An evaporator coil is
the part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs the heat from the air in your house
. It is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace.
Where is the HVAC evaporator coil?
Inside the home, the evaporator coil, sometimes referred to as the cooling coil, is located
on the air intake side of the fan coil or the outlet side of the furnace
. Its job is to remove heat from indoor air so the blower fan can return cool, refreshing air to the home.
How can you tell if an evaporator coil is bad?
- Air coming from the vents is warm.
- Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn't properly cool your home.
- Air conditioner does not turn on.
- Refrigerant leak near the indoor cooling system components.
- Unusual noises from the cooling system, such as banging or hissing.
Is the evaporator coil used for heating?
In most cases, the evaporator coil will work with both your air conditioner and your furnace, depending on which system you are using at any given time. When your evaporator coil is functioning as part of a cooling system, its job is to
remove heat from
the air inside your home.
How much does it cost to replace HVAC evaporator coil?
Replacing a home air conditioner's evaporator coil costs
$1,000 on average
with a typical range of $600 to $2,000. About 40% of the bill comes from labor, or $400 to $1,000. Warranties range from five to 12 years and cover the price of materials.
How do I know what size evaporator coil I need?
If the evaporator must move 400 gallons per minute: 14 x 400 = 5,600. Multiply the answer by 500: 5,600 x 500 = 2,800,000. This answer is the evaporator's size, measured in BTUs per hour.
Divide
the answer by 12,000: 2,800,000 / 12,000 = 233.33.
Can I clean my AC coils yourself?
Mix a simple detergent and warm water in
a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Spray the solution onto the evaporator coils and give it a few minutes to soak in and loosen the dirt and debris. Wipe away any loosened material with a soft brush or cloth and reapply as needed.
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
.
How do you know if your AC evaporator is bad?
- The cool air is weak or no cold air is blowing at all. …
- You notice a strange odor when using your AC system. …
- The AC compressor will not activate. …
- The AC temperature will vary.
How often should AC evaporator coils be cleaned?
Without proper AC maintenance, the summertime heat will get the best of you. Keep your system working efficiently by cleaning the air conditioner coils
at least once a year
and following preventative measures to keep them clean during use.
Which is better'n coil or a coil?
N-shaped coils get much better
results, however, because they allow for more overall coil surface area inside the unit, allowing them to accommodate more refrigerant and absorb or release more heat — without requiring larger equipment.
How do you clean an evaporator coil without removing it?
Use a compressed air canister
. One of the best ways to get the dirt and other debris out is to use compressed air. Blow the air into the coil to loosen the dirt. If there's stubborn dirt, though, you might need to put the nozzle close to the bottom of the debris, along its side.
How do I know if my evaporator is leaking?
To verify if a leak exists, before removing the evaporator,
a vacuum test
can be performed. Using appropriate flush adapters on the evaporator fittings, pull a vacuum of 28” to 30” Hg. The evaporator should hold vacuum for 30 minutes. If there is a loss of vacuum, verify that the adapters and gauges are not the cause.
How long do evaporator coils last?
If proper maintenance is regularly performed, then the evaporator coils should last
10 to 15 years
, which is the ideal lifetime for an evaporator coil and comparable to the lifespan of an AC unit.
Can I replace an evaporator coil myself?
Most people think you have to do this, but you don't.
There is no way to single
out the Freon, so you're good to go! Remember, check evaporator coil prices prior to taking on this project yourself.
Can a evaporator coil be repaired?
The best choice to fix a leaking evaporator coil is
a replacement
, especially if it still under warranty. However, if this is not cost-effective for you at the moment, you can also try adding a sealant, which has about a 50/50 success rate.
