Do AC refrigerant lines need to be insulated?

Liquid lines generally are insulated. If liquid lines pass through a space that is warmer than the refrigerant (i.e. the roof of a building at roof level), or if they could be considered hot enough to pose a safety risk, then insulation should be added.

How do I seal the AC lines in my house?

Use a rubber roofing boot to seal holes where air conditioning or plumbing lines penetrate the walls of your home.

Should both AC lines be cold?

When the system is operating, the large insulated suction line should be cold to the touch and sweating at any point where there is no insulation. The smaller uninsulated liquid line should be warm to the touch after the system has been operating for 10 or 15 minutes.

How do you seal an outside pipe through an air conditioner?

Use caulk or pre-fabricated gaskets to seal around the plumbing pipe penetrations in exterior walls. Make sure the gasket is properly integrated with the house wrap and that cuts in the house wrap around the gasket are taped or caulked.

What do you use to seal AC lines?

Acrylic caulk, easy to apply, fills small holes less than one-quarter inch. Acrylic caulk is durable but shrinks over time. This characteristic makes it unsuitable for large gaps. Other caulks, such as polyurethane, fill larger holes due to their better adhesion but are difficult to use as they do not smooth on easily.

How cold should the refrigerant line be?

The suction temperature should be above 35°F and below 65°F entering the compressor and the discharge line temperature should be below 220°F and above 150°F (typically) on a properly functioning package unit.

When should I add insulation to my refrigerant lines?

If liquid lines pass through a space that is warmer than the refrigerant (i.e. the roof of a building at roof level), or if they could be considered hot enough to pose a safety risk, then insulation should be added.

What is the best type of refrigerant line insulation?

Rubatex is the most common form of refrigerant line insulation. – Thanks to professional home inspector Stephen Stanczyk in Washington State ([email protected]) for editing assistance. Liquid lines generally are insulated. They are warm to hot (110°F (43.3°C) for air-cooled).

What is the best way to insulate a refrigerant pipe?

– using a refrigerant tubing insulation product like Armacell’s Armaflex insulation that combines foam insulation with a UV-resistant outer jacket – this is a good option for new refrigerant piing installations in environments where there is extra risk of corrosion or exposure to other harsh conditions.

How hot is too hot for refrigerant lines?

They are warm to hot (110°F (43.3°C) for air-cooled). If liquid lines pass through a space that is warmer than the refrigerant (i.e. the roof of a building at roof level), or if they could be considered hot enough to pose a safety risk, then insulation should be added.