HVAC coils are the air conditioning components that capture heat and move it out of your home. After they’ve done their job, what’s left behind inside the house is cool comfort, even on the hottest day. Here’s how the AC refrigerant cycle utilizes HVAC coils to keep your home cool:
Refrigerant circulating through the evaporator coil in the indoor air handler extracts household heat from the system airflow.
Refrigerant flows through insulated tubing to the outdoor AC unit, where heat molecules are compressed by the compressor.
As refrigerant enters the outdoor condenser coil, absorbed indoor heat is dispersed into outdoor air.
The flow of refrigerant returns to the indoor evaporator coil and continues extracting heat from the home.
Things That Go Wrong with Coils
Because HVAC coils are exposed to indoor system airflow and outdoor weather, they may accumulate dirt and dust that reduces heat-transfer efficiency and increases AC operating costs. Also, coil corrosion and deterioration may trigger refrigerant leaks, potentially damaging critical system components like the expensive compressor.
How to Keep HVAC Coils Fully Functional
Most coil maintenance is not a DIY project. The indoor evaporator coil is sealed inside the indoor air handler and inaccessible to the average homeowner. Servicing the outdoor condenser coil requires removal of the housing to access the coil and the fan.
The most important step to maintain HVAC coils is to schedule annual preventative maintenance for your air conditioner that's provided by a qualified HVAC technician. This service includes inspecting both coils as well as cleaning away dust and dirt accumulation on coil surfaces. Annual professional maintenance also includes checking AC refrigerant charge and, if necessary, tracking down leaks in the system, including HVAC coils.
There's one do-it-yourself task that helps sustain coil function: Cut back weeds, bushes, and other obstructions that may block air circulation into the outdoor unit that houses the condenser coil. Keep at least two feet of open space on all sides of the unit to ensure proper airflow.
For professional service to keep your HVAC coils fully functional and your house comfortably cool, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.