Pre-insulated pipes are a very popular choice when it comes to HVAC systems. They provide excellent insulation while keeping labour costs to a minimum as there is no extra work to be done when they are installed. There are three main types of pre-insulated pipe, so you will have to decide which type is best suited to your project.
Single-layer
Single-layer pre-insulated pipes are the simplest type. As the name implies, this consists of a carrier tube that forms the main pipe, which is covered with only a single layer of insulation. This is suitable for most applications and has the advantage that the resulting pipe is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. It is also reasonably flexible, allowing it to be used in places where thicker insulation would not allow the pipe to make small bends. A third advantage to this kind of tube is that it tends to be cheaper than other types, because it does not use so much material in its construction. The downside, of course, is that it does not provide the same amount of thermal efficiency as other pipes. Nonetheless, if you want a cheap and flexible option that still prevents excessive heat loss or gain, this could be the option for you.
Double-layer
If maximum efficiency is your aim, however, you may prefer to use double-layer pipes. These have extra layers of insulation around the main pipe — often two, but there can be several more layers. This extra insulation can be made of different materials to suit different needs. The gains in efficiency however come at the cost of less flexibility and greater weight, and the pipes are also likely to cost more than single-layer tubes.
Flexible
The third type of pre-insulated pipe is a flexible tube. This type is usually made of rubber or plastic and is designed with flexibility in mind. If you are installing pipes around permanent fixtures or in tight spaces, you will probably need pipes that can be bent without breaking. Their downside is that they may not be able to tolerate the same temperatures as the other types of piping, so you should check carefully that they will be able to cope with the heat and cold that they will experience in your system.
Each of these types is suitable for particular uses, so make sure you are using the best one for your system. Your supplier will be able to give advice if you have any questions. For more information, contact a company like Permapipe Systems Australia.