Quote:
Originally Posted by Vlad
Most things that were said were theory but reality is simple
HDPE wins over PEX and Copper because:
1. It is cheapest compere to PEX and copper.
2. It does not corrode like copper and PEX fittings
3 It is proven (all formulas and calculations are based on its properties)
HVAC equipment MUST work 20-25 years (radiant floor part- 50 years) and not 5 or 10. You have no way to test reliability of copper and pex.
Many houses were built using copper tubing inside concrete slabs for heating. Most of them leaked 10-15 years later. Copper fails even indoors you want to use it outdoors???
If you want to reinvent the wheel I would rather use your energy on something more useful.
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But, we are on a DIY thread, not a mass production thread. So there are far more variables that can be considered, not the least of which are soil conditions and resulting installation types and resulting labor. And you're equating copper embedded in concrete with copper in soil, which is totally different. Concrete is extremely alkaline which will corrode most things including your skin
I'm not concerned with the longevity of the system, I don't plan to live here more than a a few more years. So advising me to not TRY copper tubing for my project based on the premise of longevity isn't a reasonable argument.
I guess my point is saying "there are some points to consider before choosing a ground loop material" is far different from "copper won't work."