Just where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit? If you’re asking this question in a balmy climate like Cocoa Beach, Florida, you may be facing a cooling emergency. Air conditioners have a lot of moving parts that can fail, including delicate coils that essentially control your home comfort.
Altman’s Cooling & Heating, a local AC repair company in Cocoa Beach, Florida, shares more about your cooling system’s evaporator coils below. Give us a call anytime for quick repairs to your air conditioner in the area.
Discovering Your Air Conditioner’s Coil Location
Where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit? Most air conditioners consist of an outdoor and indoor unit, and typically, the evaporator coils will be on the inside unit in the air handler cabinet. It is several coils connected together inside a box, which is triangular or rectangular.
The evaporator coils should be easy to access in most homes in Cocoa Beach, FL. Look for the indoor unit inside a utility closet (sometimes, this is with a water heater). If you have a garage with a closet, the indoor unit is likely to be in there.
Learning What Evaporator Coils Do
Evaporator coils are responsible for air cooling. If the coils stop working, your home won’t be sufficiently cool. That won’t bode well for a summer in Cocoa Beach, FL, so here’s what you need to know about those coils in your air conditioner.
How Evaporator Coils Work
Refrigerant runs through the evaporator coils to make them cold. When the system sucks in hot air from outside, it travels over these cool coils. The refrigerant turns into a gas as it warms up, absorbing the heat out of the air, which makes that air cooler.
Once the heat transfers into the refrigerant in gaseous form, the cold air running over the coils is then sent throughout your home. The hot air travels back outdoors, which is why you notice heat coming from the outdoor unit’s vents if you put your hand near it.
What Are Condenser Coils?
The condenser coils work the same way but serve a different purpose. Condenser coils are in the outdoor unit (in the condenser). They usually have a flat or curved shape.
These condenser coils release the hot air that the evaporator coils have absorbed. The two coils work together, creating a continual flow of air. If one set of coils stops working, your air conditioner won’t work as intended.
Troubleshooting Evaporator Coil Problems
Certain problems with an evaporator coil are common. Here is when to call an air conditioner technician for an inspection.
- Freezing: A layer of dust on the coils retains too much cold. The refrigerant won’t be able to warm back up and, in turn, won’t cool the incoming hot air. The coils also become frosty or freeze over if they stay cold like this for too long.
- Corrosion: Coils corrode if two types of metals react to produce electricity. Tiny holes in the coils will then lead to leaking refrigerant.
- Dust: Dust causes frozen coils, but it also hurts cooling efficiency. The coils need a maximum surface area that’s clean to cool the required amount of air.
- Leaks: Leakage happens with corrosion and damage to the coils. Refrigerant leaks are inefficient. Refrigerants can also pose a health hazard.
Keeping Your Evaporator Coils in Good Condition in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Do you want to keep your HVAC installation and repair costs low? Evaporator coils in good condition keep your unit functioning well for longer. The following cooling unit upkeep could save you money and frustration:
- VOCs: Volatile organic compounds from furniture, paint, or cleaning supplies shouldn’t enter your air conditioner unit. They cause corrosion.
- Metals: Mismatched metals spark electrical reactions that corrode coils and other components, resulting in leaks. Be sure to ask your air conditioner repair team about aluminum coils to keep this potential corrosion to a minimum.
- Cleaning: Where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit? Check inside the air handler and ensure these coils are always dust-free.
- Maintenance: Air conditioner technicians can clean your air conditioner once or twice each year to prevent dust buildup and corrosion. The coils will be much more efficient that way, too.
Coil Care From Altman's Cooling & Heating in Cocoa Beach, FL
Is there leaking water from your air conditioner? Where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit? Get answers to all your questions and more from Altman’s Cooling & Heating in Cocoa Beach, FL – call (321) 383-7910 today!