Choose copper plumbing over plastic if you care about the environment. That’s the message from a recent German study that examined the environmental effects of two different drinking water systems: copper and plastic composite pipes.

German company, PE Europe, used life-cycle analysis to determine the energy and material flows of these products when supplying hot and cold water in a range of typical dwellings over a 50 year period.

The concept of sustainable development, for which life-cycle analysis is a basis, is one of the important foundations of German urban planning. For this reason, planners must carefully consider the environmental effects of the materials they select.

For the study, drinking-water systems were installed in various types of buildings and covering three types of installation: 1) Semi-detached house with recirculation pump for hot water, 2) Semi-detached house with no recirculation pump, 3) Apartment block with circulation.

All data for the production, utilisation and disposal of all system components was collected and comparatively assessed.

In addition to the pipes, both systems contained fittings, insulation and the necessary installation materials. Brazing was applied in the case of the copper pipes; clamping in the case of the plastic composites.

Results showed that copper piping systems are significantly more energy efficient, thus reducing ozone depletion and contributing far less to global warming. Compared to their plastic counterparts, copper pipes have significantly lower heat losses since their outer diameters are smaller and pipe lengths shorter.

In addition to the important result of energy observation of the two piping systems, the study also showed that the installation of copper piping can be assessed as extremely positive on hygienic criteria, as a result of the copper system’s lower water content.

To download a copy of the study “Material life-cycle analyses:
Comparative materials study for drinking-water systems”, click on this link