Heat-Loss Calculator › Reference › DN80 (3″) @ 180°C
Heat loss from a DN80 (3″) pipe at 180 °C
A bare DN80 (3″) pipe running at 180 °C in 20 °C still air loses about 447 W per metre. Wrap it in 50 mm of removable lamella mat and loss drops to about 73 W/m — a 84% cut — while the outer surface falls to about 32 °C (touch-safe). Figures use the ASTM C680 steady-state method.
These conditions are typical of low-pressure saturated steam, medium-temperature hot water (MTHW) and thermal-oil return lines. A bare surface here is already a burn risk and loses a large, continuous amount of heat that insulation recovers almost entirely.
Per-metre heat loss
| Quantity | Bare | Insulated (50 mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat loss | 447 W/m | 73 W/m |
| Heat loss (imperial) | 464.9 BTU/hr·ft | 75.6 BTU/hr·ft |
| Reduction | — | 84% |
| Outer surface temp | ~180°C | 32°C |
| Conductivity k (at 100°C mean) | — | 0.059 W/m·K |
How much insulation thickness?
The same DN80 (3″) line at 180 °C, with different removable-insulation thicknesses (lamella mat, k≈0.059 W/m·K). Heat loss and surface temperature both fall as thickness increases — with diminishing returns past 50–75 mm.
| Thickness | Heat loss | Reduction | Surface temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | 112 W/m | 75% | 46°C |
| 40 mm | 83 W/m | 81% | 36°C |
| 50 mm | 73 W/m | 84% | 32°C |
| 75 mm | 57 W/m | 87% | 28°C |
| 100 mm | 49 W/m | 89% | 25°C |
At this temperature the bare surface burns on contact within a second; 50 mm of removable insulation typically returns it to a touch-safe ≤45 °C.
Example: a 50 m line with 4 valves
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Heat loss, bare | 23.4 kW |
| Heat saved by insulation | 19.6 kW |
| Fuel energy saved | 184.5 MWh/yr |
| Money saved | €12,918/yr |
| CO₂ avoided | 36.9 t/yr (≈ 8.0 cars off the road, 1,758 trees, 7.7 homes’ power, 85 barrels of oil, 151,139 km of driving or 37 transatlantic flights) |
| Payback (removable insulation) | 7.2 months |
Assumptions. 50 m pipe + 4 valves (each ≈0.6 m bare pipe), 8000 h/yr, 85% boiler efficiency, €0.07/kWh fuel, 0.20 kg CO₂/kWh, 50 mm insulation at €250/m². CO₂ equivalences use US EPA / DEFRA conversion factors. Change any of these in the live calculator. Estimates for guidance — confirm with a site survey.
Run your own numbers
Adjust size, temperature, thickness, hours and energy price live — or get an exact heat-loss study and fixed insulation price for your equipment list.
Open the calculator →Get an exact quoteIs a bare DN80 (3″) line at 180 °C a burn hazard?
Yes — a bare DN80 (3″) surface at 180 °C exceeds the ~60 °C touch-safe threshold (ASTM C1055, EN ISO 13732-1) and burns on brief contact. The line also loses about 447 W/m, so insulation fixes safety and energy at once.