According to the Energy Information Administration, electricity costs for Americans rose by an average of 11% from September 2021 to September 2022. Projections for 2023 indicate another 10% increase over the previous year. By minimizing sources of heat loss, we can reduce the energy required for freeze protection and process heating. While insulation is a crucial factor in lowering utility bills, its importance goes beyond just cost-saving. Inadequate insulation can endanger worker safety, compromise product quality, elevate greenhouse gas emissions, and damage temperature-sensitive equipment.
Keys to Energy Efficiency
The primary step towards reducing energy consumption is pinpointing areas of heat loss. If you detect an area where the air or equipment's temperature deviates from the ambient temperature, you've found a spot that could benefit from insulation. Sometimes, addressing the cause of the temperature disparity is as simple as sealing window or door frames. In other instances, heat might be conducted away from its needed location, like a heated pipe on a stand. Additionally, there might be instances where you're heating elements that don't require it. For instance, self-regulating heat trace for freeze protection isn't necessary in areas where ambient temperatures remain above freezing. Yet, these can still consume energy up to their maximum design temperature. Employing a temperature controller can mitigate this, reducing power flow once ambient temperatures reach the designated set point. When you spot heat loss, insulating the affected equipment is your most effective method to cut down energy expenses.
Insulating Materials
Insul-EZ™
Insul-EZ™ offers a convenient solution with its 4' x 4' adhesive-backed foam sheet that's simple to install. With a thickness of 0.75", this flexible material can be tailored to fit almost any form. Whether it's large diameter pipes, vessels, hoppers, or virtually any surface prone to heat loss, Insul-EZ™ has got it covered. Plus, it can be applied directly over heaters, provided the application temperature doesn't exceed 220°F (105°C). With an R-Value of 3.0, these sheets are suitable for damp areas and outdoor use.
Insul-Lock®
Insul-Lock® provides flexible closed-cell pipe insulators designed for pipes and tubes ranging from 7/8” to 6-5/8” OD. These straight sections, measuring 6' in length, come with adhesive to ensure a snug fit. There are also specially designed 90° elbow and tee-shaped insulators, perfect for comprehensive piping assemblies, both with and without heaters. These foam products are ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process heating applications.
Silver Series
For process heating applications exceeding 200°F, fiberglass insulation is the material of choice. Interestingly, adding just 1" of 9 lb/ft3 fiberglass insulation can lead to energy cost savings of up to 70%. This versatile material, encapsulated between two layers of cloth, is adept at insulating a diverse range of equipment — from straightforward pipes to intricate configurations like multiport vacuum chambers. BriskHeat’s Silver Series integrates 1" of this insulation in our straight, cut-to-length pipe, tee, flange, and valve insulators. Thanks to hook and loop fasteners, these can be easily removed and reinstalled for maintenance.
Custom Heating Jackets
The perfect solution when facing complex temperature management challenges or need specialized heating solutions, engineer tailored heating jackets!
For all your freeze protection or process heating needs, BriskHeat has the insulation solutions to ensure you're well-prepared for the colder months. BriskHeat now operates from three production facilities globally, ensuring faster delivery. To learn more, get in touch with your Account Executive or local distributor for product details and pricing.
