PexUniverse.com's Tech&Specs

PexUniverse.com's Blog offering you detailed information on Know-How and How-To for all your DIY Plumbing and HVAC Needs.

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PEX Tubing vs. Copper pipe

For thousands of years, pipes have been copper, from ancient Egypt to the copper alloys of today. That copper is still used in plumbing today stands as testament to its reliability. Copper pipes from five thousand years ago are still semi-functional today, and copper can be used for up to 50 years or more in residential settings before needing to be replaced. So, if such is the case, why PEX?

  PEX Tubing:

The Pros:

Flexibility: PEX is made of cross–linked polyethylene that bends easily without breaking. This flexibility allows PEX tubing to be routed through the home without elbows and bends, as well as easy storage.

Less likely to burst: While copper will almost always burst if frozen, PEX can survive four or even five freezings, only expanding and contracting if it tears.

Greater water pressure: Because the interference patters of elbows and other fittings are not present to such a degree in PEX systems, the water flows without as many quick turns or bumping over fixtures. This results in less vacuums and pressure differentials, which keeps water flowing regularly.

Direct route: Because of its flexibility, a tube may be routed directly from a source to an outlet without elbows.

Ease of installation: Copper fittings require sweat and solder and takes much more time than the simple clamp and crimp method of installing PEX.

Lower cost: Copper tubing costs, on average, many times more than PEX. Additionally, all of the elbows are much more expensive than even the tube. The more fittings, the higher the price.

Non corrosive: PEX is not an alloy or a metal, and so does not corrode or suffer corrosion leaks like copper will.

Safety: The tools needed to cut and seal copper require heat and sharp blades or open flames, which can damage you or your home in an instant. PEX does not require such extreme measures.

PEX Pipes:

The Cons:

Decomposition and Degradation by exposure to sunlight: Because of the chemical makeup of PEX, direct exposure of the pipe to sunlight will cause it to crack, leak, and become brittle. In just as little as a month of exposure, leaks may occur. So, PEX is not suitable for outside installation or in sunlight within a building.

Perforation by insects: Seed bugs have been known to pierce through PEX tubing, causing damage to the PEX water pipe.

Initial adjustment: For centuries, most homes have been outfitted with copper, so PEX means that even professionals must get used to it. So, it is not uncommon that the first time they used, they are loose and inexpertly done.

Radiant oxygen injection: The polymer matrix on typical PEX tube expands as it is heated, which allows oxygen to seep into the pipe. This is in no way a problem for potable water pipes, but for radiant circulation systems, this injects oxygen which rusts and corrodes the pump and other parts.

Expensive fittings: PEX fittings are, in general, more expensive than copper fittings.

PEX Piping

All in all, when the time comes to switch a whole system, the change to PEX piping is best, as it is the more efficient and versatile.

PexUniverse — Plumbing & Heating Supplies

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Grundfos Circulation Pumps

Quantity usually doesn't coexist with quality, but Grundfos Circulation Pumps are an exception to the rule. Here we'll go over the basics of the brand. For more information, visit out blog at www.pexuniverse.com/blog. There are many varieties of Grundfos circulating pumps in a variety of different materials. For oxidized systems, for example, you might want to stay away from the cast iron models. For closed systems, or loop systems, the best Grundfos recirculating pump would be the cast iron, as it is hardier and can withstand higher temperatures.

The Grundfos Alpha 15-55F/LC Circulator pump has a variable speed with a built in check valve and line cord. It's energy efficient and can lower power consumption by up to 50%. It can go from temperatures 230 degrees F to 36 degrees F, and has a flow range of 0-21 gallons per minute (GPM).

There is also the Grundfos Comfort System. It has a bypass valve and timer that eliminates the wait for cold water to clear from a tap and hot water to fill the tap.

The Grundfos Magna Pump uses the most advanced technology with a cast iron variable speed circulator pump and a hot water recirculation system. These are really popular Grundfos hot water recirculating pumps, because they can adjust to your heating system. The factory installation settings and AUTOADAPT allow the pump and its sensors to measure and adjust to the consumption and type of heating system it has been added into.

