In refrigeration and air-conditioning applications, insulation needs
to be able to protect against condensation
. Moisture control is critical to thermal efficiency. If moisture intrudes the insulating material surrounding cold-water piping, thermal efficiency is lost.
What is the purpose of refrigerant piping insulation?
The right insulation for refrigeration applications must
provide condensation and moisture control within
an insulation system on refrigerant piping, drains and ducts. If moisture intrudes the insulating material surrounding refrigeration piping, thermal efficiency is lost.
Does refrigerant piping require insulation?
1 In general, refrigerant suction lines and chilled water pipes require
either 1/2′′ or 1′′ insulation depending on the size and temperature of the pipes
. 2 Hot pipes require anywhere from 1′′ to 5′′ of insulation depending on size and temperature.
What is refrigeration piping?
Refrigerant lines are
two copper lines that connect the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump to the indoor evaporator coil
. The larger line typically carries a cool gas and is insulated. This is commonly referred to as the suction line, but it is also called the return line or vapor line.
What type of insulation is used for refrigerant lines?
The ASHRAE Handbook recommends
cellular glass, closed cell elastomeric, closed cell phenolic, polystyrene and polyisocyanurate insulation
for refrigeration system applications. These insulation types share a few characteristics: closed-cell structure, low water absorption and low WVT.
What type of insulation is used for AC pipes?
AC pipe insulation is available at your typical home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. There are several available options for insulation material:
fiberglass, foam rubber, and polyethylene foam
. The best of these is polyethylene foam.
Can I insulate both AC lines?
Identify the correct AC line to insulate. A typical residential AC unit has two copper lines that both exit the building exterior and run to the outside condenser unit. Only one of these copper pipes,
the cold line, should be insulated
. This is called the “suction” pipe and is typically the larger of the two pipes.
How do you calculate pipe insulation?
Q/N = 80W/m. Pipe Dia is 12′′ hence radius is 6′′. Radius in meters : (6′′ X 25.4)/1000 = 0.1524 meters. Extra margin must be taken on insulation thickness as sometimes conducting heat transfer through insulation may become higher than convective heat transfer due to air on outside wall of insulation.
What is the R value of pipe insulation?
Most foam pipe insulation is 3/8 inch thick with an
R-value of 2
, but heavy-duty foam pipe insulation, which is 5/8 inch thick, has an R-value of 4. Self-sealing foam insulation sleeves with R-values of 2 and 3 are also available.
What are the three major refrigerant lines?
These individual components are connected by refrigerant piping. The suction line connects the evaporator to the compressor,
the discharge line connects the compressor to the condenser
, and the liquid line connects the condenser to the expansion device.
What is the maximum length of refrigerant piping?
Length is general guide. Lengths may be more or less, depending on remaining system design factors. Maximum linear (actual) length =
200 feet
. Maximum linear liquid lift = 60 feet.
What are the 2 AC lines?
There are two copper lines that run between the condenser and the evaporator coil. The larger line is known as the suction line, return line, or vapor line. It carries cool gas, so it must be insulated with tubing. The second copper line is small and bare, and it is commonly known as
the liquid line
.
What type of pipe insulation is best?
For many residential plumbing applications a
PE pipe insulation
product like Tubolit® and Tundra® is the perfect option. Economical and easy to install, PE foam insulation will prevent pipes from freezing and keep hot pipes hot and cold pipes cold.
Which type of insulation is most effective?
Fiberglass
is the most common insulation used in modern times. Because of how it is made, by effectively weaving fine strands of glass into an insulation material, fiberglass is able to minimize heat transfer.
