The two coil types in a central air conditioner do the hard work of moving heat. Maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures on a hot day is a matter of extracting heat energy.
The entire air volume inside your house continuously passes through the indoor evaporator coil as long as the air conditioner’s running. Meanwhile, the condenser coil releases all that heat gathered indoors into the air outdoors. Any problems that occur in either of the coil types directly impact cooling performance and operating costs. Here’s a basic primer on how AC coil types get the job done.
Evaporator Coil
Located inside the indoor air handler, the evaporator coil receives warm airflow from ductwork extending throughout the house. What happens next?
- Frigid liquid refrigerant flowing through the coil absorbs heat from indoor air moving through the coil passages.
- Absorbed heat causes refrigerant circulating through the coil to convert into a warm vapor.
- Vapor leaving the indoor evaporator coil flows through a conduit to the outdoor unit and enters the system compressor.
Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is mounted in the outdoor unit along with the compressor and a powerful fan.
- The system compressor converts warm vapor flowing from the evaporator coil into hot pressurized gas.
- As the gas enters the condenser coil, it rapidly depressurizes and releases the heat content.
- Air pulled through coil passages by the condenser fan disperses released heat into outdoor air.
- The flow of refrigerant circles back to the indoor evaporator coil, and the cooling cycle continues.
What Might Go Wrong?
- Dirt and dust accumulation. This reduces AC efficiency and makes the unit run longer cycles to maintain temperatures. Annual preventive maintenance by a qualified HVAC technician includes coil inspection and cleaning.
- Refrigerant leaks. Low refrigerant due to coil leaks degrades cooling performance severely. Ice may form on the evaporator coil and obstruct airflow. Eventually, compressor damage can occur. Professional service with leak-detection technology can locate and repair leaks, then restore refrigerant to the proper level.
For more information about the AC coil types that keep your home comfortable all summer, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area