Which material is most commonly used for flue vent piping in high-efficiency furnaces?

High-efficiency furnaces are designed to extract maximum heat from the fuel they consume, which results in lower temperature exhaust gases. The most commonly used material for flue vent piping in these systems is PVC, as it is suitable for handling the lower temperatures and corrosive nature of the flue gases produced.

PVC is lightweight, easy to install, and resistant to the acidic condensate that can form as a byproduct in high-efficiency models. This makes it the preferred choice because it effectively prevents deterioration and maintains the integrity of the vent system over time.

While other materials like aluminum and galvanized steel can be used in venting applications, they are not as effective in handling the specific conditions presented by high-efficiency furnaces compared to PVC. Copper is not typically used due to its cost and the potential for corrosion when exposed to certain flue gases.