Which Are the Best Pipe Materials During the Winter?

Frozen pipes can split open and cause severe water damage that's costly to repair. One way to minimize or even avoid this frustrating event is to use the best pipes in freezing temperatures. Let's help you out by discussing the three common pipe materials and their ability to withstand freezing conditions.

Copper

Copper pipes lose heat quickly. Additionally, the thin pipe walls don't expand to accommodate swelling frozen water. As a result, copper pipes are more prone to bursting in freezing conditions than the other two pipe materials.

PVC/CPVC

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) are from the same plastic-pipes family. CPVC pipes are stronger and can handle higher water temperatures than PVC pipes. CPVC pipes are less rigid and have thicker walls than copper pipes. CPVC pipes expand slightly, so it won't burst as fast as copper. Nevertheless, it's vulnerable to frozen weather. CPVC pipes will crack if they endure low temperatures for very long.

PEX

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has the best chance of surviving freezing temperatures compared to copper and PVC/CPVC pipe materials. The chemical structure of PEX allows it to stretch farther to accommodate the water in the pipe as it freezes and expands. PEX pipes can thaw and contract back to their original dimensions without rupturing.

PEX piping is better at withstanding pressure increases and accommodating frozen water in the winter than the alternatives. Nevertheless, it can burst if there's considerable swelling and pressure from frozen water. There are several ways to make PEX and other plumbing materials more resistant to freezing, including:

• Insulating the pipes, especially those in attics, basements, and those close to outside walls

• Sealing leaks that could allow cold air into your home

• Shutting off the water to your outdoor faucets and disconnecting and storing garden hoses

• Opening cabinet doors to let warm air reach your pipes

While PEX is the best pipe material in freezing conditions, it may not be ideal for every plumbing application in your home. A local plumber can help you choose the best pipe materials for different applications. Contact us at Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs in the Broken Arrow area.

Which Home Pipe Material Is Best in Winter?

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Frozen pipes can cause devastating water damage when they burst. You can minimize or avoid this damage by using the best pipe material for winter. Let's explore the susceptibility of the common pipe materials to freezing and bursting to establish the one that holds up the best in cold weather.

Copper

Copper pipes are widely used because of their strength, resistance to corrosion, and longevity. A major disadvantage of these pipes is that they lose heat quickly and have a thin wall that's not flexible. These factors make them the most susceptible to bursting in frigid temperatures.

Copper pipes don't expand when the water inside them freezes. The swelling of frozen water places excess pressure on the thin walls, causing them to split open or burst eventually.

PVC and CPVC

CPVC pipe material is less rigid, have thicker walls, and lose heat more slowly than copper pipes. The pipes expand a little to minimize the pressure of frozen water on their walls, making them not burst as quickly as copper. Nevertheless, PVC and CPVC pipes are brittle. They crack when forced to endure freezing conditions for too long.

PEX

PEX is a very flexible plastic material that can stretch enough to accommodate water that's freezing and expanding inside of it. It withstands freezing conditions longer than PVC/CPVC and copper pipes.

Even PEX has its limits. It can still burst when there's considerable swelling and pressure from the frozen water. However, when PEX bursts, the fittings usually blow off first. Therefore, it's essential to connect PEX using fittings that can withstand freezing temperatures. You can make PEX and other types of pipes more resistant to freezing and bursting by disconnecting or securing outdoor faucets and wrapping insulation around the pipes in your attic, basement, and near outside walls.

Although PEX holds up the best in cold temperatures, you can't use it in every application. Your home needs different pipe materials, so it's best to contact a professional plumber when you're unsure of the best type of pipe for your specific project. Contact Air Assurance for all your plumbing needs in the Broken Arrow area.

What is the Two Way Pipe System for High Efficiency Services?

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, there are all sorts of ways to save energy. One of the best ways is to invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system. For high-efficiency furnaces, one method worth considering is the two way pipe system. It not only heats your home using less energy, it also improves indoor air quality and saves wear and tear on the unit. Here's what you need to know.

What Is a Two Way Pipe System?

Most ordinary furnaces draw air from inside your home. They heat that air and recirculate it back into your home. Exhaust is then vented out of the chimney.

A two way pipe system has a pipe connected to the outdoors, which leads directly to the furnace. That pipe draws in fresh, outdoor air, which is heated and circulated through your home. Then another pipe takes the exhaust and vents it back to the outside.

Benefits of a Two Way Pipe System

When air is drawn from inside your home, it creates extra pressure within your system. This makes it easier for cold air to get drawn into the house through cracks, gaps, and leaks. A two-pipe system creates a better pressure balance, which helps keep cold air from getting in, thus saving energy. The pressure relief also keeps your furnace from working as hard so it can last longer and not break down as often.

Finally, a two-pipe system provides better indoor air quality. In winter, the same, stale air tends to circulate through your HVAC system over and over again, becoming more polluted over time. By drawing air in from the outside, then exhausting it out of the house again, you can break the cycle and ensure you always have clean, fresh air in your home. (Remember that outdoor air tends to be much cleaner than the air in your home.) This way, you can eliminate those contaminants and breathe easier all season.

If you're considering a two way pipe system for your heating needs, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality home-comfort solutions to the Broken Arrow area.

What Is the Connection Between Plumbing and HVAC?

The connection between plumbing and your HVAC system may not seem obvious at first. Though your household pipes don’t generate heating or cooling, your HVAC components do produce water — sometimes a lot of it — that requires plumbing to drain it all away properly. 

Two parts of the cooling and/or heating system need plumbing connections to convey water out of the house:

• Central AC. Humidity reduction is an essential part of the cooling process in a central air conditioner. The indoor evaporator coil in the AC can condense many gallons of condensate water every day during operation in hot, humid summer conditions. This condensate drips down into a collection pan beneath the indoor air handler, then flows through a pipe connected to the household drain system.

• High-efficiency furnace. Unlike standard-efficiency furnaces, high-efficiency models incorporate a secondary heat exchanger that extracts extra heat by condensing water vapor that's present in the furnace exhaust airflow. This water collects in a plastic reservoir, then is taken by gravity through a sloped drain tube and is discharged outside the house.

What Can Go Wrong?

A clogged central AC drain pipe, often a result of algae or mold growth inside the condensate collection pan, will rapidly overflow every time the air conditioner cycles on. Because the location of the pan is beneath the air handler, occupants of the house may not notice the ongoing overflow before substantial water damage to the floor and adjoining area has occurred.

A high-efficiency furnace has a safety sensor that detects clogs in the water drain tube. If drainage stops, the sensor will automatically shut down the unit. Heating function cannot be restarted until the clog issue is resolved by an HVAC service technician. 

Prevention Is Preferable

Annual preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC contractor includes addressing plumbing issues that may affect heating and cooling systems. The service includes an inspection and cleaning to support proper function of both the AC condensate pan and drain pipe, as well as the high-efficiency furnace drain system.

For professional service to prevent or repair plumbing issues associated with your HVAC system, contact Air Assurance.