Polyethylene pipe for ERV or HRV ducting
This is way outside the box, but I am not afraid to play the fool to obtain a good end. Comfotube is well over $2 a foot, it is made from HDPE.
Polyethylene drain pipe is made from LDPE. The off-gassing is lower than PVC and is rated for indoor use. Drain pipe is under $1 a foot.
It is way stronger and more dimensionally sound than Comfoflex or any other flex tube or dryer vent crap if installed properly. The big issue with Comfotube was that it could burn, but after a long discussion with my distributor, the reason was confusion over venting gases from a flame. ERV/HRV’s don’t have any flame so Comfotube is now well stocked and my inspector says he has no problem with it.
With the documentation I have put together, I don’t think he will have a problem with drain pipe even though it is spec’d for a completely different purpose. They also make vacuum duct hose out of the exact same material.
But before I make a complete fool out of myself, can anyone tell me why using 3″ or 4″ “Polyethylene vent ducting” would be, well foolish?
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Replies
Mhenson,
Im curious about this as well. It seems someone would have a "comfotube" equivalent by now. Hope you get some suggestions.
It really comes down to your AHJ. If they are happy with the pipe, no reason not to use it. I would make sure you can get all the fittings for the connections you need including at the registers.