HVAC piping delivers hot water, cooled water, refrigerant, condensate, steam, and gas to and from your HVAC components. Its effectiveness is largely influenced by the materials used to make it. So what materials are ideal for HVAC pipes? Read on to learn more.
Copper Piping
Copper pipes are suitable for a wide range of HVAC applications, including transporting:
- hot water
- chilled water
- condenser water
- condensate drainage
- refrigerant
- compressed air
These pipes are typically joined with lead-free solder, brazing, or pressure seals.
Steel Piping
Steel is commonly used to make large pipes, which allow for a range of temperature and pressure. Schedule 40 and 80 steel pipes are acceptable for a number of HVAC applications. Schedule refers to the thickness of the piping wall. The thicker the piping wall, the bigger the schedule number.
Schedule 40 black steel piping is used for HVAC services involving:
- process cooling
- hot water
- chilled water
- condensate drainage
- condenser water
- underground condensate return
- underground heating hot water and chilled water
Both schedule 40 and 80 black steel pipes, as well as schedule 40 galvanized steel pipes, can be used to transport:
- steam
- fuel oil
- pumped condensate and condensate return
They're typically joined by wrought-steel or malleable-iron fittings as well as malleable-iron unions.
Plastic Piping
Plastic piping is widely used in vent piping systems, especially in underground applications. That's because some soils have a corrosive nature, but both CPVC and PVC plastic piping offer corrosive resistance. Metallic piping used in underground applications is usually covered by a protective PVC plastic jacketing.
Plastic piping systems are usually joined by solvent cements and socket-type fittings.
HVAC pipes make all the other components of your HVAC system work together seamlessly to provide comfort within your home. If you have any questions on HVAC piping or any other piece of equipment, please contact the HVAC experts at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide reliable HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services to homeowners in the Fort Wayne area.