---
title: "Hot Water Pipe Insulation"
url: https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/
description: "Sleeving accessible hot pipe runs so heat arrives at the tap instead of the cupboard."
---

# Hot Water Pipe Insulation

Skip to the catalogue

|  | [IXCatalogue Index](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/)[SCSections](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)[STStart Here](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/) |
|---|---|

| »Categories[Building Envelope](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)5[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)6[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)4[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)3»Project Types[Sealing and draughtproofing](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Insulating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Water and pipework](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Planting and drainage](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Surfaces and finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/low-voc-paints-and-finishes/)»Quick FindJump straight to the entry that covers a common complaint.[Lower electricity bills](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/how-to-reduce-electricity-bill/)[Draughts](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Cold rooms](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/wall-insulation-choices/)[Condensation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/secondary-glazing-and-films/)[Damp at low level](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Noise between floors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/floor-underlay-and-acoustics/)[Slow hot water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Summer overheating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/planting-mulch-and-shade/) | HW-04Straightforward · Any seasonSleeving accessible hot pipe runs so heat arrives at the tap instead of the cupboard.Section[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)ReferenceHW-04DifficultyStraightforwardSeasonAny seasonTypical scopeAn hour or twoWhat it affectsWaiting time at the tap, standing losses, freeze riskWhat this isEvery metre of uninsulated hot pipe between the cylinder or boiler and the tap gives its heat to the space it passes through. Foam or mineral wool sleeving closes that path. It is one of the smallest jobs in this catalogue and one of the easiest to finish in an afternoon, because the pipe runs that matter most are usually the first few metres and they are usually the ones you can reach.Telling whether your home needs itLook in the airing cupboard, under the sink, in the loft and along any pipe crossing a garage or crawl space. Bare copper is the thing to look for. A cupboard that stays warm when nothing is running, or a long wait for hot water at a tap that is not far from the cylinder, both indicate heat being lost on the way.What the job involvesMeasure the outside diameter of the pipe and buy sleeving to match, not by guesswork. Split sleeving opens along a seam, goes over the pipe and closes with its own adhesive strip or with tape. Cut mitres at elbows so the two lengths meet without a gap, and butt joints tightly along straight runs. Bends, valves and the first metre out of the cylinder are the places worth taking care over.Things to watchIn unheated spaces the same sleeving reduces freeze risk on cold pipes, so it is worth doing both while you are there. Do not cover pipe near a flue or any surface that gets hot with a material not rated for it. Leave stopcocks and isolating valves accessible rather than sleeving straight over them.**More in Heating, Cooling & Water:** [Heat Pump Basics](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heat-pump-basics/) · [How To Reduce Your Electricity Bill](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/how-to-reduce-electricity-bill/) \| [All Heating, Cooling & Water entries](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) \| [Catalogue index](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/) | »Catalogue StatusThis catalogue holds **18** entries across **4** sections.Entries are written to be read and worked from. Nothing here is ordered, priced or supplied.»Start Here[Air Sealing Gaps And Cracks](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Attic And Loft Insulation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Weatherstripping Doors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/weatherstripping-doors/)[Thermostat Settings And Zoning](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/thermostat-settings-and-zoning/)[Radiator And Baseboard Care](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/radiator-and-baseboard-care/) |
|---|---|---|
|  | HW-04Straightforward · Any seasonSleeving accessible hot pipe runs so heat arrives at the tap instead of the cupboard. |  |
| Section | [Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) |  |
| Reference | HW-04 |  |
| Difficulty | Straightforward |  |
| Season | Any season |  |
| Typical scope | An hour or two |  |
| What it affects | Waiting time at the tap, standing losses, freeze risk |  |

4 sections · 18 entries · 5 index pages

—

[Building Envelope](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)

[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)

[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)

[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)

© Better Home Better Planet
