Using Radiant Alumipex for Solar Pool Heater

[fst2011]

Hello everyone,
First time here, found lots of info but have question about using this type of piping. I've noticed most people use either black hose or irrigation pipe. I have extra black radiant heat hose and was thinking it would be much better. Its black hose shell with a thin aluminum shielding then thick white pipe inside. It says rated for 200F - 100psi and is 1/2 thick. Brand name caked Weil-Mclain Alumipex for Radiant 1/2nom 1216 PEX-AL-PEX.

Can someone please let me know if this would work. Thanks.

Brian

I couldn't figure out how to post a pic of the roll I have, sorry guys.

[Mike90250]

The PEX in the part name implies that it is PEX tube which is NOT usually UV resistant, and in fact, even a weeks worth of solar exposure will be damaging to the tube.

[SWFLA]

You would be crazy to put that garbage in your walls let alone out in the sun.

[Mike90250]

You would be crazy to put that garbage in your walls let alone out in the sun.

Why would you call dual wall PEX garbage ? The aluminum layer is likely for oxygen blocking for a closed circuit system .

[fst2011]

Thanks everyone for the info. I have a few questions. As for the pex part in the name, meaning it would be bad for the UV...what exactly or possibly do you think would happen to the tubing if used for this idea? As for being garbage, why would it be garbage? I have it installed as radiant heat for my house and it has been working great for over 15 years.

So if everyone agrees not to use this tubing, which to me seems like it would be better(cause the insulation of aluminum) then that reg irrigation tubing (by no means do I claim to know better). Then should I make the solar pool heater box out of a few feet of copper pipe or is the reg irrigation tubing really that much better then everything else.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your advice.

[J.P.M.]

Thanks everyone for the info. I have a few questions. As for the pex part in the name, meaning it would be bad for the UV...what exactly or possibly do you think would happen to the tubing if used for this idea? As for being garbage, why would it be garbage? I have it installed as radiant heat for my house and it has been working great for over 15 years.

So if everyone agrees not to use this tubing, which to me seems like it would be better(cause the insulation of aluminum) then that reg irrigation tubing (by no means do I claim to know better). Then should I make the solar pool heater box out of a few feet of copper pipe or is the reg irrigation tubing really that much better then everything else.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to share your advice.

Not a plug, but see Fafco pool heaters. Better performance. Less hassle. More durability. Give it a snoop. You can't make as good as you can buy. Been there, done that.

[SWFLA]

Fafco is the "gold standard"

[SWFLA]

Why would you call dual wall PEX garbage ? The aluminum layer is likely for oxygen blocking for a closed circuit system .

People had great attitudes about polybutylene tubing. I believe there was almost a 1 billion dollar Superfund for that mess.

buried in concrete and running propylene glycol is okay with me at least when that fails you can switch to baseboard hydronic.

the aluminum is indeed used keep oxygen out. It corrodes really nice with the metal fittings. And then leaks. The Metallurgy of said fittings needs to be closely monitored. There was also a small fund set up for those failures as well.

I bet you'd have a hard time finding a plumber that would put any flexible plastic in his own domicile. Excluding braided stainless over Teflon.

[fst2011]

Wow... Thanks again everyone for their advice. Truly appreciated. So to be clear, ditch the radiant heat tubing and just go with the copper? I know you can use irrigation pipe but if they were both same price... which would you choose?

Thanks

[Mike90250]

irrigation pipe is not rated for pressure at warm temps, but you are only running a couple PSI right, just enough to get it to circulate ? poly pipe is a lot cheaper than copper, but the thermal transfer in the plastic is not great.

[J.P.M.]

Wow... Thanks again everyone for their advice. Truly appreciated. So to be clear, ditch the radiant heat tubing and just go with the copper? I know you can use irrigation pipe but if they were both same price... which would you choose?

Thanks

You'll go broke doing a copper system that's large enough to provide adequate heat.

One more time: If you want a good method to supply heat to a pool using solar energy, get solar collectors made for pool heating applications. Better, more efficient, less maint., better looking.

Before you do that however, get a pool cover and use it. If/when you do, you will find any remaining heat needs can be met with a smaller, less expensive solar pool heater. It's by far the least expensive way to reduce heat loss, thereby reducing the heat load.