The air conditioner’s evaporator coil is a component vital to the cooling process. When they malfunction, achieving indoor comfort becomes quite difficult.
Douglas Cooling & Heating explains the function of the evaporator coil, signs of bad evaporator coil components and what is needed to keep the evaporator coil in top shape. If you are in need of air conditioning repairs due to a failing evaporator coil or other cooling system issues, give us a call for quick, reliable repair service!
The Evaporator Coil’s Job
A cooling system’s evaporator coil is critical to the heat transfer process that provides comfortable indoor temperatures when the weather is warm. Housed indoors near the unit’s air handler, this coiled piping carries cold, liquid refrigerant that converts to a low-pressure gas within.
As the home’s air passes over, the evaporator coil extracts heat from the air in order to lower air temperature. This process also causes moisture to condense, which helps to dehumidify the home’s indoor air supply. From there, the refrigerant travels from the evaporator coil to the outdoor unit, and the cooled air is blown back into the home through the duct system.
Signs of Damaged Evaporator Coil Components
As you can see, the evaporator coil has a very important role in the cooling process. Occasionally, homeowners may experience malfunctions which inhibit proper performance and cause indoor comfort issues, requiring the help of a HVAC technician for air conditioning repairs. Signs of damaged evaporator coil components, include:
- 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
Common Evaporator Coil Repairs
Evaporator coils suffer from a few common issues. If you notice any trouble signs, one of these system issues could be to blame:
- Dirty air filter
- Dirty evaporator coil
- Evaporator coil leak
- Frozen evaporator coil
An annual cooling system tune up and coil cleaning service helps your evaporator coil stay in good shape and avoid performance issues related to dirty air filters and coils. Homeowners also need to perform regular filter changes to ensure the system has enough airflow for the evaporator coil to work properly. Problems like frozen or leaking coils require the help of a professional to correct.
When to Replace Your Evaporator Coil
When you experience the signs of bad evaporator coil components and a leak is to blame, Birmingham homeowners are faced with a decision: repair or replace? While some other cooling system issues require simple repairs to fix, an evaporator coil leak isn’t so straightforward.
As time goes on, the inner lining of the coil wears down due to erosion, which weakens its metal. The outer lining also experiences corrosion in some cases, also causing damage. These issues make the coil more susceptible to refrigerant leaks.
Whenever refrigerant leaks occur within the evaporator coil, replacement is generally the preferred option versus repairs. The cost to replace the damaged component with a new evaporator coil is oftentimes less expensive than the repairs necessary to fix a leak plus the price of recharging the system with refrigerant.
Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Air Conditioner Repair Today!
Whether you have signs of bad evaporator coils or any other air conditioning system issue, Birmingham area homeowners place their trust into Douglas Cooling & Heating to combat the problem. Our skilled HVAC technicians perform diagnostics to uncover air conditioner malfunctions, as well as the tested repairs required to correct the problem. For air conditioning repairs in and around Birmingham, give Douglas Cooling & Heating a call!
