Mechanical insulation – Cost-effective “low-hanging fruit” that saves money and saves energy too Picking the “low-hanging fruit” is a metaphor commonly used to describe doing the simplest or easiest work first. Maximum gain for minimum effort is also fairly descriptive. However, when budgeting for a new building, or considering a cost-effective solution to saving energy when retro-fitting, finding a simple affordable solution that produces results without taxing the budget can be a daunting task. And, at a time when societal pressures place so much emphasis on saving energy for the future, the task of doing so without driving capital or long-term operational costs through the roof typically falls on the shoulders of educational facility managers and their staff. Mechanical insulation, properly specified and installed by professionals, may be the low-hanging fruit educational facility managers are looking for.
Mechanical insulation “payback” Insulation reduces energy consumption, which means that less fossil fuels are burned to produce that energy. This, in turn, decreas-
es the amount of polluting gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Because carbon dioxide is one of the principal greenhouse gases contributing to global warming, and sulfur dioxide is the major component of acid rain, insulation plays a significant role in protecting the environment. A properly designed and installed insulation system provides an excellent return on investment and quick payback through cost savings. Insulation is a low-risk investment because the savings and the payback can be forecasted with a high degree of accuracy. Insulation is one of the few technologies where the payback for the investment is considered more than acceptable when compared to many other equipment or maintenance purchases. If the insulated system is maintained, the savings from the investment continue for the life of the facility. In fact, it costs more to not insulate properly. Often insulation is paid for by the maintenance budget and then it reduces the operations budget for the life of the
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system. The return on investment, or payback for an investment in insulation is quick, often from six months to two years. To calculate your specific payback, download a free computer program (called 3E Plus®) at www.pipeinsulation. org or use the insulation calculators created by NIA and available at wbdg.org/design/midg_ calculators.php. (Benefits of Insulation, insulation.org).
Reduced mould, corrosion, component replacement Insulation with a good vapour retarder controls condensation and limits corrosion on cold piping, ducts, chillers, and roof drains. Sufficient thickness is needed to keep the surface temperature above the dew point temperature of the ambient air. When piping and equipment operate at temperatures lower than the ambient air, moisture in the air will condense or freeze on or within the insulation surface, or on the cold pipe surface. Unless the system is protected by sufficient thickness and by adequate vapour retarders, the insulation can become wet, causing corrosion, and causing the insulation to become ineffective. Mechanical insulation of hot and cold-water pipes and ventilation units reduces consumption and costs. Properly installed mechanical insulation saves money as soon as the switch is turned on. It pays for itself in a short period of time. Depending on a building’s size, the cost of installing mechanical insulation can be recovered between
