The evaporator and condenser coils carry the refrigerant that your cooling system uses to exchange heat. The evaporator coil sits inside the air handler or blower compartment indoors and the condenser coil is located outside. The series of components form a loop and manage the flow of refrigerant between the two coils that make it possible for the system to cool your home.
Evaporator Coil
When the refrigerant flows through the evaporator coil inside the air handler, it becomes exceptionally cold, absorbing the heat from your home. All cooling systems use a fan that pulls air over the coil. Removing the heat from the air chills it and the cooled air blows through the ductwork.
Condenser Coil
This coil wraps around the outside of the condenser. A large fan inside the condenser blows air over it, which helps it lose the heat the indoor coil collected. Sometimes the condenser coils are surrounded by thin metal fins, similar to the ones found in a vehicle’s radiator, that also help dissipate heat. As the refrigerant goes through this coil, it flows back into the compressor, which pressurizes it and sends it back to the evaporator coil indoors.
How Coils Affect Cooling Performance
The two most important aspects of getting the most efficiency from a cooling system include coil compatibility and cleanliness. If the condenser and air handler are mismatched, efficiency falls. Before installing a new central system, the HVAC contractor needs to show you documentation that the coils match each other.
Keeping both coils clean is essential for top performance from your system. Checking and changing the air filter when it’s dirty helps keep the evaporator coil clean, as does annual professional maintenance. Removing anything that blocks air from blowing through the condenser coil speeds the cooling process. Cleaning the outdoor coil with water and mild detergent will remove the dirt that impedes its ability to lose heat.
To learn more about checking and maintaining the evaporator and condenser coils, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve provided trusted HVAC services for Twin Cities homeowners since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about evaporator and condenser coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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