Vermont homeowner
New Member
I hope someone out there can help with this dilemma. I own a two story duplex in Vermont (upstairs/downstairs). Last fall we replaced an aging oil-fired boiler with two separate gas boilers so that each unit now controls (and pays for) their own heat (and hot water).
Here's the problem. All of the boiler pipes for the second story run outside of the walls in the unit below. We suspect that there's some heat loss, which is good for the downstairs unit but very bad for the folks upstairs who are paying for that heat.
I'm wondering just how much (percentage-wise) of heat is being lost this way and, more importantly, the best way to fix it. I'm inclined to install the foam pipe insulation sleeves, but it's not gonna be pretty. Is there anything else on the market that would be less obtrusive and unattractive? I'd hate to have to build chases in each room.
Thanks!
Here's the problem. All of the boiler pipes for the second story run outside of the walls in the unit below. We suspect that there's some heat loss, which is good for the downstairs unit but very bad for the folks upstairs who are paying for that heat.
I'm wondering just how much (percentage-wise) of heat is being lost this way and, more importantly, the best way to fix it. I'm inclined to install the foam pipe insulation sleeves, but it's not gonna be pretty. Is there anything else on the market that would be less obtrusive and unattractive? I'd hate to have to build chases in each room.
Thanks!