Copper pipe for heating

The proper material selection is essential for home heating systems. You need something that is effective, dependable, and long-lasting. For many years, heating professionals and homeowners have preferred copper pipes. Why is copper used? It is robust, rust-resistant, and has excellent heat conductivity. However, there are many more reasons why copper is a well-liked material for heating systems.

The longevity of copper pipes is one of their most notable advantages. Without suffering from severe wear and tear, they can endure for decades, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them very soon. Because of this, copper pipes end up being a more affordable choice over time. Furthermore, copper is workable and flexible, which is particularly useful when installing intricate heating systems in small spaces or older homes.

Additionally, copper pipes are very reliable. You don’t have to be concerned about leaks or burst pipes because of rust or deterioration because they are resistant to corrosion. This is particularly crucial for heating systems because the pipes are always filled with water. A comfortable home requires a dependable heating system, and copper pipes can significantly contribute to that dependability.

However, copper pipes are more than just robust and dependable. Additionally, they efficiently conduct heat, which improves the efficiency and lowers energy consumption of your heating system. Lower energy costs and a smaller environmental effect may result from this. Additionally, the inherent antimicrobial qualities of copper give your home heating system an extra degree of safety and cleanliness.

All things considered, copper pipes have several advantages for heating systems, including durability, dependability, efficiency, and safety. Copper pipes are something you should give careful thought to if you’re thinking about installing or renovating a heating system in your house. We’ll go into more detail about each of these advantages in the sections that follow to help you see why copper might be the best option for your heating requirements.

Property	Description
Durability	Copper pipes are known for their long-lasting durability, resisting corrosion and wear over time.
Heat Conductivity	Copper is excellent at conducting heat, making it ideal for efficient heating systems.
Flexibility	Copper can be bent and shaped without breaking, which makes installation easier in tight spaces.
Compatibility	Copper pipes are compatible with most plumbing systems and can be used with various fittings and joints.
Recyclable	Copper is a recyclable material, offering an environmentally friendly option for heating systems.

Because they are strong, effective, and corrosion-resistant, copper pipes are a common choice for home heating systems. These pipes are perfect for distributing steam or hot water throughout your house because they can tolerate high pressures and temperatures. Because of its inherent ability to conduct heat, copper also loses less energy, which over time can reduce your heating expenses. Furthermore, it’s simpler to work with when repairing or expanding your heating system’s sections. In summary, copper pipes are a wise investment if you’re searching for a dependable, long-lasting solution for the heating system in your house.

Advantages and disadvantages of copper pipes in heating systems, features of operation and soldering, reviews and cost

Although wiring the heating system with copper pipes is not the least expensive option, it is dependable and long-lasting when done correctly. The material has an 80–100 year shelf life. The behavior of the system’s rations, connecting elements, and other parts is another matter.

Advantages and disadvantages of copper pipes in heating systems

This metal’s pipelines have a lengthy history—they date back more than 5,000 years. Although technologies have evolved, their advantages have not changed:

Under some circumstances, copper pipes can be used for an extended period of time.

• Long life: with a properly designed and assembled heating system, pipe can serve for decades.
• Light weight. Copper is plastic and durable, which allows you to make pipes with a small wall thickness. As a result, it turns out that it weighs a little.
• It withstands both high and low temperatures (the operating temperature range from +115 o to -40 o C).
• Copper of a certain brand tolerates the aquatic environment well, but for this a small part of the phosphorus is introduced into its composition. On such products there is an EN 1057 marking – in accordance with the DIN standard. Such pipes do not respond with water and are used both for the water supply and for heating.
• Do not require outdoor finishes. Copper pipes themselves look attractive and over time their appearance not to deteriorate. If there is a need to paint, then rather due to inconsistency with the new design of the room.

The appearance of copper pipes is rather appealing.

• Not afraid of frost: after thawing, the functioning continues. This is a very important quality for regions with harsh winters.
• Does not miss any gases, also oxygen, which is an active oxidizing agent.
• High resistance to oxidation.
• Smooth inner surface, reducing the likelihood of deposits, unlike steel pipes (PPR and MP have no deposits).
• Small temperature expansion coefficient.
• Like any substance, copper falls into the environment that transports (exclusion of glass and ceramics). With small dosages, this is useful – it has disinfectants. Earlier there were reports of the negative effects of a large amount of copper on health, but today no evidence has been found and copper is not considered harmful even in large doses.

