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[Crow]

Hey Slim, what are you using or recommend?

[Scott7m]

What's the benefit of pex al pex in a non pressurized system? 

As far as pex goes, not seen any pex crack or fail, even the cheapest of pex.

[slimjim]

Rigidity, I like the look of pex that holds it's shape, not the crap that expands 20% when it gets hit with hot water and droops between the hangers making  snapping noises as it moves in the hangers, my wife woke me up at 4:30 this morning because she heard a garden hose dripping outside the house that I had left on last night, can you imagine her listening to snapping noises every time a zone calls for heat, I would get no sleep at all. I personnaly use a product sold out of my main supply house called Fosta-Pex, it is rigid, cream colored, looks like a real pipe. I like my sleep and a neat looking job, it's worth the extra money to do the job the right way the first time.

[Scott7m]

Well, I can't say that I've ever had anyone mention any snapping or popping of pex??   

Never had any drooping issues either if it was clipped up properly, now under a home with no basement often there is nothing to attach to but in basements never a problem

All of this is all fine and dandy as long as you have unlimited funds, I think this is where different markets vary.  You as well as I often deal with folks who are looking at this whole owb installation as a project and they've budgeted for it or simply have plenty of money to do it to the finest detail.  However in my area it's not like that at all, folks come here and want something that will work and its not because they "want it" its because there trying to decide on whether to pay the electric bill or buy food for there family.  It's that way among a lot of members here I've spoken to as well, maybe not deciding between heat or food but still under serious financial stress due to heating.

With that being said, yea there are superior products out there to regular pex, yes there is different quality of line on the market in regards to underground, but many folks simply can not afford it and would never buy it if they could.  There are products out there for them, I've installed miles of insulated 3-5 wrap pex packages and haven't had a call yet saying that one has failed, going back several years now.  I believe that ditch preparation is as important as the line itself and taking the time to make sure it's installed correctly. 

There is just more ways to skin a cat I guess ya could say, we all have customers who want every detail so so and the best products available, but everyone is def not like that, and it's far less common in my area.  I feel through the brand you carry alone tends towards a different customer base, and the area your in probably takes it further that way as well.  It's just the majority of folks i deal with are just the guy next door looking for a bit of financial independence in tough times.  Varying products and markets can make huge differences.

But yea pex al pex is more rigid, I like it too but many dealers push it telling them its better for there stove simply because they don't know any difference, just came from that empyre install the other day where a dealer sold him pex al pex for the o2 barrier, I didn't wanna ruin his day by telling him it didn't matter in an open system but ahh well lol

 

[slimjim]

I definatly agree on different products for different areas, I did a job in Columbia Kentucky last summer and could not find lots of products that I use up here on a regular basis, I couldn't even find Grundfos circs at any supply houses or even a tubing cutter to cut inch and one half copper to make my sidearm heater from. I think being that the weather up here is a bit more unforgiving, people are a bit more pro active in the quality of the products we use, the thing that gets me though is that the same people who want to cheap out on thier heating system are the same people that just spent 10,000 dollars each on a new snow sled and boat that rarely gets used, priorities are a bit mixed up in my mind!

[CountryBoyJohn]

I can definitely attest to what Scott is talking about.  I am in a situation where I can't afford the traditional heating system my house has currently.  I was lied to when I asked about the utility history and it nearly wiped us out last winter.  Therefore, since last winter wiped us out, and I'm pinching every penny, they I already don't have, to eek out a system that will keep us warm this winter.  I'm sacrificing some things now, to save in the long run.  I'm putting my stove in blocks and not a slab for this reason.  I'm leaving out ball valves in places to cut costs.  It's taking everything I have to get the system in enough to actually heat the house.  I don't have the luxury of putting in a cadillac system.  I'm getting it in now and upgrade things later as I find the funds.

[slimjim]

I feel for you man, you are heading in the right direction by putting in a boiler instead of buying a new boat or Harley, do the best you can for now but try to think it out so you don't waste money replacing crap later on.