Baseboard heating offers our homes adequate heat during cold seasons. They are also important, especially for a household raising small children affected by the cold. Baseboard heating is preferred since the system does not blow out air – meaning there will be fewer allergens and dust in the room.
PEX provides a cheaper alternative to copper for baseboard heating. Therefore, you can use PEX tubing in the water heater to allow water flow within the system.
PEX has a high heat resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 93 degrees Celsius. When installing, it will be essential to consider the requirements and codes of the piping system.
PEX piping is becoming common as a replacement for copper tubing due to its flexibility and availability. Aluminum and copper tubing are far much expensive compared to PEX. Since PEX can be applied to solve the same solution, most people find it a suitable replacement.
Can You Use PEX For Baseboard Heating
Not only is PEX cheaper than aluminum or copper, but it is also durable and can serve you for a more extended period. Therefore, PEX can be used for baseboard heating fittings.
You can use PEX since it is designed and fabricated to supply water from one point to another. PEX can be used to provide both hot and cold water.
PEX offers a perfect replacement for copper since it’s made explicitly for closed-loop systems. Due to the nature of PEX material, it is easy to complete installations for your baseboard.
Also, it can be used in areas that are difficult to access. In addition, unlike copper and aluminum fittings, PEX does not require complicated and expensive procedures such as soldering.
There are many benefits of using PEX for your baseboard heating system. Due to its flexibility, it can easily be installed in squeezed spaces and behind cabinets. Also, PEX does not get rust and will remain in good condition for a long time.
Unlike most metals, PEX does not corrode easily. You can easily fit PEX tubing on your baseboard heating system, even on old houses that do not have the conventional plan.
However, it is vital to ensure it does not get damaged by sunlight. Intense UV rays easily damage PEX. In this case, make sure to install your baseboard heating appliance in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight.
What Is The Temperature Rating Of PEX Pipe
PEX piping material can withstand extreme environmental conditions. PEX’s ability to withstand harsh temperatures and conditions makes it highly applicable in the plumbing industry.
PEX is used in most home piping systems due to its durability and ability to withstand hot and cold conditions.
PEX tubing material can withstand temperatures of up to 93 degrees Celsius (200 degrees Fahrenheit). You can use PEX in your plumbing project since the tube can withstand the heat of up to 82 degrees Celsius in normal working conditions.
Notably, the temperature limitation or rating for different installations is highlighted on the PEX prints.
On the other hand, PEX can also withstand freezing temperatures, protecting your system from damage. Usually, under freezing conditions, the water expands in volume and, if not managed, can cause damage. However, since PEX is highly flexible, it will be less affected by frozen water.
Stagnant water will freeze when temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius. Often this occurs for installations that are above the ground. For underground piping, the water starts to freeze at around -6 degrees Celsius.
Fortunately, PEX expands when it freezes due to its high flexibility nature. Essentially, this attribute helps the piping system to accommodate the extra volume, thereby preventing damage. It is why PEX is used in cold regions at most times of the year.
Can PEX Be Used For Heating
PEX tubing is a good alternative for aluminum and copper baseboard heating. Its ability to withstand high temperatures makes it a good choice for plumbing works.
It is the reason PEX is used in ice melting systems, floor heating, and baseboard heating. PEX has many heating applications, which are only limited by the prevailing conditions.
PEX can be used in installations for many heating appliances. However, it should not be connected directly or close to the heating element. PEX expands when heated, and if you expose it to high temperatures, it might lose its strength and damage the system.
For water heater connections, ensure an 18 inches distance allowance between the heating element and the PEX tubing. The distance will be sufficient for the safety of the users and the system. In this case, metal connections that can withstand high temperatures should be used.
Most heating applications in our homestead convey water heated to about 50 degrees Celsius. In such applications, PEX can safely and conveniently transport water from one point to another. It is a cheaper alternative for CPVC, copper, and aluminum piping systems.
Can Blue PEX Be Used For Hot Water
PEX comes with three color codes; that is red, blue, and white. The manufacturers color them before distributing them to be used in plumbing applications. It is a standard application that helps the user when fitting various systems.
Blue PEX may be an indicator that the pipe carries cold water. Hot water might be transported within a red tube. At the same time, white may be used in cold or hot water applications. The colors may be helpful, especially at an industrial level with many applications and users.
However, for DIY projects, you can use any PEX pipe, regardless of color. No strict regulation restricts the use of PEX piping according to its color. However, if your system contains both hot and cold water, it will be helpful if you consider the color standards. It may help you differentiate the hot or cold water pipe easily.
Therefore, you can use blue PEX for your hot water application. The material used to make the red, blue, or white PEX is the same. The temperature ratings are the same for all the pipes, regardless of color. Also, conforming to the color standards in your plumbing DIY applications is not mandatory.
To understand the uses of different types of PEX tubes, watch the video below:
Final Thoughts
Copper and aluminum fittings are expensive to purchase. Due to their rigidity, it becomes challenging to implement sometimes, especially in closed spaces and behind cabinets. PEX offers a cheap alternative in such cases.
PEX can withstand high temperatures, which is why it is used for baseboard heating piping. Also, it does not corrode easily and can withstand freezing temperatures. Due to its flexibility, it can expand and shrink depending on the predisposing conditions.
PEX tubes are flexible and have the strength required in plumbing applications. They can withstand high temperatures of up to 93 degrees Celsius, thus making them useful for baseboard heating systems.
