Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation
- Professional chilled and refrigeration insulation
- Stops condensation, drips and ice
- Commercial and industrial cooling systems
- Experienced insulation teams
You’re in good company. We’ve worked with the following commercial clients… View all
Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation
Cold pipes cause warm-weather problems. When chilled water, refrigerant or air conditioning pipes aren't properly insulated, they sweat. The water drips onto ceilings, electrics, stock and floors. Over time, it soaks the insulation, rots the pipe from the outside and lets ice form on the coldest lines.
Rated on Google
ICE Thermal fits chilled water pipe insulation, refrigeration insulation and air conditioning insulation across the UK. We work on cooling systems in offices, data centres, cold stores, food plants and supermarkets. Every job starts with a free site survey, and every cold line gets a fully sealed vapour barrier.
Contact our friendly team by calling 0203 376 4802 or sending an email to enquiries@icethermal.co.uk to learn more about how we insulate chilled water systems, commercial refrigeration, and air conditioning units.
Get in touch today,
I'm happy to help
By asking you a few questions on the phone or via email, I can instantly provide you with an estimate of how much the service will cost.
Our chilled, refrigeration & ac insulation treatment process
Step 1 Contact
To book a free, no-obligation site survey, either give us a call on 0203 376 4802 or email us on enquiries@icethermal.co.uk.
A member of our friendly support team will get back to you to talk through your Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation needs. It helps if you can tell us the type of system (chilled water, refrigeration or air conditioning), the problem you're seeing, such as dripping or ice, and where the pipes run. Photos are useful too, if you have them.
Where we can, we'll give you an early idea of cost for your Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation service. If necessary, our engineers will visit the site to review the current situation, at a time that suits you.
Step 2 Quote
Following all health and safety rules, our engineer will visit your site and carry out a full survey. For your Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation service, we'll measure pipe sizes, record operating temperatures and check room conditions such as heat and humidity. On existing systems, we'll find wet, failed or missing insulation and check pipes and supports for rust.
We'll also carry out a risk assessment, so nothing unexpected comes up once work starts. This covers access, working at height, other trades on site and any hazards we find.
Our team will then recommend the best option for your site and answer any questions. You'll receive a free, detailed quote for your Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation service, showing the closed-cell material and thickness, the vapour barrier method, insulated supports and the finish, along with a likely timeframe for the work.
Step 3 Cleaning
Our fully trained engineers will arrive on time, in uniform and with ID badges, ready to begin the work. Before we start, we'll send you our risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) and agree working areas, times and access with you.
Our engineers will strip out any wet or failed insulation first. New closed-cell insulation is then fitted, with every joint, seam and end sealed to keep the vapour barrier whole. Insulated supports are fitted at hangers, so there are no cold spots.
The work will be completed in line with the survey and quote, following all health and safety rules. We keep a safe working area for everyone on site at all times, and can work early, late or at weekends to limit disruption.
When we finish, our team will check the completed work with you and make sure you're happy with the job. We promise to leave your site safe, clean and tidy, with all waste removed.
Step 4 After care
Here at ICE Thermal, we go the extra mile to make sure every client is happy.
You'll receive a handover pack for your Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation service, including the materials used, product data sheets and close-up photos of sealed joints and supports. Keep it with your building records, as it's useful for audits, insurers and future work.
Our dedicated customer service team will get in touch with every client after the Chilled, Refrigeration & AC Insulation service, to make sure all expectations have been met. If any condensation returns, call us and we'll come back to find and fix the cause.
You'll also be given the opportunity to write a Trustpilot review.
Our helpline is open 9:00 -17:30 Monday-Friday
When calling please have
the following ready:
- Your Name
- Company Name (if applicable)
- Site Postcode
- The problem you're having
- Email Address
Get a Quote
FAQs
The basics
What's the difference between hot and cold insulation?
Hot insulation mainly keeps heat in. Cold insulation keeps heat out and must also stop moisture reaching the pipe. That means a fully sealed vapour barrier, which makes cold work more specialist.
Why are our chilled water pipes dripping?
Dripping usually means the insulation or vapour barrier has failed, or the pipes were never fully insulated. Warm, damp air reaches the cold pipe and water forms on it. The fix is sealed cold insulation.
Materials and methods
Why do cold pipes need insulated pipe supports?
Metal clamps touching a cold pipe get cold themselves and drip. Insulated supports keep the insulation unbroken through the hanger, so there's no weak spot.
What is a vapour barrier?
It's a layer that stops moisture passing through the insulation to the cold pipe. It can be part of the material, like closed-cell rubber, or a foil facing. Every joint must be sealed for it to work.
Standards and compliance
Do Building Regulations cover insulation on cooling pipework?
Yes. Part L guidance covers insulation of cooling pipework and ductwork in new and refit work, to limit energy use. BS 5422 is the usual reference for thickness.
How thick should chilled water insulation be to stop condensation?
