PEX and copper both carry hot water through a hydronic heating system, but they differ in flexibility, retrofit ease, and how they hold up over decades.
Tell us what you need—we’ll call you back fast.
Quick answer
Copper piping has been the traditional standard for hydronic heating systems for decades, offering rigid, durable runs that many older Metro Vancouver homes were originally built with, while PEX is a flexible cross-linked polyethylene tubing that has become common in newer installations and retrofits because it's faster to install and can snake through tight spaces without as many joints. Copper generally holds up well over a very long service life but is more labour-intensive to install and more expensive per foot, while PEX installs faster and more flexibly but has different temperature and pressure limits that a technician needs to verify against the specific boiler system. Which one fits a given home often comes down to what's already in the walls, the age of the home, and the specific run being replaced or extended.
Need a licensed gas fitter for your hot water / boiler? Call CANRO at (604) 359-1081 — residential natural-gas heating and hot water across Metro Vancouver since 1999.
Copper is a rigid metal pipe that has been used in hydronic and plumbing systems for generations, valued for its durability, resistance to damage from foot traffic or accidental impact, and long track record in this climate. It requires soldered or pressed joints at every connection and every direction change, which takes more time and skill to install correctly, particularly in tight or awkward spaces common in older basements and crawl spaces.
PEX is a flexible plastic tubing that can bend around obstacles and run through joist bays and wall cavities with far fewer fittings than copper would need for the same route, which speeds up installation and reduces the number of joints that could eventually leak. It has specific temperature and pressure ratings that vary by type and application, and a technician needs to confirm the tubing is rated appropriately for the boiler system's operating temperatures before using it.
| Factor | Copper | PEX |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | Rigid, needs fittings at every bend | Flexible, can bend around obstacles |
| Installation speed | Slower, more joints and soldering | Faster, fewer fittings needed |
| Cost per foot | Generally higher material cost | Generally lower material cost |
| Durability to impact | Resistant to physical damage | Can be damaged by sharp objects or rodents |
| Common setting | Older homes, exposed mechanical runs | Newer installs, retrofits through tight spaces |
Many older Vancouver character homes have existing copper hydronic piping that's still in good condition after decades of service, and a technician replacing a boiler in one of these homes will often reuse that existing copper rather than repiping the whole system, provided a pressure test and visual inspection show it's sound. Where new runs are needed, especially through finished walls, tight joist spaces, or awkward routes to a laneway house or basement suite, PEX is often the more practical choice simply because it can be fished through those spaces with far less demolition than rigid copper would require.
Homes with exposed mechanical rooms and straightforward, short runs sometimes still use copper for its durability and clean, professional appearance, particularly where the piping will be visible rather than concealed inside walls.
Copper has an extremely long documented history in hydronic systems and tends to be very durable against physical damage, though it's not immune to corrosion in certain water chemistry conditions over a long enough timeline. PEX doesn't corrode the same way but can degrade if exposed to direct ultraviolet light for extended periods or damaged by rodents in a crawl space, so routing and protection matter. Neither material is inherently the wrong choice; the right one depends on the specific run, the home's existing infrastructure, and the boiler system's requirements, which is why a licensed technician assesses each situation individually rather than defaulting to one material for every job.
Safety note
This comparison involves gas-fired heating equipment, venting, and combustion. Any gas line work, venting change, or connection to a gas appliance must be done by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter. If you ever smell gas or suspect a carbon monoxide problem, leave the home immediately and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from a safe location before doing anything else.
When rated and installed correctly for the system's temperature and pressure, PEX performs reliably, though its long-term track record in hydronic applications is shorter than copper's decades of documented use.
Yes, with the correct transition fittings a technician can join PEX and copper sections, which is common when extending or repairing part of an existing copper system with PEX.
Any difference is generally minor compared to other system factors like boiler efficiency and insulation, and a properly designed system performs well with either material.
If the existing piping is copper and still sound, reusing it avoids unnecessary demolition, and in exposed mechanical rooms copper's physical durability can be preferred over PEX's exposure vulnerability.
PEX generally has lower material and labour costs due to faster installation with fewer fittings, but the total project cost also depends on the specific run length, access, and any existing piping being reused.
Family-run, TSBC-licensed (gas LGA0043870 · boiler LBP0046450), serving Metro Vancouver homes since 1999. Residential, natural gas only.
Call (604) 359-1081 Email info@canroheat.ca“Canro does an amazing job! Super professional and skilled with everything—boilers, furnaces, and AC. Always a pleasure working with them!”
“Five stars for Canro. We needed a replacement of a 30-year-old boiler. A new high-efficiency unit was installed—clean, professional work.”
“I can’t speak highly enough about George, who was recommended for a boiler service call for my parents’ home. George is excellent.”
25+ years keeping Metro Vancouver homes comfortable. Honest advice, upfront pricing, work that lasts.