If warm air is coming out of the central air conditioning vents and you noticed a gradual struggle to cool the air, your evaporator coil may have a leak from breakage or a crack. The refrigerant inside the coils that cool the air and removes humidity wears them down over time. The metal coils will eventually get worn down from the inside out, at which point you might need to install a new part or a new unit. Before you replace the evaporator coil, you should know that it is not always the best option depending on how old your air conditioning unit is and its SEER rating. Continue reading to learn more about your options or contact us to request a diagnostic trip or second opinion.
When to Replace the Evaporator Coil vs. Replacing the Whole Unit
Did your Evaporator Coils fail, leaving you and your family without air conditioning? If you answered yes, you might be surprised to learn that in many cases replacing a broken evaporator coil can create an unbalance between the condenser apparatus outside and the indoor evaporator coil.
This imbalance can cause irreparable damage to a newly replaced(but mismatched) evaporator coil, requiring replacement of the entire air conditioning unit. We don’t want you to pay for replacement coils AND a new cooling system if your unit isn’t compatible with the current minimum SEER ratings. Contact Service First AC Repair & Plumbing in San Antonio or New Braunfels, Texas to request a free quote. We’ll inspect your current unit and let you know if it makes sense to replace the coils or if replacing the unit would save you money in the long run.
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Why is an Evaporator Coil and Condenser Imbalance Bad?
When the SEER rating on an evaporator coil doesn’t match the condenser, the condenser can quickly overpower and damage the evaporator coil causing premature wear and tear but ultimately HVAC failure.
What Causes Evaporator Coil Failure?
Erosion from caustic refrigerant and evaporator cleaners damages evaporator coils, breaking them down from the inside out and eventually causing a refrigerant leak. An HVAC evaporator coil’s job is to absorb heat and moisture in your home when they fill with extremely cold refrigerant. When there’s a leak the air conditioning unit simply cannot cool the air.
When Should Someone Replace the Entire Unit Instead of the Evaporator Coils?
In some situations, the most cost-effective and practical decision is to replace the entire unit. Those instances include:
- If your AC Unit is at Least 8 Years Old
- Your Unit Uses Unsafe R-22 (It depletes the ozone layer & is Illegal in the US as of January 1, 2020)
- Your Condenser and Coil don’t Have the Same SEER Rating
- Your Unit Has a Refrigerant Leak and Has Less than a 14-SEER Rating
Request an Evaporator Coil Replacement Assessment Today
Not sure if replacing your AC coils is a good option financially? Call our San Antonio office at (210) 521-1500, our New Braunfels technicians, or Contact us online to request a free assessment. We’ll determine whether your unit should be replaced or if you can replace evaporator coils without any adverse repercussions down the road.