BS 5422 sets thicknesses to prevent condensation, based on the pipe temperature, room temperature and humidity. In very humid areas, thicker insulation may be needed. We'll check your conditions on survey.
Estimates and charges
Can failed cold insulation be patched instead of replaced?
Small, dry areas can sometimes be repaired. Wet insulation stops working and usually needs replacing, as patching can trap moisture inside. We'll show you what we find on survey.
What affects the price of refrigeration pipe insulation?
Pipe sizes, lengths, operating temperatures, the number of fittings and supports, and access all affect the price. Stripping out failed wet insulation adds time. We'll quote after a free survey.
On the job
Do you need the chiller or AC system turned off?
Not always. It's often easier to insulate cold pipes when they're off and dry, so we may ask for a shutdown on some sections. We'll agree this with you in advance.
Customer care
What should we do if condensation comes back after the work?
Get in touch with us straight away. We'll come back, find the cause and put it right.
Why choose us?
- Cater to domestic, commercial, and industrial facilities
- Nationwide coverage
- A site survey can be provided prior to quotation
- A bespoke service designed to suit all your needs
- All operatives hold professional health and safety qualifications
We’re fully accredited
We take health and safety, our professional expertise and legal obligations very seriously. You can view a list of our accreditations below, or visit our Health & Safety page for more information.
What is chilled and refrigeration insulation?
Cold insulation is insulation fitted to pipes, ducts and equipment that run below the temperature of the room. It has two jobs. It stops heat getting into the cold system, which saves energy. And it stops warm, damp air reaching the cold surface, which is what causes condensation.
The second job is the hard one. Cold insulation only works if the vapour barrier is complete. One small gap at a bend or support lets moisture in, and the insulation slowly fills with water. That's why cold work needs specialist fitters, not general trades.
What we insulate
- Chilled water flow and return pipework
- Refrigerant pipework for split and VRF air conditioning systems
- Refrigeration pipework for cold rooms, freezers and display cases
- Glycol and brine lines in process cooling
- Chillers, pumps, buffer tanks and plate heat exchangers
- Condensate drain pipework
- Chilled air ductwork
What's included
- A free site survey of pipe sizes, temperatures and room conditions
- Insulation thickness chosen to stop condensation in your conditions
- Closed-cell materials with a continuous vapour barrier
- Sealed joints, ends and seams using the right adhesives and tapes
- Insulated pipe supports, so there's no cold bridge at the hangers
- Careful insulation of valves, strainers and fittings
- A protective finish in PVC, foil or metal cladding where needed
- Removal of all waste from site
Insulation materials for cold systems
- Nitrile rubber (closed-cell elastomeric). Our most common choice for chilled water and refrigerant pipes. It's flexible and resists moisture.
- Phenolic foam. Very efficient in a thin section, with a factory foil facing as the vapour barrier.
- PIR foam. A rigid option for large chilled water mains and tanks.
- Insulated pipe supports. Load-bearing blocks that keep the pipe off cold metal clamps.
Key benefits of cold insulation
- No more dripping pipes. A sealed vapour barrier stops condensation at the source.
- Protects your building and stock. No water damage to ceilings, electrics, IT kit or goods.
- Lower cooling costs. Chillers and condensers work less when cold pipes gain less heat.
- Stops ice build-up. Low-temperature lines stay clear of frost and ice.
- Prevents corrosion. Dry pipes last longer and need fewer repairs.
- Safer floors. No puddles under pipes, so fewer slip risks.
Signs your cold insulation has failed
- Drips, damp patches or stains below chilled pipes
- Insulation that feels wet, soft or heavy
- Ice or frost on refrigeration lines
- Rust on pipes, clamps or supports
- Mould on or around the insulation
- Chillers running longer than they should
Wet cold insulation can't be dried out and reused. It needs stripping and replacing. Our Insulation Repair & Reinstatement service covers this.
Refrigeration and air conditioning insulation contractors
We work with building owners and facilities teams, and as a subcontractor to refrigeration, air conditioning and M&E contractors. We can follow your pipe install on a new build, or put right failed insulation on a live system.
Who we help
- Offices and commercial buildings with chilled water systems
- Data centres and server rooms
- Supermarkets and food retail
- Cold stores and distribution centres
- Food and drink manufacturers
- Hospitals and labs
- Hotels and leisure sites
- Refrigeration, AC and M&E contractors
Compliance and paperwork
We work to BS 5422 or your specification, which sets thicknesses to control condensation on cold services. RAMS are sent before we start. You'll receive a handover pack with the materials used, data sheets and photos, including close-ups of sealed joints and supports.
Book chilled water pipe insulation with ICE Thermal
If your cold pipes are dripping, icing up or costing too much to run, we can fix it. ICE Thermal fits chilled water pipe insulation and refrigeration insulation with a vapour barrier that lasts. Call 0203 376 4802 or email enquiries@icethermal.co.uk to book a free site survey.