Do builders use long or short radius elbows in the plumbing?

[rock]

I only found out today about the existence and efficiency advantage of long-radius elbows versus short-radius elbows.

Taking a look at my professionally installed pool equipment, I see only short radius elbows:

Since there was plenty of room then, and now, I wonder why a builder would opt for short-radius elbows when longer-radius elbows would fit as well.

Any insight into this new topic (for me) of what most builders use for initial pool equipment elbows?

 

[mas985]

Re: Do builders use long or short radius elbows in the plumb

Yes most builders use short radius elbows because it makes the plumbing a little easier.

However, the advantage of long radius elbows is small at best. In a typical plumbing setup, replacing a 90 with long radius 90 would reduce head loss by less than 0.2% per 90. To me it isn't worth the hassle. Up sizing the pipe has a much larger impact (~9%) because it affects not only 90s but every fitting and all the pipe.