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Heating & Air Conditioning

Questions on Lineset installation

8 years ago

I have drywall going up very soon and had a new lineset installed. This way I can take my time now to select an A/C unit. I wasn't 100% comfortable with the installation and had a few questions. (The old lineset didn't work with newer A/C units I was told.)

First, some oily residue came out of the old lineset. What is that?

I can see a little bit of copper here and there through the insulation. Should I be very particular and make sure none of the copper is visible?

At one particular bend, the installer inadvertently introduced a crimp in the copper. The installer said it shouldn't matter, but I had him redo that section. In my mind, even one crimp would effectively reduce the volume of the whole lineset. Am I thinking about this incorrectly?

What should be used to seal the hole where the lineset goes outside through the block foundation wall? Is hydraulic cement okay? I want to get another layer of something over that opening because I think there might still be gaps.

The lineset installer said he tested for leaks and such. Today, an HVAC guy came to give me an estimate on a new furnace. He said the ends of the lineset have to be soldered to properly test the pressure. He also implied I shouldn't be too worried about testing it. I'd be curious what the pros here think.

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Comments (9)

Vith
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
How did they insulate it? It should be the rubber insulation with self adhesive. Freon lines get quite a bit colder than water lines and need better insulation.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2790035-c-8589.htm?tid=-8050147606424666339

The oily residue out of the old lineset is normal. If you were reusing the lineset it would have to be properly flushed to get that oil and contaminates out.

Kinks in the line are never good, could cause a leak in the future.

To fill the hole in the wall, concrete caulk or butyl rubber would work.

Testing for leaks is standard during install. If the Freon doesn't keep pressure then there is a leak.
mike_home
8 years ago
Hydraulic cement also works.

The line set has to be the proper diameter for the equipment. How do you know the proper size has been installed if you haven't bought the equipment?
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anontemp123
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
mike_home, I had three separate parties tell me the lineset was too small to work with newer A/C units. Also, all three pretty much agreed this new size was standard for the type of units I will be looking at.

Vith, is it possible to do this test without connecting the ends to the inside/outside units?
anontemp123
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Here are some pictures.
anontemp123
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

In the above picture, a little bit of the copper is peaking out from the insulation. Also, this lineset is right next to the main return duct. I was told that would not be an issue with the insulation in place.
anontemp123
Original Author
8 years ago
In that picture I posted above with the copper peaking out underneath the insulation, could that be a problem?
crab_dae
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You can test the line set for leaks by closing one end of the line set (braze it closed.. and brazing in a access valve on the other end. Attach a nitrogen tank to pressurize it and see if the pressure drops over time. If it does, then either your brazed joints are bad or you've got a hole in your line set. If it checks out, I'd put a vacuum on it to see if it will hold. If it does, you're good... If you're good, put some nitrogen back into the line and leave it, till you're ready to do the install...

Remember, this has to be done on both lines... Unless, you use a reducer(s) and join the 2 lines of the line set together ... cap off one end of the joined lines and put the access valve on the other end....
weedmeister
8 years ago
I wouldn't loose too much sleep over that little gap where the copper is visible. But it will probably sweat after a while, so you can reach up there and cover it up by moving the insulation around.
anontemp123
Original Author
8 years ago
weedmeister, thanks. That's exactly the type of response I was looking for.

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