AC line set insulation

[stoveliker]

The installers years ago didn't wrap the insulated line set in UV resistant tape. I didn't know about the need for that.
So I did so when the foam started deteriorating.
However, the Shur UV resistant tape (LS300) is deteriorating in its third year... See pic.

Question number 1.
Anybody know of a better tape? I thought Shur was good. My pic says it's garbage.


Question number 2.
The insulation is shrinking so pulling back from where the lines go in the compressor unit.
Should I cut everything off, start over with insulation and UV resistant tape to get the insulating cover all the way up to the compressor (rather than having an inch of bare line visible there)?

Thanks

 

[Whitenuckler]

The installers years ago didn't wrap the insulated line set in UV resistant tape. I didn't know about the need for that.
So I did so when the foam started deteriorating.
However, the Shur UV resistant tape (LS300) is deteriorating in its third year... See pic.

Question number 1.
Anybody know of a better tape? I thought Shur was good. My pic says it's garbage.


Question number 2.
The insulation is shrinking so pulling back from where the lines go in the compressor unit.
Should I cut everything off, start over with insulation and UV resistant tape to get the insulating cover all the way up to the compressor (rather than having an inch of bare line visible there)?

Thanks

On heat pumps they are using plastic covers here. The line set(s) are pre-insulated. Just copper inserted into some sort of white tube insulation.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, that white insulation completely fell apart a couple of years ago in the sections from the bottom of the plastic (downspout like) covers to the compressor.

 

[Murray01]

Cut back 6” or so and re insulate the 6”? It’s just a foam insulation?

UV breaks down everything. What about something like the link below?

Tuff Weave Wrap Heavy Duty Hose & Cable Sleeve | Abrasion Resistant

Tuff Weave heavy-duty woven sleeving offers an effective solution for the organization of wires, cables, and hoses enduring continuous and rigorous usage.

www.cabletiesandmore.ca

 

[stoveliker]

Yeah, but I would expect better from what seems to be the industry standard.

Point of tape is also that it is supposed to be water tight, that rain doesn't get in the insulation. I'm not sure that wrap is going to be rain tight.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Can you paint it? An exterior latex paint is hard to beat for durability, waterproofing, and UV resistance. I’d use silicone to waterproof the ends. It’ll keep some movement to deal with seasonal expansion and contraction. If you want more movement, maybe a spar varnish?

 

[stoveliker]

I think paint will crack due to insulation having voids and this expanding and contracting with weather.

I may have to strip all back to bare copper at least from the compressor to the plastic covers on the wall, and get some armaflex and do it all over.

That still leaves the question as to what best to put on that insulation for better UV protection.
Google tells me shurtape ls300 is the best. That's what I used.
Second is 3M 1507. Their website says weather proof and UV protective for 6 months...

What do installers put on AC lines on e.g. supermarket roofs...? They're not going to redo this every 6 months...

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Most of the ac lines I see have the cheap black foam insulation. I’ve never seen any special tape over it or special care given. Maybe most people consider it a disposable covering? If the special tape is going over a dollar piece of foam insulation, why not just use duct tape and replace it every year? White tape could reflect an awful lot of the sun.

After the cost/benefit/breakeven point/environmental impact studies are done, it’s possible that we’re overthinking this, lol.

 

[stoveliker]

Yeah,. maybe.
I just got down this path because the original white insulation that came with the line set was crumbling and falling off
Online I found that one is supposed to wrap the original insulation with UV protection.

I do think most folks are running their mini split with large losses due to poor insulation. See how much water condenses on them. That's all wasted energy. (Or feel how hot they are in winter when heating).