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3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues and Ways to Fix

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3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues and Ways to Fix

Ordinary Types of Evaporator Coil Issues

The HVAC evaporator coils in your system are vulnerable to various types of issues such as cracking, freezing, and a buildup of dirt. Contact a licensed contractor to perform an annual air conditioning tune-up to maintain the evaporator coils in your system. While homeowners like yourself should be able to handle jobs such as air filter replacement, you will need a certified technician to deal with frozen or leaky evaporator coils.

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Top Signs of Defective HVAC Evaporator Coils

Even if you haven’t heard of AC evaporator coils, this component plays a huge role in the cooling process for your home. Your air conditioner would be in serious trouble if these coils should ever malfunction or become defective.

If your air conditioner is turning on and off frequently, this is a sign of malfunctioning evaporator coils. Other ordinary signs of damaged coils include strange noises, warm air, and refrigerant leaks.

3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues & Ways to Fix

Common Causes of Frozen AC Evaporator Coils

It may sound surprising, but HVAC evaporator coils are vulnerable to freezing up, which can cause your AC to run improperly. There are a few different reasons this could be occurring, the most common of which are listed below.

Contaminated Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioning (AC) evaporator coils can get dusty and dirty when your system is operating. This forces your air conditioner to overcompensate through this added system strain, which in turn freezes your coils. As long as you get them professionally sanitized every once in a while, you can significantly limit this risk.

Airflow Issues

Poor air circulation can also chill over your HVAC evaporator coils. This could be because of a contaminated or ill-fitting air filter, the wrong-sized or defective ductwork, a dirty heat pump, a clogged air handler, blocked return grills, closed vents, or a malfunctioning blower fan. Prevent bad airflow by cleaning your AC unit, replacing your air filters, and ensuring that all your vents are open and unobstructed.

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Refrigerant Leaks

Although it’s not unusual for your air conditioning system to have a refrigerant leak after an extended period of time, you should hire a certified technician to inspect your HVAC evaporator coils if your system is distributing warm air in your home.

A low supply of refrigerant can also cause your system to use excess energy and ice can start to form on your air conditioner (AC) evaporator coils.

3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues & Ways to Fix

Clogged Drain

While your AC works to remove humidity from your home, the remaining condensation is supposed to run out through a drainage line. However, if this is clogged, then the water climbs back up until it freezes the coils. Fixing this situation requires either a do-it-yourself (DIY) or professional unclogging of your drain.

Life Cycle of Evaporator Coils

If your AC evaporator coils are regularly cleaned and maintained, they can last as long as 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, dust, dirt, pollen, and other air contaminants gathering on the air filter can make their way past it and stick to the moisture on the evaporator coils.

With the build-up of dirt, the coils can’t power the air conditioner in an efficient manner and can actually corrode, leak, or become susceptible to other issues over time. Talk with a professional about the benefits of performing maintenance on your evaporator coils to prevent a premature AC replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Air Conditioning (AC) Evaporator Coils

How Do I Know If My AC Evaporator Coil is Bad?

The main signs of bad air conditioning (AC) evaporator coils include cracking, freezing, and a buildup of dirt. To prevent damage, frozen or leaky evaporator coils should always be fixed by a professional.

What Happens When Evaporator Coils Are Bad?

If your air conditioner is turning on and off frequently, this is a sign of malfunctioning evaporator coils. Other ordinary signs of damaged coils include strange noises, warm air, and refrigerant leaks.

3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues & Ways to Fix

What Causes Ice to Build Up on AC Coils?

The most common causes of frozen air conditioner (AC) evaporator coils include a buildup of dust in your system, refrigerant leaks, airflow issues, or a clogged drain line. If your system has a refrigerant leak, the pressure drops and causes ice to form on the evaporator coils.

What is the Life Expectancy of an Evaporator Coil?

If your air conditioner (AC) evaporator coils are regularly cleaned and maintained, they can last as long as 10 to 15 years. Unfortunately, a buildup of dust in your system can prevent the coils from operating in an efficient manner and can cause corrosion, leaks, or other issues.

How to Respond a Leaking Evaporator Coil

R-22 Air Conditioning Systems

In the case of an R-22 air conditioning system, you should take an evaporator coil leak as a sign that you need to install a new, up-to-date system. This is because the R-22 refrigerant is expensive and difficult to find on the market. So even if you can replace your coil, that is probably not your biggest area of concern.

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3 Types of Air Conditioner (AC) Evaporator Coil Issues & Ways to Fix

R-410A Air Conditioning Systems

If you have an air conditioner system that uses R-410A refrigerant, you are as timely as you can be. We recommend replacing your HVAC evaporator coil if the warranty is still effective, so you are not paying out of pocket later.

However, if the warranty period is over, we suggest purchasing an air handler instead. Not only are these easier to install rather than a replacement coil, but they also come with a 10-year warranty. How nice is that?

Air Conditioning Repair and Installation Services Offered By Snell

If you need assistance replacing the evaporator coil in your system, give our staff a call by phone at (703) 543-9649. Our staff of certified technicians offers dependable air conditioning repair and air conditioning installation services to homes in Virginia.

Once our team is finished with the project, we will clean the living area to ensure satisfaction. In addition, we will talk with you about the project and make sure you’re happy with the repairs or new system. Give our team a call to receive support with a malfunctioning air conditioner.

Make your home feel heat-resistant come summertime with air conditioning repair and installation services from Snell Heating and Air Conditioning. Our licensed, certified technicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to ensure your home feels like a refreshing escape. Book your air conditioning service appointment at (703) 782-3566 or go to our website.

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