Air conditioning systems rely on movement and the change of state (evaporation and condensation) of refrigerants between an outdoor condenser coil and an indoor evaporator coil.
The lines that carry the refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils and through the compressor and expansion device typically are copper.
– COPPER PIPES
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. The smaller uninsulated line typically carries a warm liquid. It is most often called the liquid line. Where the evaporator coil is higher than the condensing unit, the suction line should slope down toward the condensing unit with a slope of at least ¼ inch per foot to allow oil to flow back to the condensing unit. The oil, which is used to lubricate the compressor, travels with the refrigerant through the system.
Bending a Copper Pipe
We bend the copper pipes rather than using the fittings and brazing . Bending copper pipes saves money for the project and more important is a safer option ( No Freon leaks).
Kinks in an air-conditioning system’s copper pipe restrict refrigerant flow, which reduces system efficiency and can reduce the compressor’s life expectancy.
Typically, air-conditioning systems use soft copper piping, which comes from the manufacturer in 25- to 100-foot rolls. Rolled copper limits the amount of leak-prone braised fittings, but it requires custom bended turns.
Kinks will not occur when Vasi Refrigeration’s technicians install the Freon line because we don’t bend the pipe in too tight of a radius or apply too much pressure in a small area.
– SUPER FLEX PIPES
A superior alternative to traditional copper HVAC pipes are SUPER FLEX PIPES.
Super Flex Pipe is a high-pressure, high-performance flexible hose that is easily pulled through some of the thightest areas without tearing. It has a inner diameter comparable with ACR cooper tubing and the full line of fittings use double-crimp rather then temporary o-ring. Vasi Refrigeration’s technicians will soon start using the Super Flex pipes as well.
Super Flex Advantages:
- Longer Lengths than Copper pipe
- Lighter Weight than Copper pipe
- Product Flexibility
- Easier To Handle
- Virtually Impossible to Kink
- No Worries of Theft
Can super flex pipe be effectively used to replace coolant lines between interior and exterior HVAC units, where the lines from multiple condo unit lines share the same conduit? When one coolant line leaks, does this pipe require replacing ALL lines within the conduit at the same time, due to the risk of damaging non-leaking lines? Does this pipe require appropriate built-in access openings at right angle intersections when the coolant lines for condo units on floors 2 through 4 service outside units on the roof over an extended floor 1? In this case, the shared conduit travels from floors 2 through 4 down through condo hollow or concrete walls and concrete floors to the outside unit on the roof above floor 1. Can access openings be effectively added where they were not built-in to allow the pipe to flex around and through the changes in direction of the conduit?