Max Efficiency: Replacing AC Pipe Insulation An imperative “rite of spring” in our house is checking our two central air conditioning systems to make sure they are working properly. This involves eliminating any dirt or debris that may have accumulated during the winter as well as checking the hoses and ductwork. This year, the main AC didn’t seem to have the cooling power it should, so we decided to have it checked out by a professional. As it turns out, this was an excellent idea. Related: 9 Ways to Lower Cooling Costs in Rising Heats The technician checked our coolant levels and did a thorough inspection of the system, quickly discovering the source of our trouble: the insulation on the cooling conduit pipes between the inside and outside units was disintegrating. This lack of insulation was compromising the integrity of the whole system, the technician said. We were losing a good 10 degrees of cooling power! Always eager to maximize energy efficiency and save ourselves money, we gave this project top priority and headed off to the home improvement store to do some research on pipe insulation.

There are various materials available—including fiberglass, foam rubber, and polyethylene foam—all offered in various diameters to fit different pipe widths. We felt the foam had several advantages, the first being that it was easy to measure and cut. air conditioning units water cooledAlso, the foam lengths looked easy to install, because they featured a split all the way down the length, with self-sealing, sticky edges that would form a tight bond once the protective backing was removed. coleman ac parts catalogFinally, the foam was inexpensive, so we could buy extra in case we needed more than we estimated.central ac vs window unit and electrical cost The first step was to carefully remove all of the old insulation from the pipes using a razor knife.

We wiped down the pipes and then wrapped the new lengths of foam insulation around the pipes, one piece at a time, starting at the roof and working our way to the edge of the outside unit. Once we had all of the foam on the pipes, we removed the protective backing from the sticky edges of the slit pieces and pressed the edges together to seal them. We worked with one segment at a time, and where two pieces joined together, we wrapped the edges with electrical tape. The result: it not only looks better, but both air conditioning units seem to be running less often and cooling more quickly! In the future, you can be sure that we’re adding “inspect pipe insulation” to our annual to-do list for air conditioning maintenance. For more on energy-efficient home cooling, consider: Bob Vila Radio: Window AC ChecklistOperation - How do I change the batteries in my Air Conditioner remote? Place the remote on its back Slide the cover down as far as it will go Place your fingers on the leading edge of the remote control cover

Lift the leading edge of the control cover Then continue to slide the cover down to expose the batteries Customers also found this information helpful. Operation - Can I switch my Air Conditioner off at the power point or at the switch board? Support & Warranty - How often should I clean my filters? Support & Operation - How do I clean my Air Purifying filters? Support & Warranty - "What is the warranty period for my Air Conditioner?" Operation - What is Soft/Dry Mode.R-22 Retrofits During Service Calls As the R-22 phaseout continues, use the service call as an opportunity to serve your customers by an AC retrofit—converting their R-22 equipment to Freon™ MO99 refrigerant, a more sustainable, non-ozone-depleting replacement. During a service call, an AC retrofit for a condensing unit, commercial, rooftop, or residential system is an opportunity to grow your bottom line. An AC retrofit is a valuable service to your customers, particularly for:

Systems with little or no refrigerant charge Systems requiring replacement of a component Environmentally focused customers with a desire for non-ozone-depleting refrigerants Customers who would prefer an AC retrofit rather than an entire system replacement Systems with lines buried in walls/floors that cannot be converted to R-410A Customers unable to afford a new R-410A system in the current economy What do these scenarios have in common? They are all opportunities for an AC retrofit from R-22 to Freon™ MO99, the non-ozone-depleting, mineral oil compatible R-22, alternative from Chemours. A Quick and Non-Disruptive Change No oil change required; Freon™ MO99 is compatible with mineral oil, AB, and POE No cutting out of compressors to dump oil No TXV or line set changes Pressure and temperatures closely match R-22 After making required repairs and changing seals and filter driers, simply evacuate and charge with Freon™ MO99

Freon™ MO99 is a non-ozone-depleting and more sustainable solution Retrofitting to Freon™ MO99 now eliminates exposure to possible R-22 supply issues Helps avoid potential R-22 price volatility Eliminates risks for HCFC leak reporting/fines Extends useful life of equipment Avoids additional service call for an AC retrofit When the system is down and the refrigerant charge is removed is the ideal opportunity to explain the clear benefits of converting your customer away from R-22. Note: Please consult and follow the Freon™ MO99 retrofit guidelines for detailed step-by-step instructions for your AC retrofit. Freon™ MO99 is a versatile R-22 replacement refrigerant for replacing R-22 in direct expansion (DX) air conditioning and refrigeration systems that can be easily used in an AC retrofit. Freon™ MO99 has been specifically formulated to combine R-22 pressure-enthalpy characteristics with mineral oil compatibility in a unique refrigerant that can be used to replace R-22 over a wide range of evaporator temperatures.

Freon™ MO99 is compatible with MO/AB/POE lubricants; in most cases, no change of lubricant type is required during the AC retrofit. Refrigeration (low- and medium-temperature) Lower retrofit labor costs versus HFC/POE options Eliminates costly and disruptive oil changes Compatible with AB, MO, and POE lubricants No expansion valve or line set changes Minimizes time spent on control set point adjustments and subsequent service calls Not subject to phaseout under the Montreal Protocol 42% lower global warming potential (GWP) than R-404A (ref. AR4 report) After the AC retrofit, can be topped off during service without removing the entire charge Based on field experience, calorimeter testing, and thermodynamic property data, Freon™ MO99 provides similar cooling capacity and energy efficiency versus R-22 in most systems, while operating at a lower compressor discharge temperature. Actual performance depends on system design and operating conditions.