PexUniverse — Plumbing & Heating Supplies

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Which PEX Valves can I use to regulate water flow?

Valves manually regulate the flow of water in a plumbing system. It's a convenient way of keeping parts of the system functioning even if another part breaks down, allowing the water to bypass the damaged part. And in a system that's more easily repairable - such as PEX - in this type of piping more valves are needed. The two types of PEX valve for this purpose are PEX Ball Valves and PEX Stop Valves. The two types of PEX valves are usually ""quarter-turn valves," or valves that a quarter turn of their handle will cause to stem or allow the flow.

PEX Stop Valves are usually installed near a sink or a toilet to connect the supply line to the fixture. They are made of a PEX (inlet) to OD compression (outlet) set of fixtures, and angle or straight. The angle turns ninety degrees, while the straight runs parallel. The PEX inlet and outlet options are all 1/2” PEX, and the OD compression outlets remain at 3/8”. All are lead free.

PEX Ball Valves contain a globule or sphere hollowed through the center by a hole bored through. Its open position is when it's parallel to the two lines; perpendicular (1/4 turn), it shuts off entirely. Because of the spherical stopper, these ball valves can resist higher pressures and temperatures than basic gates or stops.

It is available in two types:

1. PEX Ball Valves (PEX x PEX), which connects a PEX pipe to another PEX pipe.

2. PEX to Copper Ball Valves (PEX x C) which connects a PEX pipe to a copper pipe.

You connect these valves to PEX tubing, instead of female/male sweat or screw of copper or compression tubing. All you'd need to do is use the copper crimp ring and crimping tool.

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The Two Types of Utility Pumps

How do you deal with emergency flooding situations? A utility pump of course!

Here we have an overview of two kinds of utility pum. For more complete information, visit www.pexuniverse.com/blog

  Utility pumps are small or medium-sized and are easy to store so you can take them out when you need them. And when you do need them, they should be able to suck the liquid out quickly. Sometimes this might mean a window well has filled up with too much rainwater, or a waterbed needs to be filled or emptied. For both of these situations, a different kind of utility pump is needed.

Submersible Utility Pumps

And, Non-submersible Utility Pumps

Submersible pumps remove water from an air-tight area when they are completely underwater. They will continue to pump water until it can't anymore.

A non-submersible utility pump remains above water and will pump water out by means of a hose or nozzle - kinda like a vacuum cleaner! You'd use this one to clean out spot areas, like between cracks or crevices.

For deeper flooding, like that in a well, you'd probably want to use the submersible type. But for emptying a fish tank, or draining a waterbed, a non-submersible pump would work.

There are two major utility pump brands:

Little Giant and Liberty.

Little Giant makes both types of pumps.

The Little Giant 360 and 360S are both non-submersive that can pump as deep as 7 feet up to 45 feet high. The S of the 360S is for stainless steel if it happens to be exposed to water.

Little Giant also manufactures a submersible model, the 5-MSP Manual Submersion Sump/Utility Pump, which can handle just about any situation an average homeowner would encounter.

Liberty Utility Pumps manufacture both types of pump as well, for example the 260 Submersible Utility Pump, and the 331 Portable transfer pump are there top representaitves of both types. The 1/2 horse power pump is definitely the best choice for larger projects.

Check out pexuniverse.com for these or any other brands.

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I had a slow running drain in the bathroom sink.  This is how I fixed it with Liquid Plumbr.  It was quick and easy and required no tools.

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How Do Valves Work?

Sometimes - because we're tryin to save money or because it isn't as important - we want to heat certain areas, but not others. To do this, we need a zone valve with a circulator pump. This is a short guide that will explain how this technology works. For the full explanation, please visit our blog at www.pexuniverse.com/blog A zone valve holds liquid. When it's open, it shuts off the liquid and therefore the heat and does this for each heating zone. Usually, it'll turn on and off according to a set time. The zone valves can also be manually controlled by a central thermostat. Two of the most popular are made by Taco and Honeywell.

For Taco, we recommend:

Taco 570 Series Zone Valves sweat connections from 1/2” to 1 – 1/4” for basic hydronic and radiant heating.

