Selecting the appropriate plastic pipe type for your home heating system is an important choice that can impact not only the system’s dependability and efficiency but also its overall costs and long-term maintenance. With so many different kinds of plastic pipes on the market, builders and homeowners need to know what their options are in order to make an informed decision. This article will walk you through the various types of plastic pipes that are used in heating systems, emphasizing their benefits, qualities, and optimal use scenarios.
Because they are less expensive than traditional metal options and have greater flexibility and resistance to corrosion, plastic pipes are becoming more and more common for use in heating systems. The three most prevalent kinds are cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), polypropylene (PP), and polybutylene (PB). Whether it’s solar energy systems, radiant heating, or underfloor heating, each type has unique features that are appropriate for a certain use case. We will investigate these materials’ resistance to pressure, heat, and chemical reactions in a heating system.
It’s crucial to take the environment, installation ease, and temperature tolerance into account when choosing pipes for your heating system. For instance, PEX is well known for its flexibility and heat resistance, which makes it a popular choice among homeowners. However, PP has good thermal stability and is usually employed in systems that need to operate at higher temperatures. You can select a pipe material that not only satisfies your heating requirements but also takes into account your financial and environmental concerns by comparing these features.
We’ll go into more depth about each kind of plastic pipe and look more closely at their advantages and disadvantages in the sections that follow. This comparison will help you determine what to expect in terms of longevity and performance, as well as why certain pipes are better suited for particular heating applications. You ought to have a better idea of which plastic pipe will work best for your home’s heating requirements by the time you finish reading this article.
| Type of Plastic Pipe | Advantages |
| PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) | Flexible, easy to install, resists scale and chlorine, doesn"t corrode or develop pinholes |
| PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) | Cost-effective, good for high-pressure applications, lightweight |
| CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) | Withstands higher temperatures, suitable for hot and cold water, offers good insulation properties |
Types of polymer pipes for heating systems
Owing to intense competition in this industry, companies that produce engineering systems work hard to provide a reasonably priced product that is simple to install and operate with skill. While polymeric materials have limited applications, pipes’ technical indicators are continuously improving in this regard.
There are currently three categories of products available on the market that are made of different materials:
- polypropylene pipes (PPR);
- Products made of stitched polyethylene;
- Metalloplasty pipes.
It is important to note that there are advocates and opponents for each of the three varieties, among them homeowners who favor a particular option. Analyzing the true benefits and drawbacks of plastic pipes for heating is essential to evaluating their qualities objectively. Only then can you make an informed decision.
Plastic pipe durability, heat tolerance, and ease of installation are important considerations when selecting pipes for home heating systems. Because of their low maintenance needs, flexibility, and ability to withstand high temperatures, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes are frequently chosen. They are less likely to leak than other kinds and can tolerate the normal thermal expansion and contraction of heating systems. PEX pipes are also simpler to install, which can lower project costs overall. These factors make PEX pipes an excellent option for dependable and effective home heating installations.
Polypropylene heating systems
Three performance options are available for this kind of plastic pipe:
- low -temperature polypropylene for cold and hot water supply;
- with a reinforcing fiberglass insert for heating;
- reinforced with aluminum foil, have stabi marking.
As one might expect, water heating systems are installed using only reinforced plastic pipes. Some woe-masters still attempt to use low-temperature products for this purpose, but it is not possible. It is a known fact that polypropylene has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. One meter of the pipe’s PPR may "grow" by as much as 60 mm due to the coolant’s high temperature. This extension is limited by the reinforcing layer; 1 m of products made of fiberglass will add 15 to 30 mm upon heating to 50 °C, and products made of aluminum foil will add no more than 11 mm.
The cost of the pipes and fittings is what draws in systems from PPR. The latter is particularly attractive because it is the least expensive type of connector when compared to other connector types. Sadly, this is where all of the material’s benefits end, and that is why. The ease of installation, a topic that PPR supporters frequently discuss, is fictitious.
The inability to verify the solder quality after soldering is the primary disadvantage of polypropylene. We’re all hoping for the installer’s experience and diligence.