Good list of benefits. However, there are drawbacks as well, some of which are severe:

• Incompatibility with other materials. In the presence of aluminum elements in the system, active electrochemical reactions begin. With a direct connection with products from other metals, destruction occurs quickly. To improve the situation, you can use brass adapters and fittings. But in one aluminum and copper system it is better not to combine: they enter into a reaction in which a large amount of gases are released, so in the absence of gas outlet valves the system may break.

There is an active destruction when materials come into direct contact with one another.

• High price. This applies to pipes and fittings. Another solder is required, which costs a lot and if not acquisition, then renting special equipment. The system as a whole is expensive. Especially when you consider that aluminum radiators cannot be put, cast -iron – a little better, but also bad, so it is advisable to put copper radiators, or bimetal with copper. Fitings for copper pipes
• In the presence of solid particles in the coolant, it quickly erases, as it is soft and plastic material. Therefore, a mechanical filter is needed to remove abrasive particles from the environment.
• Isolation from wandering currents is required: copper is a very good electricity conductor. Therefore, a well -made ground circuit and the presence of dielectric gaskets in the system are required.
• The complexity of installation work: necessarily special equipment. But you can use bronze crimp fittings, for the installation of which only the keys (divorce or rock) are required). Squeezing fittings for copper pipes are installed with hands, but you cannot monolize them into the walls
• Protection against mechanical influences or respect is necessary, otherwise in a few years there will be no pipes, but a shapeless pile of metal.

There are a few more attributes that can be linked to the benefits and drawbacks based on the perspective or circumstances:

• The first is high thermal conductivity. If copper heating pipes are laid openly – they radiate a sufficiently large amount of heat. Therefore, radiators may require less. This is a plus. With a closed laying in the wall or floor, careful thermal insulation is required so that the coolant through the pipe does not pass all the heat of the wall (this is especially possible when laying in the walls extending to the street). This is a minus.
• Softness and plasticity. On the one hand, this is good – the pipes using a special device can be bent to sufficiently large limits, which leads to a smaller number of connections and fittings. This is good. But the softness of the material blows that they need to be fixed through a short gap, and in some cases to make special boxes: at a high temperature of the coolant, copper can soften and lose shape. This is bad. The most pleasant moment is that when the copper pipes are deformed, therefore, the coolant circulation worsens. As a result, with a careless attitude and multiple curvatures, the efficiency of the system may decrease very much. Also not good.

Most of the problems that may occur during the operation of water pipelines are associated with low product quality. And these are not advertising tricks, but the results of operation: a correctly designed system consisting of proven elements works perfectly. If there is even a small fragment from the “left” material, problems begin. Example: Cold water and DHW water supply are assembled from copper, all materials used high -quality, branded, with the exception of one piece of the pipe (not enough) in the DHW wiring bought from the first tray on the market. The result – after a year and a half of operation, a blue film appeared on the plumbing, to which hot water was brought up (where only cold, there are no changes). The owners had to change the entire comb GVS due to the presence of an active process of corrosion in the “left” section of the pipe.

The majority of copper pipeline issues are related to low-quality materials.

You must be aware of the many kinds of components made, their varieties, areas of application, and markings in order to navigate stamps and purchase copper pipes that are suitable for heating.

Marking and cost

There are two types of copper pipes available: soft and hard. Solid for heating. Output form-linear segments, twisted at 5–10 m intervals, or bay segments, ranging in length from 2–5 m.

Copper pipes can be purchased with bays or segments.

Dimensions. The wall thickness is placed through the fraction or "x," and the outer diameter is expressed in millimeters (typically domestic production or from the CIS countries) or inches (imported): 22×1 mm (22/1 mm) has an outer diameter of 22 mm, a wall thickness of 1 mm, and an internal diameter of 21 mm (22-1 = 21), which is used to design heating systems. The wave thickness is adequate for wiring the home heating system at 0.8–1 mm.

