The Importance of Brazing with Nitrogen

When considering a new air conditioning system or heat pump in your Fountain Hills, home, it is natural to focus on energy efficiency, cost, warranties, and product features.
However, an essential detail you do not want to overlook involves nitrogen purging while brazing refrigerant lines during installation. This step plays a significant role in the longevity and efficiency of your new AC or heat pump.
Professional Brazing with Nitrogen
If you are searching for a reliable, professional HVAC contractor in the East Valley with brazing experience, look no further than Mason Pro Services.
We are committed to ensuring your AC or heat pump is ready for success by always following industry standards. We have installed hundreds of air conditioners and heat pumps in Maricopa County and always include this essential step in the installation process.
What is Brazing?
Brazing is a common technique for joining metal pipes, such as copper refrigerant lines, in air conditioning and heat pump systems. It uses heat from a torch and a filler metal to create a strong bond between the pieces. This step ensures the refrigerant pipes are correctly connected and sealed.
During brazing, the technician uses a flame to heat the copper pipes. The heat causes the filler metal to melt and bond the pipes together. This process is essential for a durable connection but also creates an oxide byproduct that can cause problems for your HVAC system.
The Dangers of Oxide Buildup
When copper heats during brazing, it reacts with oxygen in the air to create an oxide scale inside the pipes. The oxide can flake off in small particles, and when the refrigerant is added to the system, the particles can travel through the pipes.
These particles may reach sensitive components within your air conditioning unit or heat pump, causing damage and reduced performance.
Over time, this can result in clogs, equipment failures, and a shortened lifespan for your system. Simply put, this oxide damage is costly to repair and can cause major headaches. That is why it is crucial to take proactive steps to avoid it.
Nitrogen Purging is Preventative
Nitrogen purging is the best way to prevent oxide from forming during brazing. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen inside the pipes, avoiding oxide formation.
Here’s how it works:
- Our Mason Pro Services technicians flow nitrogen through the lines as they braze, ensuring no oxygen is present to interact with the copper and create oxide.
- When the brazing process is complete and the lines are debris-free, we can safely add refrigerant to the system, knowing everything is clean and ready to go.
The Cost of Skipping Nitrogen Purging
Skipping nitrogen purging during brazing may seem like a small detail, but it can lead to significant problems later on. Without this step, the oxide particles left inside the pipes can end up in the refrigerant, causing clogs and damaging important system components.
Repairing this kind of damage can be expensive, requiring refrigerant removal, cleaning or replacing parts, and recharging the system.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), around three million HVAC systems are replaced every year in the United States, and billions are spent annually on repairs and other services. If you are among the millions of households installing new AC this year, be sure the installation includes nitrogen purging and brazing. You may avoid costly repairs down the road.
Prioritizing Your System’s Longevity
At Mason Pro Services, we take pride in following industry best practices and ensuring your HVAC system is ready for optimal performance.
As a trusted HVAC company serving Greater Phoenix, our licensed and certified technicians always include nitrogen purging when brazing the refrigerant lines.
We believe in doing the job right the first time so you can enjoy a comfortable home without worrying about potential issues down the road.
We understand that HVAC systems are a significant investment, and we want to help you protect that investment. When we give you an installation estimate, we will always include nitrogen purging as part of the process.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
When you select Mason Pro Services for heat pump or air conditioner installation, you can confidently enjoy the new system in your Fountain Hills, home. At Mason Pro Services, we are committed to high-quality installations that meet or exceed local and state building codes. We take care of every detail. Call us at 602-259-6542 or request service online.