I've been using cork insulation wraps on my pipes for a couple years now—pretty impressed overall. Easy to install, holds up nicely, and definitely eco-friendly. Haven't seen any decent sustainable heat tape either though...someone needs to get on that already.
I've had pretty good luck with cork insulation too, easy enough to handle and holds up well. If you're looking for sustainable heat tape alternatives though, have you considered self-regulating heating cables? They're not 100% eco-friendly yet, but they adjust their heat output automatically, meaning less energy waste overall. Not perfect...but definitely a step in the right direction until someone finally develops a fully green option.
I've actually been looking into those self-regulating heating cables myself. Just moved into an older place and the plumbing's a bit sketchy... figured anything that cuts down on wasted energy is worth a shot, even if it's not fully green yet. Glad to hear cork insulation works well too—might give it a go next weekend.
"Just moved into an older place and the plumbing's a bit sketchy..."
Haha, sketchy plumbing sounds familiar—my old house had pipes that looked like they'd seen both world wars. Have you checked out low-flow fixtures yet? Easy swap and saves water without sacrificing pressure.
Sketchy plumbing is practically a rite of passage with older homes, haha. Those low-flow fixtures mentioned earlier are definitely worth checking out—have you looked into dual-flush toilets yet? They're pretty straightforward to install and can make a noticeable difference on your water bill. Also, if you're dealing with older pipes, have you thought about pipe insulation? It's a simple DIY job, pretty cheap too, and helps keep hot water hot longer, saving energy in the process.
I know plumbing upgrades can feel overwhelming at first (been there myself...), but honestly, tackling small projects one at a time makes it manageable. Plus, it's pretty satisfying seeing your water usage drop bit by bit. Have you run into any specific issues yet, or just general old-house quirks?