Copper pipe diameters are designated externally, and the wall thickness is positioned through the fraction

In order not to make a mistake with the choice of diameter when wiring individual heating, it’s easier to “dance” from the boiler exit. This diameter will be your pipes before the first branching. If the system is small in all the wiring can be done with one pipe, but if it is large enough, you need to follow the rule: after each branching, a pipe with a diameter is used, smaller by one step along the dimensional grid. The branch to the heating device (radiator or heated towel rail) also goes less one step with the diameter. For example, 24mm comes out of the boiler, two branches are separated on the first branch, which are already 22mm pipes, and 20 mm departs to the radiators from it. “Return” is collected similarly, but from less to greater size. If a large area of several floors is heated, professional heat engineering calculation is desirable.

Typically, boiler fittings are made of brass or copper, but make sure to specify which one you’re using and keep in mind that copper cannot be directly connected to other materials. To avoid creating a chemical reaction when using bronze or brass fittings or adapters.

There are still pipes Extended and unhealthy e. Unlawed pipes have a large margin of safety: they withstand pressure up to 450 MPa, but do not bend very well: they can stretch only by 6%. To change their characteristics, they are heated to high temperatures, then cooled. The process is called anneal, and the products that after it turned out to be fifty. The margin of safety has become smaller-up to 22mpa, but elasticity is increased: the material can stretch by 50-60%. Also, the material has become more resistant to temperature differences, transfers ultraviolet and almost insensitive to high humidity without problems. Therefore, except copper is used not only in heating, but also in engines and car drives.

An illustration of a copper pipe soldered

Copper heating pipes are expensive. We can contrast:

• reinforced polypropylene pipes diameter 16mm – from 40 rubles/m;
• Metal -plastic pipes diameter 16mm – from 47 rubles/m;
• unheated copper diameter 10mm – from 280 rubles/m;
• Extended copper diameter 18mm – from 400 rubles/m.

Fittings will generally show the same image: copper, sometimes even more so than those found in metal-plastic systems. For instance, the most costly PPRs and MP pipes are not always provided; sometimes they are, but copper is also not always the most costly. That’s about the difference that you represent.

Installation of copper heating pipes

When assembling the pipeline, two types of connections are used: using fittings and welding. Through collapsible or pressing fittings, pipes with heating appliances are joined. Installation is also possible for connecting/branching of pipes, but welding is more often used for these purposes. When using annealed pipes in the right places, they can be bending, reducing the number of connections. A special device is used for bending – Pipe game. which allows you to get different angles without reducing the lumen of the pipe and not worsening the passage of the system. It is almost impossible to bend copper pipes with your hands: even though the material is plastic, but it is not possible to bend it manually without reducing the lumen. So this method is better not to use.

Since the lumen of the pipes decreases and circulation worsens when bent by hand, special equipment is required to bend the copper pipe.

In order to install compensatory fixtures No additional tools are needed; simply insert the pipe into the stop’s corresponding groove and twist it to press the pipe material into the fitting case with the nut’s assistance. For a tight fit, two keys might be required; pull up until the seal is fully sealed. All of the necessary equipment is this. However, the peculiarities of crimping compounds necessitate continuous tightening control because they periodically "drip." because it is impossible to wall off such compounds.

Press fittings are installed with the use of specialized press machines. They cost a lot, even with rental. However, the compound is trustworthy and sealed, albeit reluctant.

It is considered more universal and reliable Capillary soldering. In this way, you can connect the sections of the pipes of the same diameter directly: one of the welded ends is destroyed – the diameter is slightly increased so that the pipes can be inserted one into the other. To do this, use a special device. The junction is cleaned with a metal brush or special sponges (is on sale). The connected surfaces are treated with a flux – a special composition that improves the “adhesion” of metal with solder. Processed pipes are inserted one into another. The lumen between them should be minimal – the share of the millimeter. Then the connection is heated with a welded burner. Когда материал нагреется до температуры плавления припоя, его вносят в пламя и расплавленным составом заливают имеющиеся щели. After the seam is filled, it is cooled. You can just leave it in the air, until it cools, or can be lowered into the water. In principle, the process is not very complicated, but experience, dexterity and thoroughness of execution are required: both the collapse and the process of filling out the accuracy and accuracy itself. According to such a scheme, compounds with special copper fittings are soldered for rations.

