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author imageMark VenderNewsRegulations

Government survey on pair coil issues

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is conducting a survey to investigate issues with pair coil. There have been reports of ant nesting and corrosion problems with pair coils, resulting in the leaking of refrigerant. DCCEEW notes that under consumer guarantee law this issue could be costing businesses time and…

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is conducting a survey to investigate issues with pair coil.

There have been reports of ant nesting and corrosion problems with pair coils, resulting in the leaking of refrigerant.

DCCEEW notes that under consumer guarantee law this issue could be costing businesses time and money to rectify complications associated with leaking pair coils.

“In addition, leaked refrigerant gases can impact the upper atmosphere for up to 30 years,” says DCCEEW. “These emissions have a negative impact on the environment and human health.”

Potential factors related to pair coil issues may include environmental factors, changes to installation practices, and possible design differences between air conditioning systems.

The department’s recently established Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Steering Committee is seeking to support industry to identify whether there is an issue with pair coils via a survey. The survey asks professionals in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector to provide information on the circumstances of any pair coil issues encountered.

To complete the survey, click here.

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Comments

  1. BILL TREBY

    The photo indicates a poor installation. Unstablised PVC should not be exposed to direct sunlight/UV
    The copper will be exposed to Chlorine, water and other chemicals in the insulation when in heat pump mode accelerating any corrosion.
    Not surprised there are leaks. Start Looking for the cause of copper corrosion, not the symptoms.

    Reply
    1. Bill Skuthorp

      Agree wholeheartedly with this comment. This is a maintenance issue however pir coil does need to improve in insulating the pipe work and prevention of moisture around copper pipe work that makes this corrosive solution.
      The installation practices here are not acceptable and most likely installed by install technicians that have not done an apprenticeship or full training. The acceptance of other trades to cross skill into parts of the Airconditioning industry need to be tightened to prevent these and other installation practices that cause this action.
      We did an apprenticeship for a reason, installers can’t replicate that training within a month of night school to become a licenced installer.
      Just as airconditioning technicians who have completed a full apprenticeship in Airconditioning and refrigeration can’t become licensed electricians or plumbers without undertaking a full apprenticeship.
      It is time for AIRAH , TAFE and the industry through Arctik to stop this from happening to airconditioning installations.
      GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION IS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.

      Reply
  2. Antony Blake

    HI there we have Had over 10 cases of this and usually just over a year. all were supplied from the same supplier. and they want nothing to do with it. Does copper not have a life span.

    Reply
    1. Daniel

      Hi please reach out to me as iv 10 of these aswell on past year
      What brand copper and where abouts are you from? I think I know the characteristics of the jobs it’s coming from

      Reply
    2. Steve D

      We have had the exact situation with at least 10 installs. All leaks are on liquid line and not related at all to poor installation practices! We are looking to take this further with the massive losses experienced. I suspect poor quality copper imported through Covid. Would be keen to get your details to swap notes on the supplier feed back you have had. They keep telling me there is only a handful of cases through Australia but my fear is that so many companies are yet to find their failed copper runs.

      Reply
  3. antony Blake

    Daniel NOt sure I checked with the office what you best contact

    Reply
    1. Daniel

      Hi mate just saw this contact me 0402586124

      Reply
  4. Sal

    .As an installer, poor-quality copper pipes have developed leaks within a year. No one, including big suppliers and ARC, is taking responsibility. Seeking a prompt solution from the Australia Refrigeration Council

    Reply
  5. Ryan

    Hello guys same issue here 5 cases normally 12 months old or just over liquid line (3/8-5/8 pair coil) . I have had this from two major suppliers in Melbourne, three of the fails coils are from one supplier and the other two are from another supplier. This IS a massive issue the issue occurs always in the same spot (bend at rear of outdoor unit). If anyone else would like to have a chat about it please reach out….

    Reply
    1. Daniel

      Hi I would like to have a chat about this contact me 0402586124

      Reply
  6. Kirsty

    Hi Guys,
    Just reading the comments, we’ve just had our first issue with this yesterday, install was done 4.5 years ago. Copper split. Daikin tech went out to inspect the unit and phoned. Apparently he has seen this happening very frequently. His opinion not due to poor installation but the quality of pair coil. Mentioned that there’s a class action, not sure who against. Trying to find more information about it.

    Reply
  7. Jamie Pennett

    We have had 5 cases, all just after a year of installation. mainly 3/8 5/8 and 1/4 3/8 in WA. A have contacted consumer protection and they have advised to make recoup costs through our wholesaler and if they wont come to the party to make a complaint against them.
    The wholesaler has said they will give us free pair coil which I refuse to take as will just end up with the same issues again and will be making a formal complaint if I hear nothing back from them tomorrow. They in turn can do the same with the Manufacturer to recoup any losses on their side. .

    Reply
    1. Anthony

      I have had 16 cases in the last 2 years, mainly in ducted units and generally about a year after installation.
      My wholesaler tells me I’m the only customer at his store that is having this issue.
      I no longer use white insulated pair coil because of this. It has cost thousands to rectify and no one has any answers or accepts liability for this.
      I replaced a ducted unit which had been pre piped in the wall cavity. Joined new pipe to it and slid the new white insulation over the existing copper pipe along with the new pipe. 12 months later pinholes on the liquid line and green corrosion. The insulation had also affected the old p up or where it was slid up to. The insulation was also like jelly. For mine I believe it is the insulation causing the issue as there was possibly something they couldn’t get through covid so they substituted with something else.,

      Reply
  8. John

    Not sure what to look for as there’s no clear information. Does it leak from micro-holes through corrosion or does it split?
    – We’ve been attending a lot of re-gasses, but the nitro pressure holds perfectly for 60min in the pipes; so they seem okay?
    – Stem valve seals and Schrader valve service ports seem to leak a lot lately.
    – I agree that non-UV stabilised line insulation is unacceptable in the industry with the final length running outdoors in the sun.
    BUT is the copper pipe porous or split???

    Reply
  9. Cory

    Hey guys, we have been dealing with this since 2020, we have meetings with ARTICK and the federal minister for environment’s office. We have had well over 50 cases now and still going. Our insurance company is now picking up the bill and hopefully they will take it up with the supplier who wanted nothing to do with it. We have been asked to report every case to ARTICK, which we have, but nothing will happened they are all just hoping it goes away and the installers will just fix the issues.

    Reply
  10. Nik Foster

    Is anyone sealing the outdoor ends of their pair coil with silicone? This will created a moisture / chemical barrier so air can not get to the copper pipe? Common practice in some countries and logical

    Reply

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