Understand the Differences: Copper vs. FlowGuard Gold® CPVC

Six decades ago, metallic piping dominated the plumbing market. Few viable alternatives existed to copper and galvanized pipe, and metal was practically the only material anyone had ever considered using to deliver water in the United States. This all changed in the 1950s and 1960s when high-performance plastic piping technology advanced dramatically. Plumbing professionals began to realize that non-metallic materials, such as CPVC, delivered water just as well as copper piping, but without several of the drawbacks inherent to metallic piping. Over time, non-metallic piping technology has continued to evolve, resulting in a U.S. plumbing market today that is dominated by desirable non-metallic plumbing systems.

Why CPVC?

CPVC pipe and fittings are now a preferred choice for use in the U.S. plumbing market, and FlowGuard Gold® piping is the most recognized brand of CPVC piping for plumbing systems. Copper piping is still used for residential water system piping today, but in a greatly diminished role compared to its one-time dominance. There are a number of reasons for this continuous shift away from metallic piping and toward CPVC technology, such as a trusted FlowGuard Gold piping system:

Material price: In the early days of CPVC development, copper piping was not only more familiar to plumbing contractors, it was cheaper. This has not been the case for quite some time, however, with copper prices having climbed steeply in the last decade. Conversely, the material costs for FlowGuard Gold (and Corzan® CPVC for larger diameter piping) are much lower, more stable and are not subject to the wild pricing fluctuations of copper.

Theft value: Because of its high material cost, copper also has a high theft value. Cases are well-documented across the country of perpetrators going to great lengths to steal copper from buildings of all sizes, sometimes resulting in tens of thousands of lost dollars for contractors and end users. FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings, alternatively, has almost zero theft value, and is almost never stolen.

Ease of installation: Cost savings do not end after choosing to purchase FlowGuard Gold and Corzan piping systems over copper. Thanks to a proven joining system that allows for quick assembly, FlowGuard Gold and Corzan fittings can be joined to pipe without requiring any of the dangerous soldering required for copper systems. A wide array of transition fittings are available to conveniently transition from the larger-diameter Corzan pipe to FlowGuard Gold CPVC pipe or metal. Experienced FlowGuard Gold system installers can enjoy benefits of fast installations, and gain significant labor savings by choosing FlowGuard Gold CPVC over copper.

Corrosion resistance: Whereas FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings are immune to corrosion, pitting and scaling regardless of inherent water quality, soil conditions or treatment procedures in an area, copper pipe is not. Copper reacts adversely to continuous water contact, especially when exposed to aggressive water that carries certain chemicals or particulate matter, and functionality can be degraded quickly. This corrosion can lead to leaks or total system failure: both of which can have expensive consequences.

Water quality: Unlike FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings, copper can leach into drinking water supplies from corroding pipes, and water quality suffers. Copper presence in drinking water can have a harmful effect on a drinker’s level of wellness—recent studies have pointed to copper presence in drinking water as a likely contributor to health problems such as Alzheimer’s Disease. Copper piping is also more inviting to the formation of biofilms that harbor microorganisms, such as E. coli, than CPVC. One study in the Netherlands found that copper had biofilm concentration levels three times higher than that of CPVC. Multiple international studies have documented that CPVC outperforms other materials in the prevention of biofilm formation.

Noise: There has been a steady shift toward maintaining “peace and quiet” over the years as people invest in soundproofing, pass noise ordinances and engineer appliances to run more quietly. As plumbing is no exception to this trend, many end users have embraced FlowGuard Gold systems as a more-hushed plumbing material—four times quieter than copper piping, according to testing conducted at NSF International. FlowGuard Gold piping systems are also more resistant to “water hammer” caused by shockwaves generated by quick velocity changes within water piping which are not only noisy, but can degrade system integrity.

Energy efficiency: The natural insulating properties of FlowGuard Gold piping not only help to resist condensation and the subsequent problems excess moisture can cause, but minimize heat loss as well. This quality means that water stays hot longer in CPVC piping than in copper. These insulating qualities mean less water heating costs for end users as well as a much more environmentally friendly use of energy. Studies have also shown that the production of FlowGuard Gold thermoplastic material requires significantly less energy than copper pipe, and thus ultimately contributes less to emissions that may harm the environment.

Superior hydraulics: FlowGuard Gold piping does not support scaling, unlike copper piping. As a result, the functional diameter of the inside of FlowGuard Gold piping is never diminished, whereas copper piping will develop buildup that drastically reduces water flow until the metallic piping system must be replaced. FlowGuard Gold piping resists scaling and maintains its smooth surface for the life of the system.

When comparing CPVC piping to copper systems, it is clear that cost savings is only the beginning of the advantages to choosing FlowGuard Gold CPVC technology. With solutions from The Lubrizol Corporation you also receive access to the industry’s largest network of technical experts, an extensive network of field support specialists, world class R&D services and in-depth product training.

For additional information regarding the advantages of choosing FlowGuard Gold and Corzan CPVC piping over copper piping for plumbing applications, visit www.flowguardgold.com.