Taco Geothermal Valves designed for geothermal heating systems produced in hot patches of earth. These valves are made to circulate water even before the heat pump starts up, to allow the geothermal heat to heat the water.

Taco 3-way zone valves are similar to the 570 series, but splits three ways allowing part of the water to be sent to a fan or other circulating device.

Taco Zone Sentry Valves are based on microcircuits, which control a gear driven actuator.

The other types are Honeywell Zone Valves, which coime with the thermostats. Their heads are geared for higher performance, and electronic operation. They come in a variety of sizes, from 1/2” to 1”, and are a fitting with a boxed in motor, which operates the mechanism of the valve. They also contain manual openers in the event of power outage.

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We love the Tacos, the Taco 007 Circulator Pump that is!

You wanna know the specifics about this model?

Visit the compete blog at: https://www.pexuniverse.com/blog/why-one-should-buy-taco-007-circulator-pumps/

Taco-HVAC, the maker of Taco circulating pumps has been making hydronic systems for three generations. They specialize in circulation for hydronic heating, like in radiant floor/panel heating, indirect water heating, or home water recirculation. But for the basic, ‘all around’  good pump, choose the Taco 007.

Like other Taco circulator pumps, The Taco 007 uses a wet rotor circulator. This means all moving parts in the pump are in a separable cartridge that can be removed for repair or replacement.

It is made either out of cast iron or out of stainless steel. The Taco 007 can pump at a rate of 0 - 23 gallons per minute (GPM) and it can displace water 0-10 feet in head range. They are also quiet and self lubricating, which protects against overheating or grating.

The stainless steel model

Generally used in open loop circulating systems, like from that of a well or the house water main line, which can oxidize corrodible metal.

Works at a maximum temperature of 230 degrees F (110 degrees C).

The cast iron

Used in closed loop systems for radiant heating (like floors or driveways) where ti doesn't mix with other water. It'll then be mixed with anti-freeze or other chemical additives.

Works at a maximum temperature of 240 degrees F (115 degrees C).

The Taco 007 and cartridges can be purchased at www.pexuniverse.com

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Expansion Tanks: What they are/How to use them

This is just a run-down. For complete specs and technical info, please visit www.pexuniverse.com/blog

Expansion tanks, or vessels, are small tanks that are used to regulate pressure in a domestic or closed water heating system. They have a rubber diaphragm that divides the tank into two parts. On one side, water enters, and on the other is compressed air with a valve that regulates the pressure. When the tank is empty, the air expands, and when it fills, the pressure increases. So, if there's a pressure spike, the tank will compress to correct the total pressure, rather than bursting a gasket. They are common enough in plumbing supply stores.

We carry several such mudels, like the Amtrol expansion tank.

For radiant heat or hot water hydronic system,pressure spikes common, so you might need a thermal expansion tank to regulate the pressure. Or, you could use a hot water expansion tank to help regulate pressure spikes caused by steam. Basically, these kinds of systems are very useful in dealing with fluctuations in pressure, because of that nifty little rubber diaphragm.

Amtrol has a whole line of thermal expansion tanks, all with high reviews from the professionals. There are also types used for heating and radiant applications, as well as for well-water and domestic-hot-water. Here are a few:

The well x trol tanks regulates the pressure in a well system

Therm x trol tank absorbs pressure differences caused by thermal contraction and expansion.

PexUniverse — Plumbing & Heating Supplies

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What are the parts of an electric radiant heating system?

Ok. Now we're getting into it. Electric floor heating: What is it? How does it work? 

As always, this is just a basic run down. For more complete information, please visit our blog at www.pexuniverse.com/blog

Basically, we run a system of cables under an insulated floor to radiate heat. The heat is generated by electrified metal alloy wires. And, as we all learned in science class, heat always rises - in this case - through the floor. Floor heated rooms are typically warmer with the heat more evenly distributed. And because the hot element is directly below the room, the loss of heat is much lower than with a traditional hot air circulator where hot air is in contact with varying forces (like drafts, but we'll get to that later). The parts of an electric radiant heating system are as follows:

Electric Radiant Floor Heating Cables, like these by Senphusto be used under the floor.

Temperature sensors and a thermostat connected to them.

