What Does an Evaporator Coil Do?
Summertime air conditioning issues can be uncomfortable and dangerous for Texas residents and business owners. The hot season in Dallas has a four-month spread between June and September, with average temperatures over 88 degrees. Understanding how your evaporator coil contributes to cool air distribution in your home can help you better understand the need to keep your AC properly maintained.
Get your AC inspected before Dallas summer temperatures soar by scheduling an AC tune-up today with the experts at Frymire Home Services. Contact us today anywhere in the Dallas area!
Evaporator Coil 101
The evaporator coil is an essential component of your air conditioner that resides inside your home and is tasked with removing heat from the air as it blows. Inside the blower compartment or air handler, the evaporator coil houses chilled refrigerant that the compressor transfers into it. Your AC relies on refrigerant, a chemical blend inside your air conditioner that can transform easily between liquid and gaseous states.
As the air from the blower fan travels over the evaporator coil, the cold refrigerant removes the heat from your home’s air. The refrigerant converts to a vapor when air travels over the evaporator coil and triggers a heat exchange. The refrigerant increases in temperature while the air temperature decreases.
How Does an Evaporator Coil Impact Your AC System?
In conjunction with your AC’s condenser coil, the evaporator coil removes heat from your home. As refrigerant changes from liquid to gas and back, it absorbs and releases heat. This is how it cools down a home. The evaporator coil plays a vital role in your air conditioning system. Evaporator coil issues affect the efficiency and performance of the AC.
Common Issues with Evaporator Coils
One of the most common problems with AC units is dirty evaporator coils. Over time, these coils accumulate condensation and mold. Condensation should drain from your system but drain pan clogs can cause water to back up and overflow, leading to water damage and other issues.
Frozen evaporator coils are also a common issue. Anything that prohibits airflow to the evaporator coil, such as dirty coils, low refrigerant, and blocked air ducts, can cause it to freeze. The necessary heat exchange that occurs in your system to cool your home can’t take place if your evaporator coil is frozen. Regular HVAC maintenance rids your system of frost buildup so that your AC can function as it should.
Signs That Your Evaporator Coil Needs Servicing
Identify the signs that indicate you have an evaporator coil issue to get ahead of AC system failures. The most common signs to watch out for include:
- Leaks around the indoor unit
- Warm (instead of cool) air leaving the unit
- Frequent cycling (turning off and on) of your AC unit
- Abnormal sounds when the AC system is running
If your HVAC technician identifies that your evaporator coil is to blame for AC issues, consider having it replaced. You should also consider a replacement if your AC is older than seven years, the SEER rating is 12 or lower, or the repair cost estimate is more than half of the replacement cost.
Schedule Service Today
Frymire Home Services has been serving the Dallas area for over seven decades. Our in-depth industry experience and superior workmanship will ensure you get the AC results you desire. As a family-owned and -operated business, we put our customers first in all we do. We offer flexible financing options and honest, upfront pricing. When you need AC services in Dallas, TX, trust the skilled technicians at Frymire Home Services to restore your system’s performance and reliability!
Contact us to schedule an evaporator coil repair, AC tune-up, or AC inspection today!
