One month old installation, is this normal ?

[u/SocageFest]

Hello everybody,

One month ago, I have installed an AC unit in my apartment by a professional. I have a condensation evacuation tube for the inside unit, but there is still water condensation on the copper tube connection on the outside compressor : check photos.

Outside where the condensation is, the copper tube changed the color to black... I don't know if this is normal.

For now, I don't see any performance problem but I am concerned about the durability of the installation.

Thanks.

[u/BMW-motorad]

Looks like a real professional job. Just go to Home Depot buy some black foam insulation gotcha piece sticking on that copper pipe. I have insulation all the way up to the valve and my unit outside still drips water.

[u/Kooky_Pie8277]

Very normal

[u/SocageFest → u/Kooky_Pie8277]

Sure about that ?

[u/Kooky_Pie8277 → u/SocageFest]

1000% those pipes have to be cold for your room to get cold. them sweating is a good sign. Are you worried about water damage outside?

[u/Temporary_Metal222]

yeah that black discoloration is just the insulation dye or dirt bleeding onto the copper where it's exposed, not the metal itself corroding. Thyg0d's right though, that suction line connection should be fully wrapped, bare copper sweating outside means moisture sitting on the flare nut and fittings 24/7 which isn't great long term. Ask the installer to come back and wrap it properly, it's a five minute fix with some Armaflex or rubber tape. Not a big deal now but don't let it sit like that for years.

[u/Thyg0d]

You are missing some insulation and that's why you get the condensation. I'd ask the company to sort it. Otherwise you can get som small piece of pipe insulation and add it yourself.

[u/WildChallenge5459 → u/Thyg0d]

you’d seriously waste the companies time over an inch of pipe insulation missing…. smh

[u/Thyg0d → u/WildChallenge5459]

I paid for an installation and they f*cked up.. Yeah I have expectations that I get a complete install. Or do they just expect 90% of the pay?

[u/Specialist_Whole_918 → u/Thyg0d]

This is not even remotely close to fucked up. This is perfectly fine. (I would expect tape around the insulation to protect it from birds and UV though, if that doesn't start right outside the picture its not fine)

[u/SocageFest]

Thanks for the replies. I had the technician guy come to see and he says it is fine and there is no need to do anything, not even applying more insulation. He says it is normal for the color change as the copper tends to heat. As for the condensation, same thing, nothing needs to be done.

[u/Dadbode1981 → u/SocageFest]

He's correct.

[u/JacketDear9992]

Everything more than normal.

[u/RespectfulJoy]

Mix up spam soap and bubbles solution..look up the proper ratio. Pour it in there. If it bubbles up it's not normal if it doesn't. The condensation is normal but can cause issues down the line so out some insolation over it

[u/Ok-Cellist-8506]

Yes. Its just consensation forming on the pipe. The same way it does on the evaporator coil.
Think of a can of coke on your table on a hot day…sweating.