As long as you get the insulation thoroughly dry within a few days it does not need to be replaced.

What happens if AC drain is clogged?

A Clogged Line Will Freeze Your AC System



A clogged condensate drain line will trap water in your air conditioner. As a result, the evaporator coil will eventually turn to ice. The moisture in the drain line can also freeze, which will cause your air conditioner to turn off.

Why does my AC drain line keeps backing up?





Why Is My AC Pipe Clogged? An AC pipe usually develops a clog due to algae. Because of warm air that blows over the cold evaporator coil of the HVAC, the drain pipe can get pretty humid; and along with the condensate traveling through the pipe, these conditions are perfect for algae to thrive.

How do I get rid of slime in my AC drain line?

Follow these steps to reduce the chances of white slime:

  1. Remove the air filter. …
  2. Use a strong suction vacuum to remove all dust, debris, and slime.
  3. Rinse the lines and pans with a 50/50 bleach and water solution. …
  4. Finally, replace your air filter.


What happens if the suction line is not insulated?

If the return line is not insulated, the refrigerant returning from evaporator to the compressor will absorb some heat, more heat than it had at the outlet of the evaporator. This extra heat will also be present in the compressed refrigerant going to the condenser, downstream of the compressor.

How much does it cost to unclog an AC drain line?





Clogged Drain Line



If the condensate drain line becomes clogged, water can back up and overflow into your home, resulting in a messy leak. To flush the line or repair it can cost anywhere from $75-$250. In the case that the evaporator coil needs replacing, you are would pay between $400 to $950.

Is bleach or vinegar better for AC drain line?

We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can be harmful to your AC system if your drain line has copper tubing. Using vinegar will not damage your system. Spilling bleach can also ruin carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar will just leave a strong odor.

How do I change the insulation in my AC pipe?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: But you'll need to measure your outside diameter of your pipe. And find out which works best for you. So this is a very thick insulation here it's a like a micro cell kind of a foam.

Should AC drain lines be insulated?

No. Building & mechanical codes do not require insulation on A/C condensate drains, based on a reading of the current U.S. Energy Code that I will excerpt here.

Why does AC pipe need insulation?



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.

Should I insulate the liquid line?

Liquid lines generally are insulated. They are warm to hot (110°F (43.3°C) for air-cooled). If liquid lines pass through a space that is warmer than the refrigerant (i.e. the roof of a building at roof level), or if they could be considered hot enough to pose a safety risk, then insulation should be added.

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.

Do both refrigerant lines need insulation?



You typically don’t need to insulate the high-pressure refrigerant line. You should, however, insulate the low-pressure refrigerant. Insulating the low-pressure refrigerant line will protect against condensation.

Should the small AC line be cold?

The Copper Pipe (Suction Line) should be sweating and cold to the touch during a hot day. If it is not cold, your compressor could be off (bad capacitor/ hard start kit) or low on Refrigerant. Your Breaker is Tripped.

Should both AC pipes be cold?

There are two pipes from the condensing unit (outdoors) to the evaporator (indoors). One should be full of liquid refrigerant on its way to the expansion valve, the other should be cooler, returning to the compressor suction.

How do you insulate AC refrigerant lines?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So that the compressor can cool down. So just kind of fit it over there like that and I strip the old insulation off already. So you get it to a comfortable length where you're happy with it.