To lag or not to lag

The short pipe feeding our wall-mounted outside tap emerges behind the built-in washing machine in the futility room. In winter I leave the door to the washing machine cupboard open at night, to let the heat in the house keep said pipe warm. Experience has found that the outside tap will just start to freeze when the outside nighttime temperature falls to -6degC, which is a rarity here. Should it look like getting that low, I merely wrap a plastic shopping bag around the tap as temporary protection.

That's worked for me for nearly 30 years, and the current water heater puts our less radiant heat than its predecessor did.

Makes sense, but two things to note:

1. The pipe will be a cold bridge making the room cooler than before, or, if the room is heated with a thermostat, cost more money. The heat from the boiler may not be free, in other words. You're paying for it all the time, not just when it's frosty outside.

1. A cold pipe may cause condensation especially if the room is humid. eg if you have a tumble dryer in there the humidity level can shoot up which would cause condensation on the cold pipe. If for an extended period this can drip and cause damp issues.

Theo

Good points. As I've had no issues with it being lagged in the 10 years I've been here I'll put it back on.