TryBuildCalc

Long Line Set Calculator (Long-Run Capacity & Charge Impact)

Calculate your long line set's capacity impact instantly.

Inputs

ℹ️The AC/heat pump/mini-split system's rated capacity — drives both the capacity-derating and refrigerant-charge calculations.

ℹ️Air conditioner or heat pump — changes the elevation limit above the indoor unit and whether a liquid line solenoid or accumulator applies.

ℹ️Check your outdoor unit's nameplate. Sets the max line length Goodman/Amana supports — single-stage scroll/reciprocating allows the longest runs.

ℹ️The line set's larger (vapor/suction) line — must match your equipment's actual spec, not a free choice. Options shown are limited to what's sourced for the selected capacity.

ft

ℹ️The actual physical distance the line set runs, not accounting for elbows — used directly for the refrigerant charge calculation.

count

ℹ️Number of 90-degree (long-radius) bends in the line set — each adds equivalent length beyond the straight distance.

count

ℹ️Number of 45-degree bends in the line set — adds less equivalent length per bend than a 90-degree elbow.

ft

ℹ️Height difference between the outdoor and indoor units — affects whether an oil trap is required or a manufacturer elevation limit is exceeded.

ℹ️"Same Level" applies only up to 10 ft of separation. Elevation limits are asymmetric by direction and equipment type — see the flags below the results.

Total Equivalent Length

209 ft

200 ft straight + 5 × 90° and 2 × 45° elbows

System

Type: Air Conditioner

Compressor: Single-Stage — Scroll or Reciprocating Compressor

Capacity: 3 Ton (36,000 BTU/hr)

Suction line: 3/4 in

Liquid line: 3/8 in

Line Set Routing

Straight length: 200 ft (max 200 ft)

90° elbows: 5

45° elbows: 2

Equivalent length: 209 ft (max 250 ft)

Capacity Impact

Capacity multiplier: 0.966

Rated capacity: 36,000 BTU/hr

Derated capacity: 34,776 BTU/hr

~1,224 BTU/hr lost to line-length pressure drop.

Refrigerant Charge

Additional charge needed: 124 oz

Beyond the 15 ft factory-charge baseline, R-410A only.

Elevation & Installation

Outdoor unit position: Same level

Elevation difference: 0 ft

Within Goodman/Amana limits: Yes

Refrigerant Line Set Estimate3 Ton (36,000 BTU/hr)system — liquid & suction line routingLiquid line (3/8in)Suction lineOutdoor UnitIndoor Unit209 ftTotal equivalent length3/4 in7 elbowsNo elevation differenceIllustrative — not to scale. Planning estimate only.

Looking for the verification checklist, reference tables, tips, or common mistakes?See the complete Refrigerant Line Set Calculator.

Long refrigerant line set capacity and charge impact

Long line sets (well beyond a short, standard residential run) genuinely cost real system capacity — the exact amount depends on suction diameter and total equivalent length, not a flat percentage.

This page defaults to a 3 ton, single-stage scroll/reciprocating system with 200 ft of straight line, 5 elbows, and 3/4in suction — edit the inputs above to match your actual routing.

Refrigerant Line Set Formula: How Is It Determined?

Total equivalent length comes from straight length plus elbow losses. Capacity impact and refrigerant charge are both looked up/computed from that length and your selected system capacity and suction diameter. See Limitations for what this doesn't model.

Total Equivalent Length

Equivalent Length (ft) = ceil(Straight Length + 90° Elbows x Loss(90°) + 45° Elbows x Loss(45°))

Per-elbow equivalent-length values (Goodman TP-107 Table 5-1) are specific to LONG-RADIUS fittings and vary by suction line diameter — e.g. a 90° long-radius elbow adds 1.5 ft at 3/4in, 1.7 ft at 7/8in. A required minimum, rounded UP. Short-radius elbows (not modeled separately) add somewhat more per elbow than long-radius — see Limitations.

Capacity Impact

Capacity Multiplier = lookup(System Capacity, Suction Diameter, Equivalent Length)

Derated Capacity (BTU/hr) = System Capacity x Capacity Multiplier

The capacity multiplier is looked up directly from Goodman TP-107's own published table (capacity x suction diameter x equivalent length, 25-250 ft in 25 ft steps), linearly interpolated between the two nearest documented length columns and clamped at the table's own boundaries. A longer equivalent length or a smaller suction diameter both increase pressure drop, which is what actually costs the system rated capacity.

Additional Refrigerant Charge

Additional Refrigerant (oz) = max(0, Straight Length − 15 ft) x Rate(Suction Diameter)

Uses ACTUAL straight length, not equivalent length — refrigerant volume depends on the real physical tubing installed, not the pressure-drop-equivalent figure used for capacity derating. R-410A residential outdoor units are factory-charged for the first 15 ft of line set (Goodman TP-107); the per-foot rate beyond that baseline is specific to the 3/8in liquid line paired with your selected suction diameter (Table 5-5), ranging 0.60-0.78 oz/ft.

Worked Example

This example walks through your current inputs above, using the same steps as the Formula section.

Input Values Used

InputValue
System capacity3 Ton (36,000 BTU/hr)
Suction line diameter3/4 in
Straight length / elbows200 ft / 5× 90°, 2× 45°
Elevation / outdoor position0 ft / Same level

Step 1 — Total Equivalent Length

CalculationResult
Elbow loss at 3/4 in (Table 5-1, long-radius)1.5 ft per 90°, 0.7 ft per 45°
Equivalent length = ceil(200 + 5 × 1.5 + 2 × 0.7)209 ft

Step 2 — Capacity Multiplier (Goodman TP-107 Table 5-3)

CalculationResult
209 ft falls between the documented 200 ft (0.97) and 225 ft (0.96) columns for 3 Ton/3/4 in — linearly interpolated0.966
Capacity multiplier0.966

Step 3 — Derated Capacity

CalculationResult
Derated capacity = 36,000 × 0.96634,776 BTU/hr
Capacity lost to line length1,224 BTU/hr

Step 4 — Additional Refrigerant Charge

CalculationResult
Billable length = max(0, 20015 ft factory baseline)185 ft
Additional refrigerant = 185 ft × 0.67 oz/ft (3/4 in rate, Table 5-5)124 oz

Step 5 — Length & Elevation Checks

CheckResult
209 ft equivalent vs 250 ft max, 200 ft linear vs 200 ft max (Single-Stage — Scroll or Reciprocating Compressor)Within limits
0 ft vs 10 ft Same Level maxWithin limits

Therefore, this installation has a 209 ft total equivalent length, a derated capacity of 34,776 BTU/hr (down from 36,000 BTU/hr rated), and needs 124 oz of additional R-410A refrigerant beyond the factory charge. This configuration is within Goodman/Amana's published limits.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides approximate results for planning and estimation purposes only. Actual requirements may vary based on site conditions, materials, workmanship, and local building regulations. Always consult a qualified engineer, architect, or construction professional before making final decisions.

FAQ

200 ft + (5 x 1.5 ft for 90° elbows) + (2 x 0.7 ft for 45° elbows) = 200 + 7.5 + 1.4 = 208.9, rounded UP to 209 ft equivalent length.
The capacity multiplier interpolates to 0.966 — a derated capacity of 34,776 BTU/hr, down 1,224 BTU/hr (roughly 3.4%) from the 36,000 BTU/hr rated capacity — a real, measurable loss at this length.