What is the diffenence between Pex with Anti-UV, Pex with EVOH and insulated Pex?

2024-05-30
Posted by Vpexco

Table of Contents

In Pex piping, we have Pex with anti-UV, Pex with EVOH, and insulated Pex. Do you know what’s difference? Firstly, let’s have a brief introduce for these pex tubo.

anti-uv pex

PEX with Anti-UV

Essentially, this type of PEX is treated with an anti-UV layer that helps protect the pipe material from ultraviolet radiation, especially from the sun. This layer extends the lifespan of the pipe if it's used outdoors, or in places where the pipe is exposed to sunlight. However, even with an anti-UV layer, prolonged exposure to sunlight is generally not recommended for PEX pipes.

pex with oxygen barrier

PEX with EVOH

PEX with EVOH has an additional layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) that acts as an oxygen barrier. The EVOH barrier helps prevent oxygen and other gases from permeating into the water, which can help prevent corrosion in metal components of a plumbing or heating system. This is particularly beneficial in closed-loop heating systems.

comparison for pex a pex b and pex c pipe

Why pex pipe with evoh can extend the service life of pipelines?

PEX pipe with EVOH, or Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol, provides a significant benefit in terms of extending the lifespan of pipelines due to one key feature: its superior oxygen barrier qualities.

Here's why it makes a difference:

Prevents Oxygen Diffusion: EVOH serves as a barrier to oxygen, which prevents it from seeping into the water through the pipes. Oxygen in water can lead to corrosion and rust in metal parts of a plumbing or heating system. By preventing this, EVOH helps to maintain the system's integrity for a longer period.

Prevents Corrosion: As stated earlier, the oxygen barrier character of EVOH helps to protect the metal components in the system from corroding. Rust and corrosion can be detrimental to plumbing systems and cause them to fail prematurely.

Maintains System Efficiency: Over time, an unchecked buildup of corrosion can reduce the system's efficiency by clogging pipes or damaging key components. EVOH's oxygen barrier properties ensure that the efficiency of the system is maintained over time, thereby extending its functional lifespan.

Therefore, using PEX pipes with EVOH can contribute to a longer service life for the entire system, reducing maintenance costs and potentially expensive repairs down the line.

pex with insulation pipe

Insulated PEX

Insulated PEX, as the name implies, adds an extra layer of insulation around the PEX tubing. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the PEX is being used for hot water transport or in-floor radiant heating, as it minimizes heat loss during transport. It's also beneficial if the pipe runs through an area that can get particularly cold, as it can help prevent the pipe from freezing. The insulating layer is typically encased inside a larger pipe or casing for additional protection.

What are the benefits of using insulated PEX in hot water transport or in-floor radiant heating?

Using insulated PEX tubing for hot water transport or in-floor radiant heating systems offers a multitude of benefits. Here are a few:

Energy Efficiency: The insulation around the PEX tubing significantly reduces heat loss during the transport of hot water, thus making the system more energy-efficient. This can result in substantial energy savings over time.

Prevent Freezing: In colder climates, insulation helps maintain the temperature of the water in the tubing, preventing it from dropping below freezing and causing the pipes to freeze and possibly burst.

Uniform Heat Distribution: In the case of in-floor radiant heating systems, insulated PEX pipes ensure that the heat is uniformly distributed across the entire floor, providing consistent and comfortable heating.

Noise Reduction: Insulated PEX can also help reduce the noise from water hammer and other hydraulic phenomena.

Protects the Pipe: The insulation often comes with an outer protective cover which can increase the lifespan of the piping system by protecting it from environmental damage like the weather, UV light, or pests.

Installation: Compared to insulating after installation, preinsulated PEX helps simplify the installation process and saves labor time. This is especially important in large-scale installations such as district heating or snow melting.

So, whether you're installing a new hot water or in-floor radiant heating system or retrofitting an existing one, insulated PEX can be a worthwhile option to consider for its long-term benefits.