Will I Gain by Wrapping my Lines and Hoses in Foam?
Many people think that you can
improve performance by insulating cold refrigerant lines from engine
heat. Some design engineers may even use insulation for this purpose.
Hose insulation is primarily used for two reasons. It is used to reduce noise or control condensation.
Insulation can protect hoses, reduce noise and control condensation, but, it will not improve performance of an a/c system by more than a fraction of a degree. In fact, the only area that really needs to be insulated in regards to performance is the sensing bulb at the evaporator outlet of the TXV is used separate the high and low pressure side of the refrigerant system. Mainly used on import and aftermarket systems. The expansion valve can sense both temperature and pressure, and is very effici…">thermal expansion valve system. The bulb needs to be insulated from ambient air so it will only sense evaporator outlet pipe temperature.
Hose insulation is primarily used for two reasons. It is used to reduce noise or control condensation.
Insulation can protect hoses, reduce noise and control condensation, but, it will not improve performance of an a/c system by more than a fraction of a degree. In fact, the only area that really needs to be insulated in regards to performance is the sensing bulb at the evaporator outlet of the TXV is used separate the high and low pressure side of the refrigerant system. Mainly used on import and aftermarket systems. The expansion valve can sense both temperature and pressure, and is very effici…">thermal expansion valve system. The bulb needs to be insulated from ambient air so it will only sense evaporator outlet pipe temperature.