How to protect AC line insulation?

[mattkime]

Today I replaced the AC condenser line insulation. Its a bit of a pain since its a long run and goes to the second floor. (weird, just accept it) Anyway, I have no idea how long that stuff has been there so I'm unsure if it was simply its natural life or if little critters had been tearing away at it. Has anyone had trouble with rodents going after AC line insulation? Is there anything I should do to protect the foam wrap? I'm hoping it'll be a while before I need to do this chore again.

Advice?

[mikebw]

>>Has anyone had trouble with rodents going after AC line insulation?

Not in my experience. How old is the house / approximate age of the original foam?

[mattkime]

mikebw wrote:
>>Has anyone had trouble with rodents going after AC line insulation?

Not in my experience. How old is the house / approximate age of the original foam?

We need to perform radio carbon dating on the AC system. Not because its that old but because its all we have to go on.

I suspect its more than 10 years old but it looks like its in pretty good shape so not dramatically more than that.

[GGD]

mattkime wrote:
[quote=mikebw]
>>Has anyone had trouble with rodents going after AC line insulation?

Not in my experience. How old is the house / approximate age of the original foam?

We need to perform radio carbon dating on the AC system. Not because its that old but because its all we have to go on.

I suspect its more than 10 years old but it looks like its in pretty good shape so not dramatically more than that.
Does it have a serial number tag on it, you can often figure the year it was manufactured by the first few digits of the serial number.

[Carm]

The foam usually gets oxidation / uv damage over the years and crumbles/ gets hard as I’m sure you experienced when replacing the old stuff. It breaks apart/falls off over the years. You can put aluminum tape over it to help it last longer and or black uv tape.

HVAC Line Set Tape in Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/301395845

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Berry-Plasti...hall-NA-NA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-FBT-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-Catchall-NA-NA-71700000014585962-58700001236285396-92700010802552406&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1vPq9ZDS5AIVhBx9Ch3I4AArEAQYCCABEgJ_CPD_BwE

[space-time]

Outside? then you need UV protection. I wrapped Aluminum tape around it.

[mattkime]

Carm wrote:
The foam usually gets oxidation / uv damage over the years and crumbles/ gets hard as I’m sure you experienced when replacing the old stuff. It breaks apart/falls off over the years. You can put aluminum tape over it to help it last longer and or black uv tape.

HVAC Line Set Tape in Black https://www.homedepot.com/p/301395845

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Berry-Plasti...hall-NA-NA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-FBT-G-Multi-NA-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-Catchall-NA-NA-71700000014585962-58700001236285396-92700010802552406&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1vPq9ZDS5AIVhBx9Ch3I4AArEAQYCCABEgJ_CPD_BwE

Ug, why does the line set tape have printing on it?

From the reviews of line set tape it sounds like aluminum tape would have greater durability. I can find matte black aluminum tape for $20/roll. I'd end up spending more on tape than insulation but it might be the best solution.

[mattkime]

Armstrong Air

Model No: 4SCU13LB136P
Serial No: 1616E13903

I'm going to interpret that as being made in 2016. It seems like its a newer date code as it doesn't match patterns I've found documented online.

[Carm]

Depending how long the run is, you can get some sheet metal to cover the line. When my second AC unit was added they went outside the stucco and added a metal cover. But..... the placement of the AC compressors units was horrible, so we had them moved to the side before we had the patio / pool built. My run is longer now and on the side of the house. I haven’t covered it up yet, but plan to bend some sheet metal for the size of the run. Extra wide for Ac lines and electrical.

[GGD]

mattkime wrote:
Armstrong Air

Model No: 4SCU13LB136P
Serial No: 1616E13903

I'm going to interpret that as being made in 2016. It seems like its a newer date code as it doesn't match patterns I've found documented online.

The PDF Brochure has a 2016 copyright, so it seems plausible.

https://www.herculesindustries.com/sites...ochure.pdf

https://www.herculesindustries.com/prod_...CU13LB136P