Electric Radiant Floor Heating Mats that hold all the cables in a net of loops so as to evenly distribute heat. These contain a cable, heating elements, and are fully insulated and grounded.

Because the heat needs to be transmitted sdirectly through the floor, certain types of flooring are better than others.

Here's a short guide:

-Ceramic tiled floors work best as it radiates heat and maintains heat well.

- Wood is nearly equal in efficiency, but, depending on the type of wood, is may shrink or expand, crack of split as heat changes (the denser the wood the better).

- Carpeted areas are the least efficient as they will trap the heat at floor level.

Happy hunting! I hope that keep you all warm next winter!

PexUniverse — Plumbing & Heating Supplies

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What Kinds of Honeywell Thermostats Are There?

Today, I'm going to walk you through the different types of thermostats that PexUniverse carries by our friends over at Honeywell.

For more complete information, please visit: http://www.pexuniverse.com/blog

A Honeywell Thermostat, regardless the model (and there are plenty), can be set to control temperatures manually, or by programming either a date or a set temperature (for example, if it's set to 68-72 degrees, anything below or above that will trigger the thermostat). This is important in these days of tight economy! You can also set it to certain days of the week (for excample if you work out of town Mondays to Thursdays) or to times a day (so as to get home to a nice toasty apartment at the end of the day).

However, on the other end of the spectrum, there are the Honeywell Focus Pro Thermostats. These are non-programmable. These are normally installed in building-wide systems in combination with other devices such as the Focus PRO 5000 2H/2C, which is designed to control up to two heating or cooling conventional systems, and can be powered eithe by battery or hardwired right into the building's power supply.

The Honeywell Vision Pro Thermostats are the most popular because of programmable, easy-to-use features. These include:

programmable for 7 unique days at a time from a large LCD screen

Adaptive Intelligent Recovery, meaning it responds to fluctuations in temperature caused, for example, by an open window

Precise Temperature Control that is accurate within a degree

PexUniverse — Plumbing & Heating Supplies

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How do I use a Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

We all want to be eco-conscious these days, but if you visit a plumbing store or do an internet search on solar or radiant heating, internet research, or perhaps by hearsay, you'll find a heat exchanger pretty handy.

It's used to transfer heat between two liquids. To work, there's an element that separates the two liquids and it's this division that transfers the heat.If it's a good heat exchanger, there will be a lot of surface area through which to transfer the heat.

There are two types of heat exchangers: liquid – to – liquid and liquid to air heat. An example of the liquid to air type is like the old steam radiator used in some old houses (or buildings in NYC). 

But the brazed plate heat exchanger is used to transfer heat between two liquids. Applications of these heat exchangers include

snow melting systems: where hot water is needed

swimming pools where warmer water is needed

Everhot makes a few well-tested and reliable models.

For the water to air kind, Brazetek Water to Air Heat Exchanger. These are like home radiators modified for efficiency. In these particular models, that means a series of corrugated copper tubes. These ensure the heat gets exchanged at the maximum amount of intensity - just be sure not to stand too close!

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How to make PEX connection

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Earth Day Special:

Are Tankless Water Heaters The Wave of The Future?

We're hoping the days of large gas guzzling water boilers are done! And if they are, then that means that we're using a tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters provide a way to heat water "inline," or in a continuous flow, as the water is needed. If you're having problems imagining how it works, imagine a pan with cold water coming in on one end, and hot water going out on the other.

The result? Endlessly hot running water.

At PexUniverse, we carry two kinds of tankless water heaters, the Takagi and the Stiebel tankless water heater. The latter model comes with natural gas or propane-fueled tanks, and the former by electricity.

Takagi: A Connoisseur's Delight

Heating up to 200 to 500 gallons per hour, Takagi deserves some serious praise.That's more than 6 average bathtubs full in an hour! But wait, it goes further. There are two types, indoor and outdoor, both available in gas-burning or propane-burning options.

Takagi T-K4-IN-LP Tankless Water Heater

      Pros:

Suitable for up to 3 bathrooms in a residential home. You gotta admit, that's pretty good!

