Is a piping installation in your future? Whether the project is for new construction or to upgrade your existing residential plumbing system, you’ll want to know about all your options.
Copper and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) are the top two picks if you insist on high-quality materials. Beyond that, each pipe offers a unique set of fancy features and desirable traits. Let’s take a look at what makes PEX and copper pipes different and what each pipe can bring to the table.
Impact on Real Estate Value
Pipes are expensive, so you’ll want the best possible return on your investment. Copper pipes look opulent. They radiate wealth and good taste wherever they appear.
Potential buyers often consider copper pipes to be “better” than their plastic cousins. This is partly because copper pipes have proven their reliability and durability over time, whereas the reliability and durability of PEX pipes is still under consideration.
Can These Pipes be Recycled?
Both types of pipes can be reused. Excess copper can be melted and recycled for new piping. PEX pipes cannot be melted. However, they can be ground up after cross-linking for reuse as filler in a multitude of materials from composite lumber to traffic barriers.
PEX is a byproduct of oil or natural gas that’s already being extracted for other energy uses. Extraction for other energy use is, therefore, unnecessary. PEX doesn’t require the extraction of natural resources just to make the tubing.
What About Energy Use?
In plumbing systems, copper loses more energy than plastic. Copper is a conductor. It loses heat energy as it traverses the plumbing system on its way to the nearest faucet. On the other hand, plastic is a non-conductor with high insulation qualities. It uses 15% less energy than copper systems to maintain a consistent water temperature.
The longer it takes to heat water, the more electricity is wasted. Water volume is lost, too. Copper pipes waste about 33% more water than plastic pipes overall.
PEX has high insulation capabilities. It can maintain a consistent water temperature for long periods of time. Both variables give PEX the clear advantage as far as energy consumption goes. Process energy makes up 97% of total energy used in copper piping systems. For polyethylene, energy use is only 26%.
How Long Do These Pipes Usually Last?
Longevity is a key component in any kind of piping system. The longer the lifespan of the pipe, the less likely it is that you’ll have piping problems down the road. When it comes to copper versus PEX, copper wins by a landslide.
Copper pipes last about 20 years longer than PEX. They have an average service life between 50 and 70 years. By comparison, PEX pipes only last between 30 and 50 years. Copper pipes have proven reliability and durability that’s been solidly substantiated over many years.
Are These Pipes Difficult to Install?
Copper pipes are superior to PEX pipes in many respects, but not in all. Sometimes, PEX pipes are the better choice. By and large, a pipe installation using copper pipes will always be more difficult than a pipe installation with PEX pipes.
Installing copper pipes will also take longer and cost more than installing PEX pipes. Additionally, the manufacturing process increases copper pipe installation costs even more. A copper piping installation should only be undertaken by a qualified plumber with years of experience and expertise using specialized tools and fittings.
Cost-effective Pipe Installation
If your estimated installation costs with copper pipes exceed your plumbing budget, a PEX piping installation can give you affordability and superior quality.
Although copper pipe installations are only performed by experienced plumbing experts, PEX installations can be completed by most any experienced plumbing professional with ease. PEX is a flexible material that’s easy to work with and install.
Copper Pipe Maintenance
Copper pipes need regular maintenance to prevent leaks, corrosion and limescale buildup. Keeping copper pipes in tip-top condition prevents them from deteriorating in the future. Copper pipes look strong and elegant, but they need regular care to display themselves properly. On the other hand, PEX piping requires zero maintenance.
Characteristics of PEX Piping
PEX is a nonconductor of energy with insulation properties. It can keep water at a desired temperature using only minimal energy. Copper pipes, on the other hand, can waste up to 32% more water compared to plastic pipes like PEX. Here is a quick look at plastic pipe performance and what we’ve learned about PEX pipes thus far:
- Doesn’t need special parts, tools or equipment
- Most plumbers can install PEX piping
- Uses less energy in the manufacturing process than copper pipes
- Reduces the potential for leaks
- Vulnerable to damage caused by UV rays, harsh chemicals, corrosion and caustic solvents
The only real issue with PEX pipes is a lack of long-term data about the performance of these pipes over time. For example, PEX may not tolerate high and low temperatures as well as it was originally thought. Plastic pipes should not be used for outdoor plumbing applications unless they are carefully protected from direct sun.
Easy Access to Residential Water Supply
PEX piping systems were designed to make it easy for homeowners to access their pipes using valves that lead to different parts of the water supply throughout the home.
Using the valves provided by the system, you can turn off the water supply to the dishwasher or to the bathtub instead of turning off the water supply for the whole house or to a water-based appliance. Copper pipes require you to turn off the water supply for the whole house to fix a leaky faucet.
Before you choose between copper pipes and PEX pipes, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We’d love to have a private chat with you, assess your plumbing situation and share our recommendations. Consultations are free. As premier plumbers in Pensacola, FL, we’ve been keeping water in its place for the Pensacola community since 1996.