In building insulation and HVAC engineering, glass wool is widely used for insulation of ducts, pipes, and equipment due to its lightweight, low thermal conductivity, and strong construction adaptability. In actual projects, glass wool is typically available in various thicknesses, each with significantly different applicable ranges and project priorities. Appropriately selecting the glass wool thickness is one of the key factors in ensuring the system's insulation effect and operational stability.

Firstly, thinner glass wool is mainly suitable for conditions with small temperature differences and relatively stable environmental conditions. For example, indoor supply and return air ducts, normal temperature pipes, or the outer surfaces of equipment with low insulation requirements. In these applications, the system focuses on reducing heat fluctuations and improving comfort; a thinner thickness can meet basic needs while helping to reduce material usage and construction costs.

Secondly, medium-thickness glass wool is the most widely used choice in HVAC engineering, commonly used for air conditioning ducts, hot and cold water pipes, and general equipment insulation. In these conditions, there is a certain temperature difference between the medium and the ambient temperature, and the system operates for a long time, placing higher demands on insulation continuity and anti-condensation performance. Medium-thickness glass wool achieves a good balance between thermal insulation performance and economy.

Third, thicker glass wool is typically used in systems operating in low-temperature or high-humidity environments. Examples include chilled water pipes, low-temperature air ducts, and areas with high humidity such as underground spaces and machine rooms. Under these conditions, the risk of condensation increases significantly; insufficient thickness can easily lead to surface condensation and performance degradation. Increasing the thickness of the glass wool can effectively increase the external surface temperature, reduce the probability of condensation, and improve system operational safety.

Fourth, in special application scenarios, the thickness selection needs to be adjusted based on the system's operating characteristics. For systems with large fluctuations in operating conditions and frequent start-stop cycles, appropriately increasing the glass wool thickness helps buffer temperature changes and maintain stable system thermal performance. Furthermore, in outdoor or semi-outdoor applications, it should be considered in conjunction with the design of protective layers and vapor barriers.

Fifth, from an engineering economics and construction conditions perspective, a thicker glass wool is not necessarily better. Excessive thickness increases material costs and construction difficulty, and may even affect the space layout of equipment and piping. In engineering design, the thickness of glass wool should be scientifically matched through thermal calculations, taking into account ambient temperature and humidity, operating temperature, and service life, avoiding empirical selection.

Generally speaking, different thicknesses of glass wool correspond to different application ranges, and their selection should be based on system condition analysis and thermal design. By rationally determining the thickness specification, not only can energy consumption and condensation risks be effectively controlled, but construction feasibility and economy can also be considered, providing a reliable guarantee for the long-term stable operation of the glass wool insulation system. This is also one of the important technical principles for thickness selection in building insulation engineering.