The air conditioner’s evaporator coils are an essential component that creates the cool air inside your home. When the evaporator coils become damaged or develops problems, the homeowner is often faced with a decision whether to replace or repair the evaporator coils. It can be hard to determine which one is the better decision to make. For those who are not sure which is the better decision to make, Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning will share when to repair or replace the evaporator coils.

What are AC Evaporator Coils?

Evaporator coils are part of the air handler which is located inside the home and usually in the attic. The evaporator coils are in the shape of an upside down “V” or a rectangular box. The evaporator coil consists of thin metal fins with copper piping that snake between the section of coils. The evaporator coil is the key component that removes heat from the air and produces the cool air that is then circulated throughout the home. The refrigerant travels through the copper piping, snaking through the evaporator coil. The refrigerant turns into a gas which compresses the air removing the heat. Without a properly functioning evaporator coil, the home will not cool down and the rest of the air conditioning system will undergo severe stress.

Signs of a Faulty Evaporator Coil

When evaporator coils develop problems, often these problems are easily detected. Evaporator coils, when not functioning properly, can develop many different symptoms. It is important to spot these problems as soon as they occur to prevent additional problems that can affect the entire HVAC system. When an evaporator coil begins to fail, look for these distinct symptoms.
• Warm air versus cool air blowing through the air vents.
• The air conditioner turns on and off frequently, and the home stays warm.
• Odd sounds, such as hissing, that come from the evaporator coil.
• Leaks around the air handler.
• Air conditioner fails to turn on altogether.

Repair or Replace Evaporator Coils

When it comes to repairing versus replacing the evaporator coil, often there are a few factors to consider. If the evaporator coils are fairly new and have easily repairable damage, then it makes sense to repair the coil instead of replacing them. However, there are a number of situations when it is a much better decision to replace them altogether. Some examples of when it is better to replace the evaporator coils are:
• If the evaporator coils are under warranty, and they have a number of problems, simply replace the coils.
• If the repair cost is more the 1/3 to ½ of the cost of the coil’s replacement then it may be better to replace the coils and have a fresh start.
• The age of the HVAC system is another major factor. If the unit is more than 7 to 10 year old, then expect more problems with your evaporator coil in the future. To prevent additional repairs, replace old coils versus repairing them. Older units also use an R-22 refrigerant which is going out of production. Therefore, refilling an old evaporator coil system may be impossible.
• Another benefit of replacing the evaporator coils versus repairing is that you can upgrade your evaporator coil and get one more efficient.

Central Air Conditioner Repair & More in Summerlin, North LV, Henderson, Enterprise, Paradise, Sunrise Manor, Spring Valley, Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, Peccole Ranch, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada

If you need your evaporator coil repaired, replaced, or you have other HVAC needs, contact Air Supply Heating & Air Conditioning today.