HVAC Construction, Inc.

The evaporator and condenser units are two key components of every air conditioning system. The coils housed within these units are essential for generating cool air on one end and releasing heat from the indoors on the other. In today’s post, the local HVAC contractors at HVAC Construction, Inc. explain the importance of having matched evaporator and condenser coils.

How Do Evaporators and Condensers Work?

Air conditioners are typically separated into two units. The evaporator unit is installed indoors (attached to an air handler, in the case of whole-home air conditioners), while the condenser unit is installed outdoors. On window-mounted air conditioners, the evaporator coils are housed in the front panel, while the condenser coils are housed in the part that projects from the window.

HVAC systems utilize the extreme temperature changes of the refrigerant as it undergoes various stages of compression. The refrigerant becomes very cold as it reaches the evaporator coils that are placed in front of air blowers, which results in cool air. The cold evaporator coils also absorb heat from the room. At a later stage of the cycle, the refrigerant becomes warm from the heat absorbed by the evaporator coil. Once it reaches the outdoor unit, the heat is shed by the condenser coils, and the refrigerant then returns to its cooled state.

What Happens When the Evaporator and Condenser Coils Are Mismatched?

Brand-new HVAC systems come with matched evaporator and condenser coils; it’s not like one can mix and match different units. When one of these coils reaches the end of its lifespan, the differences in the capacity ratings between them become more pronounced. It’s easy to think, “why not just choose a replacement coil with a higher rating?”, but it’s not that simple.

Mismatched coils tend to result in reduced air conditioner efficiency. This means the air conditioner output may need to be raised (that is, the thermostat temperature may have to be set lower) in order to meet your basic cooling needs. This, in turn, will result in greater strain on the system and higher energy bills. Installing “upgraded” replacement coils will achieve the same results. The ideal solution is to have a certified HVAC technician install properly-sized replacement coils. The good news is, wear on both coils doesn’t happen overnight. Properly-maintained air conditioners typically go through their service lives without needing a coil replacement.

Call HVAC Construction for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

HVAC Construction, Inc. is your leading provider of heating and air conditioning services. Give us a call at (801) 877-7783. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Salt Lake City as well as the surrounding communities in Utah. Also, visit our website if you’re looking for HVAC construction jobs.