To answer Anna’s question it would be best to see the application before giving a definitive answer. I dont want to give my full endorsement just yet, as I am still on a big auditing mission with regard to various plumbing materials that is not yet concluded. That said, I am very intrigued by a company called Knauf Insulation http://www.knaufinsulation.com/ … (US website is down right now for some reason). They use much better alternatives in their products…and for pipe insulation they use glass wool that is molded under high pressure. It comes in 3′ sticks in sizes from 5/8″ to 6 1/2″ in wide range of wall thicknesses. The jacket is a white kraft paper bonded to aluminum foil, and it is reinforced with a fiberglass scrim (but they should be using unbleached paper or at least offer it, in my opinion).

I am getting some of this insulation from the US flagship in Indiana (haven’t found any closer distributors unfortunately…It is a German company) and I’m really excited to test the stuff out. I know that the rigidity is probably a reason why most plumbers wouldn’t use it. Its convenient to be able to bend insulation and push it together along the ready-glued seams. Apparently they haven’t figured out the fittings issue – the insulation comes in 3′ straight tubes that dont seem to accomodate the fittings (“connecting” pieces in plumbing: 90 degree pieces referred to as “90s”, 45 degree pieces as “45s”, unions, bushings, etc… ) To deal with this, Knauf offers what it calls “fitting covers” that are PVC jacketed, similarly molded covers that fit over the fittings themselves, so Im still thinking of a hack for this issue.

As pointed out earlier in the thread, plumbing is tough when it comes to “ideal”, sustainability-wise, but I am determined to do my best and hopefully shake things up along the way…

One other concern I have to check out in regard to this new insulation is the resin that must be used in the pressure molding – the site that has the spec sheet for download is seemingly unavailable, but I’m gonna get to the bottom of this…Anyway, chances are that the product is MUCH better than the conventional alternatives…Im sure Ill be posting about all of the above on our blog, so feel free to drop in on us over at PolarSolar…keep pushing it forward, everyone!
Thanks

I’d already been happy I found Polar Solar, because they’ve been so responsive and professional with our million questions.

We’re having a heat pump installed in a couple of weeks (to replace the frightfully inefficient 1952 gas wall heaters) and the contractor has been really receptive to finding non-PVC solutions to the duct work and the drainage pipe. But we had to ask for it. It will be a great day when the default isn’t PVC.

I have been living for the past 4-5 years in a warmer climate and I am still amazed at how many plumbing strategies rely on the lack of freezing. I LOVE solar water heaters and I can imagine plastic-free versions would be possible for warm climates. Here in Tunisia I have noticed heaters that are locally built. The design and materials make me suspect that they aren’t efficient enough to work in cooler, less sunny climates.
.-= Martin´s last blog ..Live Better =-.

Keep up the good work! :-)
Zoe
.-= Zoe V.´s last blog ..The Interconnected Tree of Life =-.

I wonder how he would insulate the cooper tube it in a cold weather climate? Joe?
.-= Anna @Green Talk´s last blog ..Give your Unused Swing Set a New Purpose =-.