FlowGuard^® Plus CPVC vs. Copper

Many professionals today have made the choice to move away from copper to alternatives like CPVC in recent years. Since 1959, installers have shifted to FlowGuard® Pipe and Fittings, leaving behind the problems of copper like pitting, scaling and corrosion.

Low-Cost, Low-Hassle Installation

FlowGuard Plus pipes and fittings offer significant cost savings over copper. In addition to the low and stable CPVC pipe costs, a FlowGuard Plus CPVC plumbing system installs quickly and easily. Plumbers can expect total installed cost savings of up to 50% or more when using FlowGuard Plus pipes and fittings.

Long Term Performance

FlowGuard Plus CPVC pipes and CPVC fittings resist corrosion and degradation. Choosing FlowGuard Plus CPVC vs Copper can help you avoid corrosion, which could lead to pinhole leaks, costly repairs, or even total system replacement.

Water Quality and Human Health

Unlike copper, FlowGuard Plus pipes and fittings are certified to NSF 61 for drinking water transport under all water conditions, regardless of water hardness.

Copper from the pipe interior can leach into drinking water, posing potential health issues to those drinking the water. In fact, according to the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), copper is a registered pesticide and is not permitted to exceed 1.3 parts per million (ppm) in drinking water.

Homeowner Benefits

The natural insulating properties of FlowGuard Plus pipes and fittings help reduce condensation and provide a more energy-efficient system. For cold water conveyance, copper is prone to condensation, which can drip and cause water damage.

Sustainability

With the industry’s ongoing focus on environmentally friendly products, it is important to note that a life-cycle inventory (LCI) conducted by Franklin Associates proved that CPVC outperforms copper in a number of key sustainability categories. The LCI showed that CPVC uses significantly less energy to manufacture than copper, and it contributes less to global warming.

From mineral extraction, smelting and soldering, the production and installation of copper piping is extremely energy-intensive. Even the recycling of copper has significant environmental impacts.

A 3rd party life-cycle inventory when doing a study on CPVC vs Copper found that CPVC piping systems outperform copper in key categories such as embodied energy, global warming potential, atmospheric emissions, and waterborne emissions.