A/C lines wrapped??

07fitsport · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 10:38 AM

i noticed that the A/C lines get hot would it help keep the ac blow colder air or not work as hard to blow the cold air into the FIT interior if the ac lines/hoses were wrapped with some thermal protection so they didnt get hot?

seeremlive · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07fitsport

i noticed that the A/C lines get hot would it help keep the ac blow colder air or not work as hard to blow the cold air into the FIT interior if the ac lines/hoses were wrapped with some thermal protection so they didnt get hot?

One side of the AC is hot the other is cold. The hot line is removing the heat from the cabin evaporator to the condensor up front to let the heat go in the atmosphere. The freon is then compressed back into a liquid and sent back to the evaporator where it expands to a vapor and gets cold. The cabin air is forced over the coil and the heat is taken out of the air and transfered to the freon gas and back to the condensor to give off the heat.

By wrapping the Hot side of the system you are actually lowering the efficiency of the system by removing a secondays place for the heat to be removed from the system. This is why on a house AC system you see a large AC line (liquid & cold) insulated and the smaller (Vapor & Hot) not isulated. The condensor is the primary way to remove heat, but the line does give off heat and this helps also. Wrap the cold line if you want and this may increase efficiency slightly, but never wrap the hot line.

BTW: My brother and father are pipefitters with refrig specialty.

07fitsport · #3 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 05:16 PM

sorry guess i should have said yes the cold side if i wrap it wouild it keep it colder or from the ac compressor fitting to keep the air as cold

HarumaN · #4 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 05:23 PM

I might have to try this... it's pretty dang hot here (108 today). If it helps even a little that would be great!

seeremlive · #5 (**permalink**) 06-24-2008, 05:26 PM

This could help. Especially on the aluminum hard line portions. Go to a hardware store and get some of the hot water pipe insulation. Wrap this in aluminum duct tape. The tape will help reflect heat and keep the insulation attached. It will also look good if it is applied evenly. A little shine in the engine compartment.

I have done this on fuel lines on boats to keep the fuel from boiling in the line and vapor locking. All of this is available form Home Depot, Lowes, etc.