Thermal Transfer Rate Copper v. PEX v. Cast Iron

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http://www.pmengineer.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2732,96142,00.html

Has a table showing the conductivity and temperatures needed to drive through copper, pex and rubber. I suspect cast iron is a bit lower than copper.

I suspect the article was meant to defend ribber :) but it does a good job showing the large differences between conductors and insulators.

Keep in mind copper and steel in concrete CAN add other challanges, regarding corrosion, etc.

Think if I were to do a copper radiant slab I would consider the Envirotube coated copper. Yeah, you would take a little hit on the coating R-value, but not as much as the pex wall r value.

Remember what you embed in concrete stays in concrete :)

hot rod

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Bruce M.

Has Anyone Done The Math?

Just wondering how much less efficient PEX is when used for radiant heating compared to old school installs of copper and steel.