Tin is used as solder since the copper pipe and fitting in the same video are intended for use in the water system, despite the fact that the process is skillfully demonstrated. Other compounds with a melting point of at least 115 °C are used for heating. The procedure remains the same otherwise.

How to paint copper heating pipes

The following details need to be considered when choosing paint: it shouldn’t be stretched, it shouldn’t change color in extreme heat, and it shouldn’t be exposed to outside influences. It is essential to use a non-ferrous metal primer in order to get the paint to lay down more smoothly. An appropriate lead-sugar primer 81.

It is also important to remember that paint does not absorb and that a brush must be used to spread it. However, staining can only be achieved fairly evenly after two layers. Paint in spray cans is more uniform, making it a little easier to work with.

Copper pipes can be painted, but multiple thin coats will need to be applied.

Oil paints cannot be used on copper pipes because the temperature causes them to darken significantly. The following hues work well: Alkyd enamel, polyurethane, Emali PF-115, 156, 167, 187, 223 and 519, and GF-0119. Use of varnishes such as VL-51 or ethinoleous varnish, to which 9k1 of aluminum powder is added, is permitted.

Reviews and operating experience

Someone considers copper pipes an excellent way out, but someone does not accept. But, in fact, this is characteristic of any techno and material. The only thing they pay attention to and what to listen to is that with an acidic environment, copper begins to collapse. Therefore, pour into a system or coolant with a neutral pH or with a low-base. Also do not recommend the use of steel, aluminum or cast -iron radiators. It is necessary to protect the system from wandering currents (grounding and dielectric gaskets are required), otherwise the chemical or electrochemical destruction begins. But in the central heating systems you will not get rid of the destruction: the coolant in them is saturated with iron, and if solid particles can be delayed with a filter, then there is no getting away from dissolved in it.

An additional piece of advice from a knowledgeable installer is that copper oxidizes when it comes into contact with concrete. The wall’s composition affects how quickly things break down, but it’s always preferable to install the pipe inside a PVC membrane or other insulator with comparable qualities.

Since copper pipes and concrete react actively, it is preferable to lay them in a protective shell.

More advice from the master, but he already concerns the soldering: it is important not to overdo it. Firstly, from an excess of diligence, you can brew the entire clearance (if a pipe of small diameter is especially relevant), secondly, when overheating of a soft solder, the paste is overheated, which is why it coxs, which leads to the formation of the fistulas, and thirdly do not overdo it with the amount of solder. If there is no experience, practice welding on small pieces of pipes: you can control the lumen and tightness of the connection. And after acquiring at least some experience, you can start welding the system.

As you can see, copper pipes for heating are a good, but not perfect option. There are many pluses of such material, but not less than minuses. Perhaps the onset of corrosion – this can be the result of an incorrectly selected composition of the coolant, high pressure or hydraulic unit. Moreover, it is worth considering that the service life of copper heating systems directly depends on the correct design and installation, that is, even if high -quality left -handers are used, but they are soldered or laid with “curves” with their hands, there will be no long -term operation. And specialists who work correctly with copper today oh how little, and their services (in appendage to materials) are also very expensive. Perhaps because they rarely put it today, especially since there is a good replacement – polypropylene (reinforced) or metal -plastic.

Lastly, a number of informative video tutorials. This video briefly discusses the various kinds of rods.

Also, the video content describes the manufacturing process for copper fittings. Fascinating…

Heating from copper pipes: efficiency without compromises

The developer must choose the pipe’s material even before designing the water heating system. In the post-Soviet era, polymers (polypropylene, stitched polyethylene) are typically preferred; metal (plastic), stainless steel, and regular steel are used less frequently. Heating copper pipes are spaced somewhat apart. While they are highly popular overseas, we hardly ever use them, and there is no disputing that copper is among the greatest options in terms of technical attributes.

