Is PEX Pipe OK for Hot Water?
Assessing the Heat Resistance and Performance of Crosslinked Polyethylene Plumbing
PEX has become widely used for residential and commercial plumbing systems. But is the PEX pipe okay for handling hot potable water delivery? This article examines PEX’s capabilities and limitations for hot water line applications.IFAN factory with 30+ years of manufacturing experience supports color/size customization and free samples. Welcome to consult for catalog and free samples. This is our Facebook Website: www.facebook.com.
Hot Water Service Temperatures
Typical residential water heaters produce hot water in the 120°F to 140°F range. Flowing through pipes, this drops to 110°F to 130°F by the time it reaches faucets and appliances.
Commercial applications see higher hot water temperatures between 140°F to 180°F in some cases. Hospital sterilization, commercial kitchens, and industrial processes may require supplies near 200°F.
Hot water plumbing must withstand peak service temperatures over long durations without deterioration or deformation.
PEX Temperature Resistance and Ratings
PEX tubing is engineered using crosslinking to withstand hot water exposure. Three main methods produce PEX with different heat ratings:
- PEX-a made via Engel method peroxide crosslinking is typically rated for 200°F continuous use at 100 PSI pressure.
- PEX-b using the silane method is rated for 180°F at 100 PSI, meeting codes for plumbing service.
- Electron beam PEX-c achieves the highest rating around 230°F at 80 PSI pressure.
These ratings exceed typical residential and commercial hot water needs. Proper manufacturing and installation are necessary to achieve ratings.
PEX Benefits for Hot Water Plumbing
PEX demonstrates several beneficial properties for handling hot water delivery:
- Withstands years of hot chlorinated water contact without leaching or oxidizing.
- Maintains strength and piping integrity through repeated hot/cold cycles.
- Hot water flow does not accelerate plasticizer loss or tubing degradation.
- Smoother water flow improves thermal efficiency over scaled metal pipes.
- Flexibility accommodates thermal expansion stresses.
Provided temperature limits are respected, PEX provides reliable service life measured in decades for hot water plumbing.
Key Applications for Hot Water PEX
Common uses where PEX performs well include:
- General residential and commercial hot water supply plumbing.
- Recirculation loops for maintaining ready hot water remotely.
- Underfloor and within-wall radiant heating water distribution.
- Solar thermal hot water transport from collectors to storage.
- Hot tub and pool plumbing needs above ground.
- Drainage of high-temperature appliance and equipment discharge.
PEX enables simplified plumbing layouts and installation for these applications.
Considerations for Very High-Temperature Needs
For continuous exposure beyond 180°F, PEX may not suffice without careful material selection:
- Temperatures approaching 200°F mandate the use of PEX-a or PEX-c formulations.
- Steam lines usually require rigid metal pipes but insulated PEX can sometimes be applied.
- Pure PEX can handle intermittent exposure above 200°F if not under pressure, such as drain lines.
- Multi-layer PEX with an oxygen barrier may be required for hydronic heating pipes above 180°F.
Both piping size and duration of exposure require review when approaching the upper limits of PEX material specifications.
Weighing PEX Capabilities for Hot Water Systems
For typical residential and commercial hot water delivery below 180°F, PEX has proven itself a highly capable piping material from supply plumbing to radiant floor heat manifolds. Carefully selecting appropriate PEX formulations enables handling higher heat applications as well. When used within ratings, PEX demonstrates excellent longevity for handling flowing hot water.
IFAN
IFAN factory started in 1993. And IFAN has a workshop of 120000 square meters with 610 staff. IFAN can design and produce all plumbing pipe and fitting including PPR, PVC, CPVC PPSU HDPE PEXA PEXB PERT pipe and fitting, brass fitting, brass ball valve, heating system, gas system, sanitary faucets, and hose, In the past 30 years, IFAN has never forgotten his mission-To protect health and safety. And IFAN factory uses the best materials to produce high-quality pipe and fittings with an automatic production line and high-tech quality control machines.
