How to Guide

117
HVAC Condensate Drain Lines
Exercise caution when using FlowGuard Gold
®
CPVC pipe or
fittings for HVAC- or refrigerant-condensate lines. Some re-
frigerant systems contain oils that may damage CPVC products.
In HVAC applications, some heat exchangers or condenser
coils may contain residual oils from the manufacturing process
which can cause cracking of CPVC. Caution should be exercised
when installing CPVC in combination hot/air handling units
or as condensate-drain lines from air conditioning systems.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Prior to installing PVC or CPVC piping in hydronic
applications, it is important to flush the interior of the heat
exchangers and the exterior of the evaporator coils
thoroughly with a mild ionic detergent solution to remove
incompatible oils. Failing to do so could result in system
failure and property damage.
Verify that all boiler cleaning and sealing chemicals used in
hydronic radiant heating systems are compatible with PVC
or CPVC. Failure to do so could result in system failure and
property damage.
Equipment leaks in refrigeration or HVAC systems may
release POE oils or other contaminants into the piping
system. These oils and contaminants are incompatible with
PVC or CPVC and such exposure may result in pipe or
fitting failure regardless of flushing.
Confirm the compatibility of CPVC with residual oils prior to
installation. The interior of heat exchangers or the exterior of
condenser coils may be thoroughly cleaned with a detergent
solution to remove incompatible oils prior to piping installa-
tion. A rinse with clean water to completely clean the system is
advisable as a final flushing. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry will
not accept responsibility for failure resulting from exposure
to compressor oils in HVAC- or refrigerant-condensate lines.
Thermal Expansion
Expansion Tanks do not compensate for linear expansion and
contraction of the pipe and fittings. Expansion tanks are de-
signed to compensate for the expansion of the liquids within
the system.
For information on thermal expansion please see Expansion
and Contraction in the Design and Engineering Data section
of this manual.