How to insulate a tank

Unless your hot water tank has an insulation R-value of at least R-24 or higher, adding insulation to the tank can reduce heat loss from 25% - 45%. This in turn will give you savings of around 4% - 9% in water heating costs. Read on to see how to insulate your water tank.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Mild detergent
• Cloth
• Goggles
• Dust mask
• Gloves
• Foil, fibreglass, or tubular-sleeve insulation
• Acrylic tape or impaling pins
• Saw
• Scissors
• Hammer
• Nails
• Tape measure

The steps to follow

Note:
Don’t forget to wear your goggles, dust mask, and gloves when handling fibreglass insulation.

1. Wash the exterior of the tank with a mild detergent.
2. Measure the area of the tank you plan to insulate.
3. Prepare a ready-to-use insulation kit to insulate the tank or buy an insulation blanket.
4. Cut the insulation to the required size.
5. If an external pipe is attached to the tank, measure the diameter of the pipe and cut a hole on the insulation blanket for the pipe.
6. Roll the insulation blanket up and carry it to the tank.
7. Unroll the insulation blanket and wrap it around the tank.
8. Secure it around the tank with acrylic tape or impaling pins.
9. Measure the area of the insulated tank.
10. Based on this measurement, cut pieces of mineral-fibre slabs to build an encasement to contain the insulation blanket.
11. Drill a hole on a slab for the pipe and thread the slab over the pipe.
12. Assemble the remaining slabs on the insulated tank and secure with nails.
13. Proceed with insulating the pipe.

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