Hot water tank insulation system and method with flexible insulation top

A top insulator configured for use on a cylindrical water heater having a circular top, said insulator comprising:

• at least one half-moon shaped insulation element, said element including
• an envelope of pliable heat-resistant film material that has an outer edge that is half of a circle arc having a diameter of 20 to 30 inches and having two opposite arc end portions, and an inner edge that extends straight over the entire distance from one of the arc end portions to the other of said arc end portions;
• and
• said envelope enclosing and securing therein insulating fill of particles of insulating material that is heat resistant up to a temperature of at least 180 degrees F., said particles having particle sizes of ½ inch or less, and being sufficient in volume such that the element has a loft of at least 1 inch over a semicircular area thereof;
• wherein the envelope can be deformed to conformingly engage and extend partially around a pipe extending upward from the top of the water heater.

A method of insulating a generally cylindrical hot water heater tank having a cylindrical radially outward surface and an upper circular surface from which at least one pipe extends upwardly, said method comprising:

• providing a jacket of insulating material extending around a substantial portion of the radially outward surface of the hot water heater tank;
• and
• placing a pair of generally semicircular insulation elements overlying the upper surface of the hot water heater tank on either side of said pipe, each of the insulation elements including an envelope of heat resistant flexible material with an outer arcuate edge and a radially inward facing edge that is straight over the entire length thereof, said envelope enclosing particles of insulating material that is heat-resistant up to at least 180 degrees F., wherein said particles provide an insulating loft to the insulation element;
• said placing of the insulation elements including shaping the particles of heat-resistant insulating material inside the insulation elements so as to shape the insulation elements to conformingly extend at least partially around said pipe.