Characteristics of copper heating systems

Advantages and disadvantages of copper pipes

Copper pipelines are nothing new; they have been used to wire water systems for a very long time. An abundance of positive experiences over the years has demonstrated that copper pipes are appropriate in all circumstances and typically exhibit the best "reliability/practicality" ratio. The special qualities of copper as a technological non-ferrous metal largely account for the benefits to consumers and operations of heating from copper pipes:

• The pipe without changing physical properties easily tolerates heating several hundred degrees (only at 600 0 C “annealing” occurs when the pipe loses its strength, but it becomes more plastic). Copper melts at a temperature of 1000 degrees, therefore, the heat exchangers of boilers are made from copper, which are located directly in the combustion chamber.

Copper pipes are used to heat wiring.

• Copper pipes maintain high working pressure (up to 30 atmospheres or more). Due to plasticity, they are not destroyed if the water freezes inside them.
• There is no corrosion, the material does not respond to UV radiation and active chemicals, which often saturate the coolant. The service life of copper pipes is at least 50 years.
• Copper pipes do not allow air diffusion into the coolant through the walls.
• Compared to polymers, copper has a several times smaller temperature expansion coefficient (not more than 1.5 millimeters per meter of 90 0 C), therefore it is used without problems at the output of the heat generator.
• Small roughness of internal surfaces reduces the hydraulic resistance in the system, due to which you can use less powerful pumps and use small diameter pipes compared to steel (but not polymer pipes). For the same reason, the deposits inside the pipelines do not accumulate.
• Due to the slight thickness of the walls of the pipes and fittings, the passage section in the joints does not change, so the hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline do not worsen. The highways are compact and light (1 linear meter of the 20th pipe with a wall of 1 mm weighs about 600 grams). With a comparable outer diameter, the internal section of copper pipes is much larger than that of steel or polymer.
• Copper is absolutely harmless to humans, it has soft antibacterial properties.
• This is a beautiful material. Often, for the sake of style, users deliberately choose the open installation of copper heating pipes.

The external hand-heating wiring contrasts nicely with the wooden walls.

Numerous drawbacks exist:

• The cost of copper pipes for heating is the highest among other options.
• Heating assembly technique is more complicated than, for example, a ration of polypropylene.
• Due to high thermal conductivity, the copper pipe is recommended to be laid in insulating sleeves to deliver heat to heating devices with the least losses.

Take note! Copper pipes are frequently limited to strapping boilers, which have the highest supply temperature. After that, they switch to more reasonably priced materials—for instance, reinforced polypropylene wiring—using threaded fittings.

Types of copper pipes

It is important to realize that there are various pipe types that differ greatly in terms of both their technical and consumer attributes when it comes to copper heating. There are several criteria that form the basis of the widely accepted classification.

In light of the available information:

• Unimaginated (hard) pipe. Produced in the form of straight sections up to 6 meters long. It has high strength, but a small coefficient of lengthening before the break (no more than 15 percent).
• An aggravated (soft, plastic) pipe turns out by "vacation" of blanks at a temperature of about 600-700 degrees. With a loss of strength by about 30%, extension indicators during the rupture increase to 60 percent.

A 25- or 50-meter-long flow pipe is created in bays using specialized equipment that can be bent to create a heated floor, for example.

By the material’s composition:

• Pure copper.
• Alloys with zinc or tin content.

Be aware that copper pipes are categorized by "brands" (M1, M2P, M3, and T.D.) and their chemical composition is standardized (GOST 859, GOST 15527).

According to the manufacturing process:

• Pluted (cold -deformed) pipe,
• Pressed.

• Whole pipes (do not have a seam).
• From the welded workpiece.

In terms of wall thickness:

• Thin -walled. Have walls with a thickness of 0.15 to 0.7 mm. For heating, they are rarely used.
• Thick -walled. Their walls have a thickness of 0.7 mm to 1 centimeter. In heating systems, products with indicators of 1-2 mm are most often used. The thicker the wall, the greater pressure can withstand the pipe.