Four settings, 113F, 122F,131F, and 140F

Heats up to 8 gallons per minute!

      Cons:

Fuel efficiency depends on how much energy it takes to heat the water, and that depends on so many things, among them: atmospheric temp, ground water temp, etc. You know what that means! Winter temperatures in the Northern climes and you'll see those numbers soar!

Takagi models rely on fuel to power them, ample ventilation is needed.

Stiebel: Innovative and Environmental

Tired of choking on fumes? Stiebel Eltron's electrically powered tankless water heaters provide an Earth-friendly solution.

Tempra 36 Plus Electric Tankless

      Pros:

Not needing ventilation sure does reduce the price!

Also, because you're not using ventilation, you're effectively saving up 5 to 20% efficiency

The 36 plus is programmable to turn on during the times of day when hot water is used more

Can heat water for 4 bathrooms in warmer places (groundwater temp 70F); or 3 bathrooms in colder places (groundwater temp 40F)

Advanced Flow Control keeps the flow of water and the temperature constant according to the demand for water

      Cons:

Costs more than the Takagi models.

What do you think? What are you using in your home?

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Welcome PexUniverse to Tumblr! We're New Here!

Here at PexUniverse, we are ready to share with you our technical knowledge and expertise in promoting all things PEX.

We run a user's manual and a resource center for specifications on how to properly handle PEX products.

We can't wait to hear from and join with you!

Please visit us at www.pexuniverse.com!

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Features of PEX Tubing with Oxygen Barrier

Cross-linked polyethylene commonly know asPEX Tubing  has successfully taken the place of non-corrosive materials (such as stainless steel, brass, bronze) due to their insulating quality and cost efficiency. PEX Tubing is now widely used for hydronic radiant  heating, cooling, and snow melting systems. It can easily be installed in concrete, sand, under wood flooring, or behind wallboard or plaster. PEX Tubing with Oxygen Barrier also works tremendously  when used for thebaseboard heating systems with a maximum operating temperature of 200° F @ 80 psi.

Here are some features of PEX tubing to get you familiar with the capability of these tubes.

1.      Internal heating system:Now a days all commercial and residential establishments have a central Internal heating system. The biggest and foremost  reason of installing PEX tubing is the elimination of any  expansion, tear or split of metal pipe which is the main cause of water leakage and lets the oxygen enter into the heating system causing rust and decrease the efficiency and life span of  the parts.

2.      However, the PEX tubing with oxygen diffusion barrier coating doesn’t let the oxygen  penetrate the pipe walls,  thus leaving no possibility of over-saturation of the water with oxygen.  As far as heating systems and boiler piping concerns, there is no way for oxygen to enter into the PEX tubing  due to oxygen barrier coating, therefore no rust and longevity of the heating system.

3.      Flexible, so no need of additional  connections: PEX Tubing with Oxygen Barrier is so flexible  that the installer can  install it without using  joints or T connections. Turning the tube is enough to get a turn  that  provides enough space to pass the material and less costly and time saving because no need of extra connections  to get them installed 4.      Leak Resistance  and Anti-Corrosion: Any additional joint is always one of the  reasons of leakage that eventually damage the structure.  Use of PEX pipes  doesn’t need any extra joint  due to high flexibility,  hence  eliminate the possibility of leakage and replacing the pipes.  PEX Tubing with Oxygen Barrier saves the ferrous components  of the heating system from  rusting  and maintains  the warranty on various components.

5.      Excellent for floor heating:  Floor heating is used in various dimensions such as snow melting, floor heating in residential and commercial property, farm shop (poultry breeding, greenhouse and seed bed).  Certain materials in the  soil  in  the contract  of air tend to deteriorate  and decomposed as the time passes by and destroy the flooring . The PEX tube is  more resilient even in such conditions like corrosion. Floors are secured and last longer.

6.      PEX Tubing with Oxygen Barrier has the ability to expand and  contract as the weather changes so it is less likely to freeze or break. Made of a high-density polymer and due to their insulating quality, PEX tube forms a barrier between the outside  atmosphere and the heat travelling through the pipes, preventing heat from losing. Due to this feature, these pipes are also known as PEX  oxygen barrier pipes.