Repairing or Replacing Damaged Condenser Fins
Even though these fins are delicate,
they are easy to fix
, and it won't cost a lot. All you need is a condenser fin “comb”. These fins can also be repaired when you have a service performed on your air conditioner.
How do you fix a bent fin on an air conditioner?
Can an air conditioner coil be repaired?
Sadly,
repair isn't an option
. There's no reliable way to repair the leaks themselves. Evaporator coils are large components that reside in dark places and are characterized by tiny dips, curves, crevices, and hard-to-see, hard-to-reach areas. When it comes to finding leaks, the needle-in-a-haystack analogy applies.
What happens if AC fins are bent?
When condenser fins or evaporator fins are bent or when they get clogged it causes a major restriction in air flow that would usually pass through the air conditioning system, which means
a decrease in efficiency for the entire AC
.
What are AC fins?
The purpose of the fins is
to increase the surface area of the condenser, making it easier to pass the refrigerant's heat to the surrounding air
. As the warm, gaseous refrigerant flows through the condenser, heat makes its way from the inside to the outside of the coil.
What happens if AC coils get bent?
Air conditioners work by absorbing heat from the air inside the home and dissipating that heat outside. If the fins on the condenser are bent,
air cannot be sufficiently cycled across the hot coils and some heat is retained, reducing the overall efficiency of the unit
.
How do you straighten an air conditioning coil?
How do you straighten a coil?
How do you use an AC fin brush?
How much is a new AC coil?
| Coil Capacity Part Only Installation Cost | 1.5-2.0 ton $575 – $800 $475 – $650 | 2.5 ton $625 – $975 $535 – $750 | 3.0 ton $735 – $1,055 $600 – $835 | 3.5 ton $775 – $1,025 $775 – $985 |
|---|
Can I replace an evaporator coil myself?
When your air conditioner stops blowing cold air, it may be time to replace your evaporator coil. Some technicians charge anywhere from $800 to $1,500 to do this.
While we suggest hiring a professional to replace evaporator coils, here's an idea of what you can expect, if you want to try it yourself
.
Is it worth replacing evaporator coil?
Your AC is 8+ years (or older)
The efficiency of an AC unit is at its best for the first 10 to 12 years of its life. That said, if your AC is nearing 8 years old, replacing just the evaporator coil would be like putting a brand new engine into a dying car—
it's just not worth the money
.
What are AC fins made of?
An air conditioning system has two coils, condenser coils and evaporator coils usually made of copper tubes with
aluminum fins
. The evaporator coil, or indoor coil, is often described as the “cold” coil because it provides indoor cooling.
What are the fins for on an evaporator coil?
The evaporator fins are located inside the interior of your air conditioner around the evaporator, forming an “A” shape. These interior fins are responsible for
cooling the outside air and sending it through your ducts and vents to cool your home
.
How do you clean an air conditioner fin?
How do AC fins get bent?
These fins can bend from
pressure washing, hail, tree debris, careless weed eating procedures, twigs and rocks
. Although it's best to call an HVAC pro when your HVAC fins are bent, here's a brief guide on how the job is done.
What does a condenser coil look like?
How do you straighten a small coil spring?
Is it possible to straighten a coiled cable?
The plastic on the wire has been heated into a circular shape.
You need to heat it into a straight shape
. This is NOT a fast process. Take your time and it will work out just fine.
