What is A/C tubing insulation and what happens when it gets damaged?
The torn black pipe is actually tubing insulation. We often call it by the brand name “Armaflex” in the trade. Usually, you will find it torn or damaged near the outside portion of an air conditioning unit. This is often due to a combination of sun damage or damage from lawn implements, such as weed eaters and edgers.
The insulation on most system types covers the large refrigerant line that is traveling back to the compressor called the “suction line.” This refrigerant line carries cool, vaporized refrigerant back from the indoor unit. The low-temperature vapor helps to keep the compressor cool and running properly. On a “heat pump” system, this line can also turn into a hot gas line during the heating season. So, what was previously a cool line carrying refrigerant from the inside out is now a VERY HOT line carrying high-pressure vapor from the outside in.
The good news is that the small section of tubing insulation that is exposed outside actually has very little effect on the operation of your system overall. However, there is a small operational toll that can affect the compressor over time in an air conditioner.
On a heat pump, the insulation also serves to prevent an unwitting victim from receiving a burn as well as protects and wires that happen to be touching the line from melting.
At Kalos, when we install a new system, we coat the lines with a manufacturer-recommended UV coating. This white coating not only makes the lines outside look a little nicer but also protects the lines from damaging sunlight.
If your line insulation is torn or damaged, it is certainly no emergency. Still, you may want to ask your service provider about replacing it on their next scheduled A/C maintenance visit.
If you are interested in an A/C upgrade, you can fill out the form below or call us at 352-243-7088 for any of your repair, maintenance, or replacement needs.
