domestic coil

question for all uses out there, do you think that if i rolled 1/2 pex up like a efm 520 coil or any kind, do u think it would work inside the boiler as a domestic coil? i would connect it to the efm 520 mounting plate, and this would take away my hard water problems at least in the domestic coil, meaning never replacing it.

I'm only guessing (having never worked with PEX) but I would think that on more occasions than you would imagine the internal water temperature of the boiler would exceed the rated temperature limit of PEX. Also, PEX is probably not anywhere near as efficient at heat transfer as copper. For a radiant floor where things happen slowly over time and the water circulates through and around again and again this doesn't matter much, but when 50 degree water is traversing one time only through a mere few feet of coil and you want it to be 130 degrees on the other end it matters a lot.

Others with far more knowledge and experience with PEX will assist here.

hello larry im going to give it ago and see what happens, the worse it can do is work i might throw a cupple more raps in for more coveage i will def. let uses know if it works or fails. im goin to try this tomarrow

Pex tube has both a temp and pressure rating printed on it and that will be your indicator of pending failure. House water pressure is much higher than boiler pressure. 50-60 lbs. @ 210*F+ might be a little too much for the PEX.
When it ruptures...then your boiler goes up to house pressure.

As stated by *lsayer*, PEX is not even close to copper as for heat conduction, besides, the copper coils have additional fining it's entire length to improve is abilities to conduct. Smooth PEX is a far cry, even if adding a couple extra wraps.

Before it ruptures you will have mediocre results at best.

i do agree with uses but i just gotta try it, its just to tempting to see if it actully works.

my coil has a hole in it already so thats y im trying it

I'm not a plumbing expert, but when the boiler goes up to house pressure, doesn't that mean it's likely to blow the PRV, dumping loads of cold water into the boiler and boiler water into the surrounding area?

Mike

Ryan, I don't think you will be impressed with the performance of a Pex coil. A better solution is a new coil, or solder the old one if it is only pinholed in one spot. If your water plugs the coil, you probably need a water softener. I know none of these suggestions are cheap, but the right way rarely is.

uses guys are right im going to try to fix it

If you don't have the surface area of the copper for proper heat transfer, you can forget about 5 gpm of hot water. The copper tubing is crimped to form the ribbed area and I don't know the true compression, but if you have 10 feet of crimped copper, it probably started out as a 20 tube. Just guessing.