PEX over copper for our plumbing
After putting up low-VOC drywalls, we are on to the water installation for yök Casa + Cultura’s eco-renovation. One of our goals is to keep the apartments 100% PVC-free. We also aim to use materials in such a way that they can be recycled in the future. And we don’t believe that all plastics are bad. When it comes to the water pipes, we think that a non-toxic plastic plumbing system is the better solution to the traditional copper one.
For our pipes, we use PEX, or crosslinked polyethylene, by Uponor. The tubes are flexible, easy and quick to install, and long-lasting. Uponor explain on their blog that “the process by which copper is mined, refined, transformed into end products, and then used—such as pipe—is very energy intensive, using a great deal of non-renewable energy during its lifetime. In fact, if a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is undertaken for both PEX and copper, PEX fare much better. Simply put: during its lifetime, a PEX-based system has a lower overall energy content than a similar system made from copper.”
Copper is indeed more expensive, and even though it is also recyclable, requires a lot of energy to do so. Our workers say that installing PEX is much more comfortable than copper.
Benefits of Uponor PEX over Copper and CPVC according to Uponor:
– Flexible for fewer fittings, reduced leak-point liability
– Resists corrosion, pitting and scaling
– Retains more heat in hot-water lines
– Resists condensation on cold-water lines
– Expands up to 3X its diameter to help resist freeze damage
– Connections do not require the use of dangerous chemicals or solvents
– Offers a complete lead-free system from inlet to faucet
– NSF International certification for water purity
– Backed by a 25-year limited warranty on PEX tubing and ProPEX fittings
Last but not least, the PEX we buy in Spain is made in Spain, just like our drywalls.