HVAC claims are often complex, but a leak in the refrigerant circuit can create a whole new level of difficulty. Most HVAC systems provide air conditioning through the use of refrigerant. This chemical compound produces cooling when expanding or vaporizing. The refrigerant is pumped through copper tubing by a compressor and moves through a condenser coil, a metering device and an evaporator coil. If refrigerant leaks from any of these components, the cooling capacity will suffer and eventually cease to function altogether.
Because these leaks can prevent your insured’s HVAC system from cooling, understanding why this happens, how to test for leaks, and how they can be repaired is important for handling claims during warmer months.
The global heat pump market has grown dramatically due to recent tax credit incentives and for being an energy-efficient heating and cooling option. Heat pump split systems are one of the most common HVAC types that may come across your desk, but they can be difficult to differentiate from traditional split systems as at first glance they can look nearly identical. However, heat pumps contain several unique components, making them a particularly effective heating and cooling alternative but also potentially more expensive to repair and maintain than other system types. To help adjusters sort out the differences and handle heat pump claims with ease, download our Heat Pump Basics Guide that highlights how you can easily identify their components along with other essential information
For an even more detailed breakdown of heat pump components and how these systems work, download our labeled heat pump glossary.
Despite being one of the oldest forms of air conditioning, evaporative coolers are less common than refrigeration based HVAC systems but are still prevalent throughout drier climates (particularly the Western half of the United States). These systems rely on dry ambient air in order to absorb moisture and effectively create cooling, thus evaporative coolers most effectively operate in areas where the relative humidity does not surpass 60%. Evaporative coolers not only systematically operate differently than other traditional system types, but also have specific considerations that adjusters must keep in mind when handling these claims. Our Evaporative Cooler Claim Guide reviews the features that make these systems unique and illustrates what adjusters need to know to settle these types of claims accurately.
Evaporative coolers are a popular alternative to traditional refrigerant-based air conditioning units in regions with hot, dry climates. While they are not seen as frequently as traditional split systems and package units, adjusters should still make themselves familiar with this type of equipment, particularly if they handle claims in regions that are ideal for evaporative coolers.
What Is Evaporative Cooling?
Before we get into how evaporative coolers work, it is important to understand the principles behind evaporative cooling. The evaporative cooling process begins with the evaporation of water (or other liquid) into the surrounding air. When the liquid turns to a gas, it absorbs heat, thereby reducing the temperature of the surrounding air.
The concept of evaporative cooling has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used this process to provide cooling by soaking fabric in water and hanging it across the door to the home. As the air passed through the fabric, it absorbed moisture and created a cool breeze in the space (How Stuff Works).
How Do Evaporative Coolers Work?
Evaporative coolers harness this process to provide cooling to a space. Residential properties typically utilize a direct evaporative cooler. In this type of system, a pump circulates water from a reservoir to saturate a cooling pad. A fan then pulls air from the outside through the wet pad, initiating the evaporation process. The cool, humid air is then distributed to the home.
There are three common types of direct residential evaporative coolers:
Portable Coolers – These are designed to cool a small living area. They do not require professional installation or ductwork. Some even come with wheels to make them easy to move from room to room.
Side Draft – These systems are installed so that the air blows from the side of the unit directly into the home. This type of evaporative cooler is installed either in the window or through the wall. These may require professional installation, but no ductwork. They will only be able to efficiently cool one room; however, they can provide cooling for a larger room or area than a portable cooler would.
Down Draft – These units are installed on the roof of a home and can provide cooling to the whole home through the use of a duct system. These are the most expensive to install and can be difficult to maintain.
Where Are Evaporative Coolers Effective?
To effectively use the evaporation process to create cooling, the air must be dry enough to absorb the moisture. Evaporative coolers are only consistently effective in areas where the relative humidity does not reach over 60%. Once the relative humidity reaches 60%, evaporative coolers can, at best, only lower the temperature by 10 degrees. Even in dry climates, when it does rain the humidity will rise. An evaporative cooler should not be used during these periods of high humidity.
Differences Between Evaporative Coolers and Traditional Air Conditioning Systems
Traditional air conditioning systems use a coil filled with refrigerant to transfer heat, provide cooling, and remove humidity from a conditioned space. This type of cooling system is a closed process, where the air from the room is cycled back through the cooling process. Allowing air to escape from the conditioned space will reduce the efficiency of the system.
Instead of using refrigerant, an evaporative cooler uses a pump to circulate water to the pads and a fan to pull air through the pads. This adds moisture to dry air and therefore requires the space to be ventilated so the moist air has a way out. Evaporative coolers do not always use ductwork to direct the airflow, but when they do, the ducts must be larger than traditional air conditioners to account for greater flow of air from the evaporative cooler.
Common Evaporative Cooler Issues
Evaporative coolers require frequent maintenance. The cooling pads need regular cleaning or replacement to avoid air quality issues and odors. This should be done as often as once per month when the evaporative cooler has been running constantly. Additionally, sediment and minerals can build up inside of the cooler. These need to be drained and cleaned at least once per season to keep the system working year after year. These tasks can become tedious, particularly when the system is mounted on the roof.