You need to have excellent credentials and quality tools in order to install plastic pipes in a high-quality manner on your own. The joint may prove to be defective, and it is only worthwhile to withstand the soldering temperature or the amount of time the connected parts are exposed. Overheating will melt the inner plastic portion and obstruct half of the inner diameter, while minor exposure will eventually cause the connection to leak. And check to see if it won’t work by looking inside the pipe. When the marriage causes the highway’s throughput to decrease, it will eventually be discovered.
Linear elongation is another flaw in PPR pipelines. Even with the reinforcement, heating causes the pipe to notably elongate. Once more, the highway will unavoidably bend an arc if the master is not highly qualified to measure the workpieces accurately, heat them using plastic pipes, and attach them to the wall. This occurs when fixed fasteners are used instead of moving ones, or when the ends rest against the walls in the corners after installation.
Polypropylene pipes are not suitable for arranging heated floors with a frozen screed because of their characteristics.
Pipe from polyethylene
The process of joining the substance molecules in a specific order is referred to as "stitching," so you shouldn’t be looking for any seams on the pipes’ exterior. The installation of polyethylene plastic pipes does not result in issues like PPR even in the absence of reinforcement. The wiring is best done on movable clips, but their lengthening is so slight that this factor cannot be considered. Here, various compressive and threaded fittings are used to form the joints.
The cost of polyethylene pipes and related components is higher than that of polypropylene pipes. However, mounting this material is simpler and requires no pricey tools. Goods look considerably better and bend subtly to a specific radius. It is possible to use polyethylene stitched pipe in any type of water heating system, including warm floor systems.
As a point of reference. It is sufficient to cut off and expand the end of the Uponor heating plastic heating pipes, along with a special ring by the expander, before simply attaching it to the fitting. The material’s "memory" will cause the pipe to snap back into place and firmly encircle the fitting.
The sole disadvantage of polyethylene is thought to be its "memory." The material "remembers" this position when the product is wound into the bays at the factory and refuses to come out of it when it is lying. There is a small wave in the laid line regardless of the number of wall fasteners.
Metal -plastic pipelines
This is the most popular kind of heating pipe, and it has been shown through years of use, so all of its advantages and disadvantages are known. The pipe is resistant to the hot coolant and can be bent calmly during installation thanks to its two layers of stitched polyethylene with an aluminum insert sandwiched in between.
By the way, mounting such heating from plastic pipes is very easy because the material has no "memory" and readily adopts the required shape. Fittings are utilized in the process of connecting.
A weak point in metal-plastic systems is the fittings. Although threaded can be readily gathered with common tools, they are thought to be costly and unreliable. Pressure (crimp) connectors are very dependable, but they need to be assembled using a unique tool called squima ticks. Due to the fact that plastic and metal are not interchangeable, all of these factors have an impact on the price of materials and installation labor. However, it is dependable, long-lasting, and suitable for a heated floor.
Note: A restricted range of products could also be viewed as a drawback. 50 mm is the largest diameter for metalloplasty pipes.
Durability, thermal efficiency, and ease of installation are all important considerations when choosing the best plastic pipes for home heating systems. Compared to conventional metal pipes, plastic pipes—especially those composed of polypropylene (PPR) and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)—offer a number of advantages. They have a lower thermal conductivity, are lightweight, and are resistant to corrosion, all of which help to prevent heat loss.
Particularly PEX pipes are known for their strength and flexibility, which makes them perfect for heating systems that need long runs without joints and tight bends. This adaptability lowers installation costs and drastically lowers the chance of leaks. PEX is a good option for both high and low temperature heating systems because of its resistance to high pressures and temperatures.
PPR pipes, on the other hand, are very popular because of their chemical resistance and environmental friendliness, which guarantee that they don’t corrode or build up inside. They are therefore very effective at preserving a heating system’s longevity and efficiency. Furthermore, PPR pipes are simple to install because of their strong, leak-proof connections, which are made possible by fusion welding.
In conclusion, each type of pipe—PPR or PEX—has unique benefits that can meet the demands of a heating system. The installation’s particular needs, such as temperature requirements, layout complexity, and financial constraints, should be taken into consideration when choosing between them. Because of its adaptability and durability, PEX is usually adequate for the majority of residential heating applications, while PPR might be chosen in situations where chemical resistance and joint strength are crucial. Make sure that the pipe you select complies with the building codes and standards in your area.
