PEX to PB Fittings

Polybutylene piping was common in the United States for a brief period starting in the 1970’s. The grey plastic tubing is still present in some installations from that time. In the event that polybutylene must be connected to PEX, fittings are available in limited sizes. SharkBite U4008LF and U4016LF fittings transition from PB to a traditional SharkBite fitting.

Keep in mind the standard PEX fittings, crimping tools, and rings do not work with polybutylene piping. For a larger selection of PEX fittings for plumbing visit SupplyHouse.com.

“The Future of Hot Water”

The A.O. Smith NEXT Hybrid High Efficiency Gas Water Heater aims to combine the best features of standard water heaters with those of tankless units. Conventional units have the advantage of a storage tank, but can run low on hot water during periods of extended usage. Tankless water heaters can produce hot water indefinitely, but their production capability can be exceeded when many showers or appliances run at the same time.

The 100,000 BTU NEXT Hybrid is essentially a tankless water heater with a 25-gallon storage tank, giving it an impressive 189 gallon first-hour delivery rating. It uses flue gas from its tankless unit to heat the extra storage water. This unit, billed as “the future of hot water,” features a display that allows users to turn the unit off, initiate energy savings or “boost” modes, and adjust the temperature setting. Visit SupplyHouse.com for more A.O. Smith products.

Linear Expansion of PEX Tubing

Everyone knows that materials expand when they are heated and contract when they get cold. Pipe runs of all standard piping materials, including copper, grow longer when the temperature of the water inside them rises. PEX expands about 10 times as much as copper, which can create relatively large differences in expansion over long runs.

To calculate the linear expansion of PEX tubing, keep in mind that PEX expands 1.1” per 10°F rise per 100 feet of PEX. For example, a 100 foot run of PEX will lengthen by 4.4” if the water temperature increases from 65°F to 105°F. This can cause problems at the point where PEX penetrates a concrete slab. Linear expansion may force PEX to rub against the concrete, and protecting the PEX with a sleeve in this area prevents wear on the tubing. PEX-AL-PEX expands less than standard PEX, and only slightly more than copper.

Fantech Dryer Lint Trap

Fantech’s Dryer Booster Fans reduce your dryer’s cycling time and can save you money on your energy bills. The fans accelerate the venting of warm, moist air on venting runs between 15 and 130 feet.

In many instances, it’s a good idea to use a lint trap in conjunction with a booster fan. Fantech’s DBLT4W lint trap fits 4” duct and contains a removable, cleanable filter. The trap is recommended when the ducting between the dryer and the booster fan runs less than 15 feet. Why? Because when you position the fan this close to the dryer, it may pull lint from the dryer. At greater distances, lint stays in the dryer and you do not need a trap. For information on Fantech products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

A Simple, “Easy to see” Thermostat

Honeywell’s thermostats have continually become more advanced since the classic T87 “Round” was introduced in 1953. Today, programmable thermostats with remote controls and high-definition touchscreens can control multiple devices wirelessly while displaying humidity levels and outdoor temperatures.

For those who want something simpler, Honeywell still offers more basic models. Their T87N1026 “Easy to see” mechanical thermostat is just one example. Perfect for users with poor vision, the unit features large numbers and clicks at every 2 degree change made to its set-point. See all of Honeywell’s thermostats, from the most basic to the most technologically advanced, on SupplyHouse.com.

Sizing Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters only produce hot water when you need it, and the supply will never run out – provided that you do not exceed the unit’s GPM capacity. There is a limit to the amount of hot water every tankless unit can produce in one minute. This gallons per minute (GPM) rating will be quite small for units designed to supply only a sink or two, but larger for whole-house heaters. The GPM rating fluctuates based on the “temperature rise” the unit needs to achieve. If the incoming water temperature is 50°F and the shower water must be 110°F, you have a 60°F temperature rise. The specification sheets for tankless heaters display a chart with the maximum flow rates across the spectrum of temperature rises.

At lower temperature rises, tankless water heaters can make more hot water. This means that it is easier to get more hot water during the summer or in warmer climates. Even in the coldest areas of the continental United States, incoming water temperatures do not fall much below 40°F. In warmer southern climates, average ground water temperatures hover close to 70°F. Keep this in mind as you browse the selection of tankless water heaters on SupplyHouse.com.

Connect PEX to Copper Fittings

As PEX tubing continues to become more commonplace in the plumbing and heating industries, it is often necessary to connect PEX to existing copper tubing. Since PEX and copper have the same outside diameters, SharkBite fittings make the task easy. Crimp/Clamp and ProPEX fittings can be soldered over copper pipes.

Some installations, however, may require a PEX connection directly to a copper fitting. Adapters that make this possible are also available for Crimp/Clamp and ProPEX PEX connections. They, too, must be soldered to the copper, but copper fitting adapters are placed inside the copper fitting, rather than over the copper pipe. On the copper side, fitting adapters have the same outside diameter as a copper pipe.

