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Tube, Pipe & Fittings

Are You a Good Candidate for a DX System?

The economics of DX vs. other types of systems vary depending on a number of variables.

Is the home both heated and air conditioned?
Cost of Electricity
Does your area have temperature extremes?

Is the home both heated and air conditioned?

Conventional oil and gas heating systems require an additional electric air-conditioning system for cooling. The cost of this air-conditioning system largely offsets the cost of installing the copper tubing needed for the DX system. As a result, homes that require both air-conditioning and heating are better candidates for DX systems.

Cost of Electricity

The primary cost of operating a DX system is the cost of electricity needed to circulate refrigerant through the tubing. The cost of electricity varies much more by region than does the cost of gas or oil. DX systems require less energy to provide a given amount of heat or coolness than other systems but the cost advantage this provides depends on the relative cost of electricity and oil and gas. Areas with inexpensive electricity are better candidates for DX systems.

Does your area have temperature extremes?

Air-to-air heat pumps do not function in extreme temperatures. In order to handle extreme temperatures they require the addition of an additional heating system. DX systems function best in extreme temperatures. They do not require additional heating or cooling systems. Areas which have greater variability in temperatures are better candidates for DX systems.

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Building & Architecture News

October '11: The Fall issue focuses on the benefits of copper at healthcare institutions. Read about a new copper HVAC system that makes AC systems more energy efficient; a medical campus that relies on copper for their state-of-the-art information network; copper trends in building and construction projects; how copper provides shielding for MRI systems to improve accuracy, and the importance of copper to ensure cleanliness, reliability and efficiency in medical gas systems.

Highlights

Learn about copper's 50-year warranty program

CDA Tube, Pipe and Fittings Council members:

Industry News: Selection of recent copper tube, pipe and fittings industry developments, technology advances, etc to keep you up to date.

The entire Copper Tube Handbook can be downloaded in pdf format [6 Mb].