Use less energy by wrapping the hot water pipes and the hot water cylinder with insulation

Cylinder jacket

Hot water will stay hot longer, and you will waste less energy heating it, if you insulate your hot water cylinder.

Hot water cylinders should have solid foam insulation fitted in the factory or an insulated cylinder jacket. If the cylinder is bare or the layer of foam is so thin that it gets hot, fit an 80mm (3") insulating jacket. Make sure to fit the jacket snugly around the pipes in and out of the cylinder.

Its easy to insulate the cylinder and hot water pipes yourself — but take care to fit the jacket and pipe sleeves well.

Insulate hot water pipes

Hot water pipes lose heat right the way along, so insulate them wherever you can with pre-formed foam pipe insulation — make sure you insulate the pipes at the top of the cylinder for a distance of at least 1m (3'3").

Savings [Savings information from EST]

• Fitting a jacket to your hot water cylinder can cut wastage by three quarters — a cash saving of around 20 a year. An 80mm (3") insulating cylinder jacket costs from £10 — more for larger cylinders.
   

• Insulating hot water pipes can save around £10 a year on your fuel bills. 1m (3'3") foam sleeves cost about £1.50.

Its easy to insulate the cylinder and hot water pipes yourself — but take care to fit the jacket and pipe sleeves well.