Run Refrigerant Lines Through Walls: How To Do It

If you’re a homeowner who cares a lot about aesthetics, you might find that visible refrigerant lines conflict with your design goals. You might be interested in learning if and how to run these refrigerant lines through walls. If the answer is yes, you’ve found the proper site. We’ve consulted knowledgeable HVAC experts to get you trustworthy responses.

To run refrigerant lines through walls, follow these steps:

• Assemble the required supplies
• Decide where you want the line to go on the wall.
• Make a path on the wall for the refrigerant line to follow.
• Conduct an installation leak test.
• Close the wall and carry out additional tests.
• You need to know more about the steps that are given.

How To Run Refrigerant Lines Through Walls: Step-By-Step Instructions

Coolants, commonly referred to as refrigerants, are crucial parts of heaters and air conditioning units. Running refrigerant lines through walls can be a fantastic option to instal your system and keep your home tidy because refrigerant lines can be ugly.

Here are the procedures you should take if you have an HVAC system, such as a mini-split air conditioner, and want to run the refrigerant lines through walls.

1. Obtain The Materials You Need

You would require supplies such as copper tubing, a hand-grinding machine, cement, a hand trowel, and an insulation tester to complete this method.

2. Select A Location For The Line On The Wall

Mark the location of the refrigerant line on the wall using tape or spray paint. It should be noted that the wall must be correctly built because lines flowing through incomplete walls can be dangerous.

3. Make A Path For The Refrigerant Lines To Follow On The Wall

The next step is to cut out the path that would suitably house the refrigerant lines once you have the required length of lines. A hand-grinding machine or a nibbler powered by a drill can be used for this.

4. Perform An Installation Leak Test

You should look for leaks because your lines may flow through the floorboards and other parts of your home. If necessary, repair leaks or replace the refrigerant lines. If not, the next step is to join the lines with a glue so they may fit through a hole to the outdoor unit.

5. Close The Wall And Carry Out More Tests

Once more, make sure everything is in order and that the lines are the right length. Use a hand trowel to apply cement to the wall patch if everything is in order. Use the same material that was used in the adjacent wall portions before the original break, if possible.

This guarantees that the surface will blend in and be undetectable. Finish painting the wall with the same colour. Use an insulation tester resistance metre to perform pressure and megger checks before to turning on your system.

Can Refrigerant Lines Be Extended?

Knowing how far the lines are required to run is crucial if you plan to run your refrigerant lines through walls. This would be taken into consideration when deciding where in the house to place your unit. Longer than average refrigerant lines require more work to move the refrigerant.

Up to 600 inches can be used for refrigerant lines (25-50 feet). Sometimes, especially if your indoor unit is far from the outside unit, it may take longer.

In any event, a skilled technician can adjust the length as necessary by cutting or lengthening it.

How Can Exposed Refrigerant Lines On Walls Be Covered?

Running a refrigerant line through a wall isn’t always the best option for all types of walls, and in some places, it can be quite expensive. Here are some alternatives you can take into consideration if you’re looking for strategies to keep unsightly refrigerant lines hidden.

Paint The Refrigerant Lines
The refrigerant lines may be painted, which would lessen their first visual impact but not fully eliminate them. The paint should match the colour of your wall or the other surface close to the lines.

When selecting the type of paint to use, use caution. Make sure the line’s substance doesn’t deteriorate. Also, before painting, switch off your appliance.

Decorate The lines
If painting is not your thing, you can adorn the lines with things like LED light strips or imitation flowers. To prevent shock, make sure the light strips are placed far from exposed wires.

The Lines Must Be Passed Through PVC Electric Wire Molding
Another secure technique to conceal them is to run your refrigerant line through a short PVC wire moulding or trim. This is applicable to both indoor and outdoor pipework.

To match your wall, spray paint the PVC moulding. Some of them have adhesive so you may place them neatly in the wall corners.

Can Compression Fittings Be Used With Refrigerant Lines?

To combine various lines or pipes during plumbing or electrical hookups, compression fittings are employed. Compression fittings may spring to mind if your refrigerant pipe needs to navigate corners or angles while being concealed through walls.

Compression fitting is not advised for this use, according to HVAC experts. This is due to the fact that it increases the likelihood of leaking within the closed walls, especially in regions subject to frequent temperature variations.

What Sort Of Tubing Is Used For Refrigeration Line Installation?

L-copper tubing is the ideal kind of tubing to use for building refrigeration lines. Because it is shockproof and helps prevent fire threats, unlike conventional copper wire, it is most ideal for interior plumbing.

This tube may easily join to one end of another refrigerant line because it is likewise capped. Grease-like impurities are protected from entry by the L-copper tubing. It can be used to refrigerant lines that are outside and inside walls.

When Ought Refrigeration Lines To Be Changed?

Through the refrigerant line, refrigerant is exchanged between the indoor evaporator coil and condenser. For your unit to operate as intended, they must be in good condition and working order. Every time your system is modified or updated, your refrigerant lines need to be replaced.

Because they are constructed of copper, these lines must always be kept dry to prevent corrosion. Depending on the type/formula of the refrigerant, copper lines may also react with it. It is advisable to make sure you are utilizing the proper material for the line before installation because in the event of a significant leak, your refrigerant line would need to be replaced.

How Much Does A New AC Refrigerant Line Set Cost?

A refrigerant line set must be totally replaced, which costs between $200 and $650. The size and length of the line are two criteria that affect this price. The cost of labour may also vary based on the technician you choose.

Keep in mind that this repair calls for a qualified HVAC specialist because refrigerants can be hazardous if not handled properly.

Your heater or air conditioner’s manufacturer may also provide a warranty that will pay for repairs to components like refrigerant lines. In that instance, the cost of replacement may be negligible or even nonexistent.

Conclusion

Your home’s design is preserved and kept clean by running a refrigerant line through the walls. To complete the installation safely, stick to the step-by-step process described above. Use refrigerant lines that are the appropriate length and type of material. If hiding the lines in walls is difficult, try disguising your refrigerant lines using other, simpler techniques.