Maintaining your Mini-Split

Ductless mini-split air conditioners continue to grow in popularity in the United States. Their quiet, efficient operation and zoning capabilities make mini-splits an attractive option for home cooling. Like all air conditioning systems, mini-splits remove warm, humid air from the living space. They contain filters to absorb dust from this air and prevent the formation of mold and bacteria.

The cleaning of these filters is the primary routine maintenance that mini-split units require. Each unit's manual contains specific instructions, but in general the filters should be cleaned about once a month during peak summer usage. Manufacturers usually recommend vacuuming the dust from the filters and, if necessary, hand-washing them with mild detergent. Go to SupplyHouse.com for mini-split products from Panasonic and LG.

Outdoor Reset Controls

Boilers that are connected to an outdoor reset control operate more efficiently. An outdoor reset lowers the boiler’s water temperature as the outdoor temperature rises, and usually features warm-weather-shutdown capability. The increase in efficiency is a result of the lower operating temperature. Especially useful during the "shoulder months" of the spring and fall, it leads to less heat loss and fewer boiler cycles. Room temperatures fluctuate less.

The analogy of city vs. highway driving is often cited in association with outdoor resets. The starting and stopping of city driving (along with its lower gas efficiency) compares to a boiler without an outdoor reset. A boiler with an outdoor reset, meanwhile, operates at a constant temperature with less starting and stopping. It runs more efficiently, like a car on the highway.

Prestige Outdoor Sensor

The Wireless Outdoor Sensor is a key piece of Honeywell’s Prestige Comfort Systems. The sensor connects wirelessly to Prestige thermostats using Honeywell’s RedLINK technology. Two AA lithium batteries, which have a 4-5 year life, power it. The thermostat displays a 2-month low-battery warning when the sensor's batteries start to run low. The sensor automatically re-connects to the RedLINK network when new batteries are installed. It measures outdoor temperature and humidity, even allowing the Portable Comfort Control remote to display the current outdoor temperature.

A mounting bracket is included with the sensor. The unit should be placed away from direct sunlight and at least 6 inches below overhangs for the most accurate readings. The sensor simply acts as a transmitter. An unlimited number of thermostats within its range can pick up its signal. For more information on Prestige Comfort Systems, visit SupplyHouse.com.

PEX-AL-PEX Chamfering Tool

PEX-AL-PEX tubing contains a layer of aluminum embedded in the PEX. The aluminum serves as an oxygen barrier and allows the PEX to remain straighter. It also makes the tubing slightly thicker, so that standard crimp, clamp, or SharkBite fittings are not compatible. Compression or press fittings must be used with PEX-AL-PEX.

To prepare PEX-AL-PEX tubing for a fitting, a chamfering tool should be used. The tool reams the inside of the tubing, cleaning it and creating a beveled edge so that the fitting’s o-ring can set properly. For more information on PEX-AL-PEX products, visit SupplyHouse.com.

Fan-Mounting Options

There are many possibilities for mounting bathroom ventilation fans. To replace an older unit the simplest solution may be a retrofit kit, available for most Broan and NuTone models. These kits include a new motor and grille, allowing users to improve operation while keeping their present ducting.

For new installations, ceiling fans generally go between ceiling joists. They are connected directly to venting ductwork. Inline fans can be mounted in an attic, and have the ability connect to grille housings in more than one bathroom. Wall-mount fans present another option. With the fan on an exterior wall, they connect to the grille housing located above the bathroom. SupplyHouse.com stocks bath fans from Fantech, Panasonic, and Broan-NuTone.

Your Body Gives off Heat

When sizing air conditioning equipment, square footage is not the only relevant factor. Climate, insulation quality, and room functions (i.e. kitchens with heat-producing appliances) must also be taken into account. Another important consideration may not seem as obvious: number of occupants. The body of an average adult gives off between 400 and 500 BTUs of heat per hour, a figure that increases during periods of exercise or strenuous activity. This helps during heating season, but can make it more difficult to cool down a crowded room on a hot day. Visit SupplyHouse.com for our full selection of air conditioning and mini-split products.

Why an Oxygen Barrier is Necessary

PEX tubing with an oxygen barrier should be installed in any closed-loop system. New water is not routinely introduced to closed systems. The same water cycles through them continuously.

Since water contains oxygen, people often ask us why the barrier is needed. The answer starts with oxygen itself. Oxygen corrodes ferrous metals. Any system components made of iron or steel (such as a cast iron circulator pump) will rust over time if oxygen is in the system. The oxygen initially present in the water chemically reacts with ferrous equipment to form iron oxide. Once this takes place, all corrosion stops. This type of mixture, which no longer contains oxygen, is ideal for closed systems.

PEX without an oxygen barrier actually allows oxygen from the air to permeate it. This happens even if the tubing is buried in concrete. Standard pumps will rust when oxygen is present in the water. Bronze or stainless steel pumps are necessary when this is the case.