Does anyone have a good source that tells how long the freon lines can be for a/c units?
Situation is, we’re finishing out a condo. We (the HO and I) are one of the first units being finished out. The first two floors are wider than the upper floors, so there is a second floor roof, and that’s where almost all of the a/c units are being placed. Problem is, we are on the third floor, so several of the units will be outside the bedroom and living room windows of our unit. The windows are single pane, and can’t be changed cuz they’re historical.
One side of the thirdd flood has no windows, and I suggested that the units be placed over there. The building archy says it can’t be done cuz of the length of the freon lines. Worst case, the first floor units, they will have a vertical run of about 25 feet, and then a horizontal of about 100 ft. Will that be a problem?
If it makes a difference, all the units will be new, and they must be Trane XL, XR or XB. My client has offered to pay the additional cost of the longer freon and electrical lines.
“When asked if you can do something, tell’em “Why certainly I can”, then get busy and find a way to do it.” T. Roosevelt
Replies
If I remember correctly, you can get linesets as long as 50ft. I do not know if you can splice them together though.
Sounds like a bozo for an archy.
125 ft should be no problem, slight hit on COP. Do NOT oversize the suction line as you need to account for oil transport. The Trane web site has lots of details on line length, added comp. oil needed and additional (R22?) charge. If Puron or R410 system less of a problem.
If your building archy has no clue what he is doing with refrigeration or HP, tell him to post the question on HVAC-talk.com.
it doesnt matter how long they are, just add more to them, you can (1) 100 footer or (10) 10 footers, doesn matter. Hvac-talk.com is a good place for information. Truly nice people.
Edited 10/9/2005 8:27 am ET by brownbagg
I hate to be a bother ... I looked at the Trane site before I posted, and I could not find any technical info.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Sorry, Trane apparently has revised their web offerings, could not find a working link to the hard copy info printed out a few years back.
If you have an HVAC contractor already chosen, they should be able to give you all the info you need. For 175 feet, may need to add some oil traps, insulate the liquid line in addition to the suction line, add small amount of oil and freon to the system, etc.
Noticed that you got 5 responses on HVAC-talk in 1/2 hours, including the nearly , for HVAC-talk, mandatory >:( response of 'illegal install' (some of those guys really hate DIY, think they are gods since the EPA licencing in early 90's)
Yeah, the Trane search function is done for maintenance.
I noticed that illegal comment. One fella, Wiggins? Higgins? seems to have a negative attitude.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Scanned the hvac responses and your more detailed description of dumping bathroom exhaust into the living space and other archy ideas - cut and copy that here, betcha REALLY get some "nice" comments about the archy's qualification then. Glad to see others agree with initial archy assessment as a bozo - is his/her spouse on the historical preservation board??
On the cost increase for the lines, hvad-talk is really a bummer on discussing costs, so her is my estimate, you inset your hvac guys hourly rate. Line set copper, about $250, extra 2 hours routing and insulating (maybe way more depending on dripping considerations with the bath vented into the living space, could require a very good install of lineset insulation), less than $20 extra freon, assuming R22, twice that if 410A, extra 1/2 hr pulling vacuum, extra $100 for other hvac item mentioned on a response on that site. So about $300 parts, 2-1/2 hours time extra. The scary part is runing the linest in possible high humidity area, there is going to be extra cost there for even a 25 foot line over what an outside or crawl space lineset would be.
I had guestimated about $500 per unit, so I'm in the ballpark.
I had previously posted about the ventilation issues, and got a pretty good discussion. Also, none of the windows are egress-compliant, but they got the city to sign off on that too. And no need for natural light in any room. I have a copy of the city's approval in my files.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
After reading this thread and the others about this project I have one question.
Did this architect graduate from a reconized architecture school or did he go to the Grace L Ferguson Storm Door Company, Airline Pilot School, and Architecture School?
Grace L Ferguson Storm Door Company, Airline Pilot School, and Architecture School?
Isnt that the school that train lawn mower mechanics too.