Proper insulation can keep a residential air conditioning system operating at optimal performance and efficiency. Insulation helps maintain consistent temperatures from pipe entry to exit while shielding pipes against corrosion or damage.
Foam pipe insulation can be easily installed. Usually divided along its length and sealed with adhesive edges, once removed from its protective backing it can simply be placed over the copper line.
How to Insulate AC Pipes
Insulation of AC pipes helps maintain consistent temperatures, protect them from damage, conserve energy and lower environmental concerns. Furthermore, insulation reduces condensation, noise pollution and environmental concerns by decreasing condensation rates and noise pollution. When selecting insulation material that complies with ASHRAE specifications for the temperature range and R-value requirements of your AC pipe system.
Foam and rubber insulations are two mainstays for AC refrigerant lines, both being relatively affordable options. Foam can withstand more temperature variations while offering superior moisture protection than rubber, while its R-value makes for greater thermal efficiency than its rubber counterpart.
Before installing insulation, turn off your air conditioner and allow its suction line to fully cool before using a utility knife to cut away existing insulation – taking care not to nick copper pipes when doing so. After the old insulation has been removed, wipe down the suction pipe with denatured alcohol to remove moisture from its surface before rolling up new insulation around it and taping it securely around its perimeter.
Materials
Foam and rubber insulation options for AC lines offer temperature regulation and condensation prevention, yet each has unique benefits and drawbacks. Foam insulation is inexpensive and easy to install; however, it may not be suitable in high temperature or wet environments; while rubber requires careful consideration when choosing specific applications due to higher costs.
Mineral wool insulation boasts an R-value of 0.30 and moisture resistance, making it suitable for use in both ducts and pipes. As this material can cause skin irritation when handled improperly, care must be taken when handling mineral wool insulation products.
Closed-cell elastomeric insulation offers reliable thermal protection and condensation control for copper and iron pipes. This durable yet flexible product comes in 2-metre unsplit tubes, long coils or sheets with factory applied aluminium facings that help safeguard it against foot traffic or lawn implement damage.
Preparation
Before beginning to insulate pipes, ensure they are clean and dry. Next, wrap pipe ends and service valves with insulation tape to reduce condensation, which could otherwise damage your pipe in the future. Finally, measure both length and outer diameter for each piping run to determine how much insulation you require before purchasing the appropriate size at your local hardware or plumbing supply store – being careful to purchase insulation that fits each pipe run’s internal diameter precisely as well as some additional rolls of tape as service valve covers are important components in keeping condensation at bay.
Prepare Shop Drawings that specify the type, thickness and jacketing for each piece of pipe insulation. Insulate elbows, joints and tee fittings using preformed fitting insulation or mitered sections from sectional pipe insulation made from material of equal material density as that used in adjoining pipes – at least two times its thickness or one pipe diameter thickness, whichever is thicker; overlapping adjoining insulation by no less than this threshold (whichever thickness comes first); fill joints seams voids using an insulating cement that creates smooth hard uniform contours compatible with adjoining pipe insulation.
Installation
Insulating your AC pipes will more than pay for itself in the long run. Frozen pipes can cause significant damage that will cost thousands in repairs and energy consumption costs; pipe insulation also prevents moisture accumulation along the lines while controlling noise pollution.
Insulating pipes comes in various forms, from foam rubber and fiberglass, to pre-packaged sleeves designed specifically for air conditioner pipes made of polyethylene foam with close-cell designs to prevent moisture intrusion. For AC pipes, pre-packaged sleeves often use polyethylene foam material with tight cell structures designed to block out moisture intrusion.
Insulation installation can be accomplished on your own, however professional assistance might be necessary if you prefer. Plumbers or handymen typically charge an hourly rate, so estimate how long this job may take when making a budget plan. For larger projects, companies might offer set price services.