Debunking 'frozen refrigerant' & other HVAC myths after the Texas freeze
Refrigerant’s freezing point is well below temperatures seen in Antarctica and unlikely to cause systems in Texas to fail.
Insured losses from Winter Storm Uri are expected to exceed $10 billion; however, adjusters shouldn’t assume resulting property claims with HVAC systems are all related to the unusual weather events that overwhelmed Texas and caused catastrophic damages in mid-February.
HVAC and refrigeration damage assessment companies have completed thousands of equipment evaluations for HVAC systems in Texas that all began to fail around then. While many have signs of damage or aren’t functioning as designed, comprehensive testing based on engineering best practices has led to cause of loss determinations that differ from what many insureds – and their contractors – expect them to be. Before settling another claim where an insured has stated their system failed because of freezing conditions or frozen refrigerant, insurance professionals should better understand why that may not be accurate and requires verification.
Know the freezing point of refrigerant
Refrigerant is the lifeline of most HVAC systems. It’s used to absorb heat during the process to condition air to be a more desirable temperature in a home or business. Refrigerant comes in synthetic forms, including chlorofluorocarbons or hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and natural forms, such as hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. Among the elements used in many of these are carbon, fluorine, hydrogen and chlorine. Consequently, refrigerant’s freezing point is well below that of an unexpected winter storm in Texas – or Antarctica.
Earth’s coldest temperature ever recorded was -136 degrees Fahrenheit on the East Antarctic Plateau on Aug. 10, 2010. Yet even in these conditions, the most frequently used refrigerant in HVAC systems wouldn’t freeze there.
A widely used refrigerant, R-22 has a freezing point of -256 degrees Fahrenheit at the atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psia (pounds per square inch absolute). Another extensively used refrigerant is R-410A, which has a freezing point of -247 degrees Fahrenheit.
It’s evident that freezing temperatures in Texas, or elsewhere in the United States, don’t cause refrigerants to freeze, expand copper tubing and leak out. These kinds of failures are more likely to stem from wear and tear and occur over time.
Consider the HVAC system’s Delta T
Reports state Winter Storm Uri could become the costliest winter weather event in Texas history. Freezing conditions are so atypical of the area that not everything is designed for them, including HVAC systems.
Heat pumps work best in temperate climates, and policyholders in Southern states may prefer them. However, extreme heat or cold can be problematic for these systems.
Heat pumps primarily rely on compressed refrigerant and then electric heat strips. Calculating an HVAC system’s Delta T, the difference between the return air temperature and supply air temperature, determines the temperature split a system can produce. Heat pumps typically are capable of a 20- to 30-degree temperature split – i.e., if it’s 40 degrees outside, the HVAC heat pump has little trouble maintaining a 70-degree indoor temperature.
The temperatures in Dallas, Texas, from Feb. 14-17 never went above freezing – ranging from 14-29 degrees Fahrenheit. Policyholders trying to keep their homes and businesses heated may have caused the Delta T to be larger than a heat pump is designed for, which could have put excessive strain on the system.
Heat pumps have a lifespan of 15 years under typical circumstances. To make up for the larger Delta T, they would have run longer without their required downtime that ensures longevity. Freezing conditions caused heat pumps to work harder, but the resulting overheating and failures would have directly come from the intensified wear and tear, particularly if signs of usage damage were already present. An expert assessment will confirm whether the damage was a repercussion of overuse and not freezing conditions.
Distinguish wear and tear, high voltage surge and freezing
Freezing and high voltage surge were frequently claimed perils after the winter storm, but definitive testing would verify them as a cause of loss.
A heat pump’s electrical components, refrigerants, and motors aren’t affected by colder temperatures and wouldn’t be physically harmed. Prolonged operation causes wear and tear to compressors and heat strips, but motors within the heat pump system, including the fan motor and blower motor, can handle it. On the other hand, failures to commercial boilers and chiller water coils, as well as residential water heaters, were prevalent due to the freezing conditions in Texas.
Power outages were widespread after the Texas storm, and high voltage surges could have impacted HVAC systems once electricity was restored. High voltage surge was the cause of loss for 11% of HVAC systems assessed last year, according to the CCG IQ 2020 Annual Report. Equipment testing would prove if a surge caused the damage, which would be more limited to electrical components.
Another critical aspect to consider is how much of the system sustained damage. When freezing or high voltage surge is the direct cause of loss, HVAC damage is more widespread and could require major repairs or replacements. However, when these perils are indirect causes, the damage is typically limited to single-component failures that may only need a repair to return the policyholder to pre-loss condition.
Catastrophe claims vary in size and severity, but they are also an area where carriers may be at risk for claims leakage. Don’t let myths and misunderstandings inhibit efforts to only settle claims with equipment damaged by covered perils.
Jay Dykstra is the technical education manager for HVACi and StrikeCheck. He is responsible for the development, presentation, and curation of technical education content for adjusters and insurance claims professionals. Reprinted with permission from HVACi.
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