Copper AC – Durable and Reliable
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems rely on bringing a lot of different materials together. There is an intricate mix of machinery and ducts that keep your home or business comfortable. One of the critical elements of an HVAC system is the refrigerant. This liquid chemical serves to help transfer hot and cold air through the air conditioner. Copper pipes carry this crucial element through the HVAC system. Copper is the metal of choice when it comes to this important part of an air conditioning unit, and for good reason. Copper pipes are corrosion resistant, can handle high-pressure refrigerants, and are easy to maintain. There are several reasons copper is the long-standing choice when it comes to making sure your air conditioner keeps you comfortable.
Copper has played a key role in market drivers like climate change mitigation, product efficiency, and design improvements that have expanded the HVAC market and present an opportunity for continued growth. Meanwhile, emerging markets present further opportunities for market expansion. The HVAC(R) market comprises a variety of product types used in both residential and commercial applications, from room air conditioners and large commercial systems to commercial and industrial refrigeration. Altogether, these systems make up a $140 billion market globally that has grown by 55.5% over the last 12 years, according to a study conducted by International Copper Association. Room air conditioners make up the majority of the units sold, and they also form one of the largest sectors for copper usage. Globally, the market for room air conditioners requires annually about 1.04 million tons of copper, compared with 430,000 tons for refrigeration products and 220,000 tons for chillers. Copper is also a preferred material for connecting pipes of split AC system as it offers ease of installation as well. Easy to work with, yet extremely durable once installed, copper pipes are a perfect choice. A copper pipe is, “so ductile that it can be formed—frequently right on the job site—to fit most design configurations.” The material is also versatile enough that it can be used in a wide variety of jobs, from
small residential or single-building needs to large scale complexes.
By nature, copper is not a very reactive material. This is incredibly beneficial for pipework that needs to carry refrigerant for years, without any risk of erosion or damage that could negatively affect the HVAC system. Chemists rank the reactivity of different metals on the reactivity series. It is a guide to which metals might react to different things like water and acid. Copper ranks with metals like gold and platinum, which have a very low reactivity ranking. Having natural protection against corrosion is a great advantage and part of what makes copper a long-lasting standard for HVAC system construction.
Even better, copper is also resistant to mold and mildew, which can cause nasty-smelling odors in air conditioning units. Copper has a natural advantage over other building materials. Most HVAC systems are placed in tightly-built spaces, creating moist environments that encourage the growth of mold and mildew. Copper has antimicrobial properties that discourage the presence of nasty, possibly damaging, fungus from building up in hard-to-access areas.
Copper is a natural choice for providing air comfort in the home and commercial spaces. Current technologies built on long-standing traditions have made copper pipes lightweight, cost-efficient, and readily accessible to everyone involved in the manufacture and installation of HVAC systems.
The HVAC market will continue to adapt to climate change mitigation and efficiency demands. At the same time, growing populations in emerging markets will likely demand more air conditioning units. These trends are expected to have a significant impact on the market and, as we’ve seen, copper will continue to have a big role to play.