The pads for this evaporative cooler had not been cleaned in so long that the build up has reached the pad’s guards
Evaporative Cooler Claim Considerations
The regions that are best for evaporative coolers tend to have a high propensity for hailstorms. Because evaporative coolers are often located on the roof, they are frequently included in a hail claim. Unlike condensing units, these systems do not have a coil that can be easily damaged by hail. Often, the unit shows no signs of damage from a hailstorm. However, large hailstones can dent the metal panels of the unit. While this does not generally affect the system’s operation, it still must be considered to sufficiently return the insured’s system to pre-loss condition. Luckily, these panels can typically be replaced as opposed to replacing the entire unit.
Hail broke through the top panel of this evaporative cooler, the top panels required replacement to return the insured to pre-loss condition
Additionally, compared to a standard HVAC system, an evaporative cooler has much fewer electrical components that could be damaged by an electrical event. Frequently, the evaporative cooler is activated by a simple variable-speed switch, therefore there are often no integrated circuit boards in the system. While the pump and electrical blower motor can still be damaged by a surge event, these occurrences are much less frequent than electrical damage to refrigerant-based systems.
While evaporative coolers are not as popular as the more traditional HVAC systems, adjusters (particularly those who handle claims in the western half of the country) should know what to look for when handling this type of unit on a claim. For more information on evaporative coolers, get your free adjuster guide here.
Year after year, lightning is consistently the most frequently claimed peril for HVAC systems in homeowner’s claims, and it is also the most often misdiagnosed cause of loss, according to the HVACi 2022 Annual Claims Report. One symptom that is regularly misinterpreted as lightning damage is acidic refrigerant in the system.
Contrary to popular belief among contractors, it is not possible for lightning to cause acid in the refrigerant circuit of an HVAC system. Instead, this symptom is caused by one of three conditions: wear and tear, improper repairs, or a lack of system maintenance. Because this common misconception is often cited as an indicator of lightning damage, it is important for adjusters to understand why this is not the case.
The oil from a compressor was drained during destructive testing and tested positive for acid
What Causes Acidic Refrigerant
When the refrigerant circuit is subjected to moisture, excessive heat, contaminants, or other impurities, it leads to a chemical reaction that creates acid. This condition is brought about by age (ordinary wear and tear), a lack of maintenance, or an improper system repair. As a system ages, leaks can develop in the copper coils that contain the refrigerant, providing an point of entry for outside contaminants. Additionally, the compressor’s components can break down due to age, introducing impurities into the refrigerant. Once contaminants or moisture enter the refrigerant loop, the resulting chemical reaction will create acid. Acidic refrigerant can also occur when the system overheats due to a clogged coil or a failed condenser fan. Excessive heat caused by this lack of airflow can accelerate the creation of acid within the refrigerant. Finally, when a compressor burns out because of the presence of acidic refrigerant and is ultimately replaced (but the lineset is not properly flushed or a new filter drier is not installed) acid may be reintroduced into the new compressor, leading to another burnout.
A clogged coil can lead to elevated temperatures and accelerate the creation of acid
Organic vs. Inorganic Refrigerant Acids
Depending on the type of chemical reaction, the acid generated will be either organic or inorganic in nature. The type of refrigerant, oil composition, and the type of contaminant all influence this reaction. While both types of acids are destructive to compressors, the types of damage they cause are very different.
One factor in determining the composition of the acid produced is the combination of refrigerant and oil. Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) systems, such as those that contain the refrigerant R-22, typically use mineral oil to lubricate the systems. When moisture or contaminants enter these systems, the refrigerant breaks down, because the natural lubricating oil is more stable than its accompanying refrigerant. This results in the creation of an inorganic acid. Such acids result in abnormally high temperatures in the motor windings and/or discharge area of the compressor. These high temperatures break down the windings and lead to the loss of electrical resistance of the compressor, or a compressor burnout.
The above compressor motor windings were damaged by compressor burnout due to acidic refrigerant
Conversely, R-410a and other hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) systems use a polyolester (POE) lubricating oil, which has a very different chemical structure from HCFC/mineral oil systems. While the refrigerant itself is more stable, the oil composition is less stable and can break down easily in the presence of moisture, air, or high temperatures. When POE oils (as opposed to the refrigerant) break down, the resulting chemical reaction leads to the formation of organic acids rather than inorganic acids. Instead of leading to compressor burnout, organic acids typically create a sludge that can clog small valves or cause the oil to lose its ability to properly lubricate the compressor. When this occurs, the compressor will seize.
This system tested positive for acidic refrigerant
Regardless of composition, HFC (R410a) and HCFC (R22) systems still run the risk of developing inorganic acids that can burn out the compressor. This can occur when contaminants and impurities (those not moisture, air, or excessive heat) enter the refrigerant system. If contaminants (such as metals from the degeneration of the compressor) enter the system, an inorganic acid will form, leading to compressor burnout.
What does this mean for adjusters?
As an adjuster, you should always be on the lookout for any clues that a claim may need further investigation. It is critical that you understand what signs could be “red flags” when reviewing claims for complex equipment such as HVAC systems. A contractor’s attestation that points to acidic refrigerant as an indicator that a system has been damaged by lightning should always prompt a deeper discussion.
If you have a claim involving lightning damage to HVAC equipment, and you want to ensure an accurate settlement, you can submit your new claim here.
