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macalata
 New Member
 Posts:35
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| 24 Nov 2008 09:23 PM |
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Is it normal to have lots and lots of condensation? To the point of leaving small puddles? Is it something related to the loops getting up to the right temp? |
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Palace Geothermal
 Veteran Member
 Posts:1609
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| 24 Nov 2008 09:30 PM |
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Condensation is normal and will never go away. The pipes need to be insulated to solve the problem |
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Dewayne Dean <br>www.PalaceGeothermal.com<br>Why settle for 90% when you can have 400%<br>We heat and cool with dirt!<br>visit- http://welserver.com/WEL0114/- to see my system |
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engineer
 Veteran Member
 Posts:2749
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| 24 Nov 2008 09:30 PM |
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Is it occurring outside where you still have exposed loop tubing or inside. If inside, condensation is certainly undesirable - only way to prevent it would be to insulate the lines, perhaps with Armatex, a closed cell foam rubber pipe insulation. |
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Curt Kinder <br><br>
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill <br><br><a href="http://www.greenersolutionsair.com">www.greenersolutionsair.com</a>
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macalata
 New Member
 Posts:35
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| 25 Nov 2008 09:17 AM |
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The condensation is inside. The outside loops are now covered to their proper depths. I think we have 4 tubes in the laundry room and 2 appear to be 'sweating' more than the others. Also, I noticed a few drops of condensation INSIDE the unit, on the bottom, when I was looking for the shipping clips. That rubber pipe insulation...is that something I can find at Lowe's? and is it like the foam you put on pipes so that they don't freeze? I appreciate all your all's help.....My installer is going to bring rubber/cork mats to help with the vibration. |
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Masoud
 Basic Member
 Posts:180
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| 25 Nov 2008 09:45 AM |
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Macalata: Your installer should also bring proper insulation for the pipes and cover them, unless you assumed responsibility for this part in your contract. Regards, Masoud |
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conniepangan
 Basic Member
 Posts:112
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| 25 Nov 2008 10:28 AM |
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Macalata, that was my issue before and the pro in this board said it is normal. I has to be insulated well. |
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engineer
 Veteran Member
 Posts:2749
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| 25 Nov 2008 10:45 AM |
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Masoud is correct.
I infer that Dewayne means that the condition that causes condensation is normal and unavoidable ( I agree), but that insulation can and should be installed to prevent the condensation.
Condensation occurs anytime a surface is cooler than the dewpoint of the surrounding air. Dewpoint is similar to humidity. In heating mode the lines returning water to your loop field may often be cooler than the dewpoint of the air in the house. That's OK.
Insulating the lines (with closed cell foam) isolates the cool line from the moist air. That will prevent the condensation.
Home improvement big boxes sell one or two different types of closed cell pipe insulation. I favor the more expensive Armatex / Rubatex variety. It is softer and blacker than the cheaper stiffer polyethylene variety, though either will probably do the job.
Insulating to prevent condensation is a bit more painstaking than insulating to cut heat loss. Preventing condensation requires much more attention to detail - every little gap in the insulation has to be sealed or moist air sneaks into the cool pipe and causes condensation. Insulating a straight pipe run is easy, its all the elbows, tees, valves and wall penetrations that take time to get right. Joints in the insulation should be glued.
Manufacturers do not generally insulate tubing within unit cabinet - cabinet should be fairly well sealed so minimal air gets in. A few drips of water in a cabinet is not a problem.
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Curt Kinder <br><br>
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill <br><br><a href="http://www.greenersolutionsair.com">www.greenersolutionsair.com</a>
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conniepangan
 Basic Member
 Posts:112
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| 25 Nov 2008 12:06 PM |
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Engineer, do you think it will help the condensation if i place a dehumidifier next to the pipes? just a thought. I have a nice wood floor in the basement and I am avoiding ruining it with this problem. |
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engineer
 Veteran Member
 Posts:2749
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| 25 Nov 2008 04:31 PM |
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Possibly, but at considerable expense. Portable dehumidifiers use a substantial amount of power, 500+ Watts, and still may not dehumidify the air sufficiently to get its dewpoint down below your loop pipe temperature.
Then there's the noise, draining the tank, etc.
Easiest would be to have the lines properly insulated - the installer owes you that, IMO. |
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Curt Kinder <br><br>
The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill <br><br><a href="http://www.greenersolutionsair.com">www.greenersolutionsair.com</a>
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