By having or not having protection:

• Without isolation.
• Pipes in a rigid plastic casing (polyethylene, PVC), which protects communications from mechanical damage. Copper pipes are also produced in a shell made of foamed polyethylene, which prevents uncontrolled heat losses.

Copper pipe varieties with insulating shells

Video: Review of copper pipes

Installation of copper pipelines

It is safe to say that copper pipes are truly universal when installation technologies are taken into account. Generally, you can use fittings made by other manufacturers and select from a variety of connection methods using the same pipe. Based on the assignments given, you can carry out:

• welding;
• mechanical assembly (pressing, compression connection, clamp by self -fixing fittings);
• rations (hard or soft solder).

Typically weld pipes with a wall thickness of more than 1.5 mm and a diameter of 100 mm. The limitations of mechanical assembly include its unsuitability for locations hidden within building structures or enclosed in monoliths, as well as its comparatively high cost. Low-temperature rations and soft solder are frequently used in home heating systems; this calls for specific capillary fittings (the material should ideally be the same brand as the pipe).

As an alternative to mechanical assembly. Press to restore the connection.

Keep in mind that using solid solder requires heating the metal to 600 0 degrees or higher, which causes the copper in the connection zone to "anneal." For pipes with a diameter of 22 mm, high-temperature capillary soldering is necessary, for instance, if super-strength fixation is required or if the coolant will warm up to more than 170 degrees while the pipe is operating.

Preparation for capillary soldering

1. A pipe of the required size is cut off with a special tool.
2. Outside from the end of the workpiece, the chamfer is removed, which further reduces the hydraulic resistance in the connection zone.
3. An abrasive sponge, which does not contain metal fibers, on the outer surface of the pipe and inside the fitting, oxide film is cleaned.
4. A flux paste is applied and distributed over the entire area of contact with a brush (it is not necessary to use flux for solid solder).
5. The fitting is put on the pipe until the stop (preferably with a slight scroll).
6. The flux is removed from the surface of the rag.

Low -temperature ration of copper pipe

1. The connection zone is heated before the melting of the flux begins. The nozzle of the burner should be evenly moved around the neck.
2. The filler wire (solder) is smoothly carried out along the edge of the joint. If the pipe is located horizontally, then starting from below.
3. The solder will begin to melt and “moisten” the surface, thanks to the capillary effect, it will increase in the cavities between the walls of the connected parts.
4. The assembled node should cool naturally, without the use of water.

When soldering with superior quality, the solder fills in all gaps and creates a tidy, clean joint.

As you can see, making sound financial investments will pay off when using copper pipes for heating. When homeowners choose to install copper pipes, they get the best functioning qualities in terms of wiring, which is dependable and long-lasting. That explains why so many professionals are fans of this technology.

Video: Features of working with copper pipes

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Making the correct material choices for your heating system is essential to keeping your house warm and energy-efficient. Many homeowners have long preferred copper pipes because of their excellent heat conductivity, durability, and resistance to corrosion. They are therefore perfect for an efficient and dependable heating system.

The longevity of copper piping is one of its main benefits. Since copper doesn’t deteriorate as quickly as some other materials do, your heating system will last for many years without experiencing any serious problems. This can be especially helpful in places with harsh weather, where you need a dependable system to maintain a comfortable home.

Additionally, copper pipes provide some versatility. They can be utilized in baseboard heaters, underfloor heating, and radiators, among other heating systems. Because of its adaptability, you can create a system that meets the specific heating requirements and layout of your house. Furthermore, the inherent antibacterial qualities of copper help to keep water cleaner, promoting a healthier atmosphere at home.

It’s important to keep in mind, though, that copper pipes can cost more than alternatives like PEX. However, because copper is durable and requires little upkeep, this initial investment may pay off in the long run. For individuals who are concerned about their environmental impact, copper’s recyclable nature also makes it a more eco-friendly option.

All things considered, copper pipes are a dependable and effective choice if you’re thinking about updating the heating system in your house or planning a new installation. They provide an unmatched blend of performance, adaptability, and durability. The advantages in terms of longevity, energy efficiency, and health may outweigh the higher initial costs, making it a smart investment for your house.