Air conditioners feature many parts that allow them to do their job of keeping you cool so effectively. Each of these parts is important in its own way, but some are arguably more important than others. The evaporator coils are firmly in the second group.
But where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit, and what do they do? Gladiator Services, the leading AC repair contractor near Hillsdale, NJ, answers those questions and more in this post. Discover information on the AC system evaporator placement and more below.
What Is the Evaporator Coil?
Air conditioners have an elaborate process for generating cool air. At the heart of this process, is the refrigerant. It absorbs the humidity and heat from your indoor space taking it outside.
The evaporator coil is a connection of tubes that house the refrigerant. However, it’s only one-half of the equation.
When your air conditioner is working on a hot summer afternoon in Hillsdale, NJ, the compressor will transfer the refrigerant through an expansion valve to cool it down before onward transfer to the evaporator coil.
The fan will move the hot air from your indoor space over the evaporator coil, generating the cool air you feel. The refrigerant absorbs the heat simultaneously at this stage of the process.
The refrigerant travels back down to the condenser coil where it loses the absorbed heat to the outdoors. Without the evaporator coil, there will be no way for the refrigerant to absorb the heat within your indoor space.
Identifying the Evaporator Coil in an Air Conditioner
Where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit? Look in your indoor unit. That’s the evaporator coil position in most air conditioners. You’ll find the evaporator coils near or inside the air handler, which also holds the blower fan.
Locating your AC evaporator coil is straightforward as it’s made from steel, copper, and aluminum. It also has fins around it for protection and to help with heat dissipation.
The coils are made from these materials because they are excellent heat conductors.
What Happens When the Evaporator Coil in Your AC Is in Bad Shape?
AC evaporator coils are generally durable. In most cases, they should be able to last the lifespan of your air conditioning unit. However, due to their position in air conditioners, they may get dirty or develop cracks due to wear and tear.
Some of the things that will happen in that scenario include the following.
Reduced Efficiency
You’ll notice a significant drop in your air conditioner’s cooling power if there’s some dust covering the evaporator coils. Dust is a powerful insulator, so it will hamper the process of warm air absorption significantly. Your air conditioner won’t work to its full capacity if the evaporator coils have a reduced surface area. It will work longer and harder to reach the temperatures you’ve set on your thermostat.
This can also lead to cracks or leaks in the coils. The leaks mean a gradual loss of the refrigerant in the coils. Over time, the refrigerant levels will drop too low for the system to produce any cool air. Additionally, there is a high risk of refrigerant poisoning if some of the chemical enters your indoor air.
Shorter Equipment Lifespan
Any issue that strains your air conditioner excessively will shorten its lifespan. That’s what happens when your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are too dirty or compromised. The fans and the compressor will be forced to work a lot harder to reach your desired temperature.
The extra load will wear down your compressor — a problem every homeowner in Hillsdale, NJ, would rather avoid. Your AC compressor getting damaged could mean replacing the entire unit.
Frozen Coils
Your air conditioner will likely shut down if it has frozen coils, and it may take hours to get it working again.
The freezing occurs when the refrigerant flowing through your coils can’t heat up effectively due to the compromised evaporator coil. The longer the unit runs in that condition, the higher the probability of freezing.
How To Care for Your Air Conditioner’s Evaporator Coil
Looking at the crucial role in your air conditioner’s operation, it’s in your best interest to take care of your evaporator coils. The best thing you can do is to ensure you’re following a regular AC maintenance schedule. Most HVAC contractors will include coil cleaning and inspection in the list of maintenance tasks.
Alternatively, you can consider cleaning the coils on your own.
You can clean your evaporator coils using the following.
Compressed Air
Compressed air can remove loose dust and debris from your air conditioner’s coils. Hold a can a few inches away from the evaporator coil and squeeze the nozzle to dislodge accumulated dirt and debris on the surface of your evaporator coils.
Maintaining that gap between the can’s nozzle and the coil is important because the force of air can bend the coil fins.
Homemade Cleaning Solution
If you can’t buy compressed air, you can still clean your coils using a homemade cleaning solution. Add some detergent in some water. Pour the mix into a spray container. Next, spray the mixture on the evaporator coil and brush away the resulting grime using a soft-bristled brush.
Wait for the coil to dry before you turn your air conditioner back on.
Keep in mind that evaporator coils and their fins are fragile. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to leave cleaning your evaporator coils to experienced HVAC specialists.
Get Quality Air Conditioner Services in Hillsdale, NJ
Now you know the answer to, “Where are the evaporator coils on an AC unit?” Do you have other such questions? Do you need help with cleaning your evaporator coils or tackling a refrigerant leak?
Call Gladiator Services in Hillsdale, NJ, at (201) 248-0952 to schedule an appointment.
Want to get information beyond topics like, “Where is the AC unit evaporator location?” For example, can a power outage damage an AC unit? Call us!
Serving Bergen County, NJ
All Service Areas