foam lagging, then this will need cladding on the outside to protect it from the elements.

Therefore for the majority of people nitrile rubber, polyethelene or condensate pro is the easiest and most inexpensive option.

How to Install Condensate pipe insulation?

The condensate pro insulation kit is specially designed with the layperson in mind, a condenser pipe insulation that allows for easy cutting, mitering, and bonding. You can create sleek, clean finishes around all pipework using Condensate Pro PPS Bond & Seal, which offers maximum protection and a finished look.

Longer lengths of condensate which have many elbows are maybe best left to professional thermal insulation contractors.

Where to buy condensate pipe insulation?

If your looking for lagging for condensate pipes then you have come to the right place. We stock all major brands of pipe lagging like Kflex, Armaflex, Rockwool and Kingspan. In addition to these, we stock condensate pro as mentioned previously. Insulation for boiler condensate pipes can also be found at local hardware stores or plumbing supply stores.

How else can I protect against frozen condensate pipes?

1. Install an automatic condensate pump to remove water from your system as soon as it forms.
2. Install trace heating cable along the length of the condensate
3. Run as much condensate drain pipe internally rather than externally.
4. Have a plumber check the condensation pipe is not blocked, especially during the annual service.