Not necessarily looking for a one type does it all solution, as I have tools and skills to do any and all methods. I have what it takes for soldering copper, crimping pex, and cutting & threading pipe up to 2".
I am doing the air to h2o H/X in FA plenum arrangement as well as a indirect DHW heater.
The boiler will be in a remote building for ease of coal handling/storage.
This building is some 80' linear pipe distance away which includes a middle portion of it run 22' through the outdoor environment inside a "super" insulated pipe chase I would build. I am planning to include a means to isolate and drain the system portions that would have freeze dangers if that situation would ever come. And I will mention, that I have a whole house electric generator and auto transfer switch system on stand-by.
I see alot of total copper systems and wondered if that was done due, in large part, to the unavailability of threading screw pipe, nearly no *wrenching*, less prone to later leaks and whatever.
But, I see really old installs that used nearly all black screw pipe, perhaps it was the way of those times.
BTW...I have and did read Steigenthaler's book...great info in there.
My thoughts:
Plan A. Black pipe for the long haul...from boiler back to near primary loop...transition over to copper for the remaining.
Plan B. Pex-Al-Pex for the long haul...from boiler back to near primary loop...transition over to copper for the remaining.
Plan C. I'm open for suggestions.
I would welcome your thoughts and input on how best to assemble this and do it "the last way first".
