Another thread about pex.

At some point I'm going to replace all the supply piping to my radiators with pex. I currently have an old gravity system and want to reduce my water volume and increase headroom in my basement. I also need to add heat to my basement. It's 55 down there now and that is too cold. I'm not sure when I will shoe horn these projects into my long list of other projects, but I am thinking about it.

Anyway, would there be much of an advantage of AL pex over regular oxygen barrier pex? To my knowledge, the AL pex will hold its shape better. But I'm not sure I will need that. I can always add more pipe straps up.

 

You are right, it does not turn into what looks like rolling waves or a slithering snake. Some use pex and slides it into long lengths of PVC.
Doing this to make more head room is Ok but do not do it for a savings as you will be surprised that you may not save much money in fuel. Depending what type of boiler you have and boiler sizing you may want to oversize the replacement pipe.

 

I have the ES2. I'm not doing it for savings. It would help the boiler come up to temperature faster though. I mainly want to do it for headroom. I also want to add a new zone in my basement.

So if I don't use AL pex, it will get all wavy on the ceiling?

 

Probably. .......................................

 

Yes it will become more wavy.
do you really want the boiler to cycle less? What is the run time in minutes now? Check your control to see the cycles and hours. Here is the formula to determine the average run time.
hours x 60 / cycles
If the change causes the boiler to short cycle your efficiency will drop and maintenance issues will increase. You may also notice less comfort as you may feel the temperature changes more. What size is the boiler and the sq footage of the home.
For some very general hydronic reports see the us boiler report
http://www.usboiler.net/?s=usboiler+report
This was kinda discussed in a past issue.

 

The zone with the gravity system never gets to the set point. Whatever. I need the headroom anyway.

 

Is that zone on it's own thermostat.

 

Gotta love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ................................

 

Yes .