Do You Know the Different Coil Types in a Typical AC?

Coil TypesYour air-conditioning system’s coils play a critical role in the cooling process and making your home’s air cool and comfortable. A better understanding of how the different AC coil types work and what you can do to care for them properly will help keep your system in excellent working condition. Read on to learn more about the AC coils found in your air conditioner.

Types of AC Coils

Your air conditioner has two main types of coils: evaporator coils and condenser coils. Both types have their own important function.

Evaporator Coil Types

The evaporator coil is located in the indoor AC unit. It’s where the gaseous coolant absorbs indoor heat to carry and release it outside. Just before the coolant flows into the coil, it passes through an expansion chamber that decreases the pressure it’s under, making the gas rapidly cool before it passes through the evaporator coils.

As the cold refrigerant absorbs heat from the warm air drawn in from your home, it cools down the air that’s then delivered into your rooms.

Condenser Coil Types

The condenser coil is located in your outdoor unit. It takes the heat from inside your house and dumps it outside with the help of a fan motor and control valves.

Before passing through the condenser coils, the coolant that absorbed the heat from your indoor air enters a compressor. The refrigerant is compressed, which increases the pressure the refrigerant is under and makes it extremely hot quickly. As the hot refrigerant flows through the condenser coil, a large fan draws air across it to extract heat. The refrigerant returns to the expansion chamber to restart the cycle.

Caring for Coils

Your coils become dirty over time. A dirty evaporator coil won’t cool your home effectively. A dirty condenser coil will prevent the refrigerant from losing heat and getting cold as it should in the expansion chamber. You should, therefore, have your coils cleaned every year. Coil cleaning is part of the AC maintenance services that HVAC companies provide.

Clean coils lead to a more efficient AC system. For more information on the different coil types, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. We provide AC installation, repair, and maintenance services to Yuma-area homeowners.