Insulation over furnace pvc vent pipe

[central nj]

Hi,
My equipment room has insulated walls next to the basement living area, but no insulation on the ceiling where there is a family room. I was planning on putting some fiberglass batts up there, vapor barrier against the floor (hot side). The direct vent/air intact pvc pipes are tucked between rafters. Can I lazily lay fiberglass insulation over them (paper side to them)? The intake would be cold, and exhaust a little bit warm, and there would be lots of dead space.

Thanks
Steve

[pacnw]

IF they are pvc/abs and NOT metal, insulation will not be a problem touching them.

There could be condensation that builds up on the intake, depending on your climate.

[tedkidd]

Noise issues?

[beenthere]

Shouldn't be any problem.

[central nj]

Thanks. Steve

[Tommy knocker]

Not an issue.

[tedkidd]

Noise issues?

Steve, are you having noise issues in your family room?

I've seen insulation in really crazy places. Great efforts that accomplish no purpose other than making fun wall of shame pictures/stories. If the basement is conditioned, insulation is in the Utility room walls to dampen noise. Placing insulation between two conditioned spaces will not save energy. If its some type of OCD trigger that the walls have it and ceiling doesn't, I get it.

Just be careful letting an insulation guy know you did that or he may attempt to convince you to insulate your picket fence.

[central nj]

Mr. Tedkidd, hmm. I'm going to have to think about that one. Maybe a bit of OCD.

What should the temp be in an "unheated" equipment room in winter. The furnace and hot water heaters throw off heat, and 1/3 zones w/uninsulated metal ducts are in the room. But i would think that room should be significantly cooler than the upstairs family room. 60? 55? Last year it seemed about 70, but i wonder if that was transfer from the floor above? Or poorly sealed ducts.




The equipment room has the furnace, and two water heaters. Two side walls insulated, two side walls block/earth, above is the family room.

Thanks
Steve

[tedkidd]

It's only likely to be colder if you have a leaky rim joist. Really, you want to clearly understand the homes thermal boundary and focus on that. It should align with your air, and possibly weather boundaries.

In any event, insulating between a 55f space and a 70f space shouldn't be high on your list of improvements. If you have an energy audit they should give you a prioritized list including energy savings projections and cost estimates.