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With average summer highs in the 80s, reliable AC is a must-have in Southern California. If your evaporator coil is wearing out, your AC may blow warm air, make strange noises, or even shut off completely. We’ll take you through how to tell if an evaporator coil is bad, evaporator coil repair and replacement options, and how Comfort Bros can help in an AC repair emergency.
What Is an Evaporator Coil and Why Does It Matter?
Evaporator coils are coils inside your air conditioner that facilitate the heat exchange process. They’re usually located inside the air handler or beside the furnace in your HVAC system. Inside each coil, refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, cooling the air so it can be redistributed throughout your home.
Why evaporator coils are prone to damage
Evaporator coils are constantly working when your AC is turned on, so they see a lot of stress. This wear and tear can degrade components, and lead to corrosion and leaks. Even clogged air filters and dirt buildup causes evaporator coil damage.
Signs Your Evaporator Coil May Be Failing
If you notice any of these signs of a failing evaporator coil, call your local HVAC tech for AC coil issues to book a quick inspection.
Your AC is blowing warm air
A problem with your evaporator coils can lead to low refrigerant levels, making it difficult for your AC to cool your home. Warm air or reduced cooling power is a common sign of a broken evaporator coil.
Unusual hissing sounds
When your AC is running properly, it should make minimal noise. If you hear an unusual hissing sound, this can indicate that your evaporator coil is leaking.
Rising energy bills
If your evaporator coils are damaged or low on refrigerant, your AC will have to work harder to deliver cooling power, leading to rising energy bills.
Short cycling
When your evaporator coils can’t deliver enough cooling power, your AC may repeatedly turn on and off in quick succession. This is known as short cycling, which drains your power and leads to extra wear and tear.
Ice buildup
If you see ice building up on your air conditioner, this typically signals an evaporator coil problem. When your AC is working well, condensation should evaporate. If a coil problem occurs and heat isn’t transferring properly, condensation may freeze instead.
Chemical smell
In some cases, a refrigerant leak can give off a sweet, chemical smell. If you suspect you smell refrigerant, turn off your AC, evacuate the building, and call your HVAC pro immediately. Refrigerant is a health hazard, so it’s important to call an expert if you think your AC may be leaking refrigerant.
Can you visually identify coil problems?
In some cases, you may notice visual signs of an evaporator coil issue. However, other issues like small leaks or wear and tear can be harder to identify visually. If you notice a loss of cooling power, high energy bills, or smell any strange odors from your AC, it’s always best to stop and call a technician.
Can Evaporator Coils Be Repaired?
If the evaporator coil has only a small leak, your technician may be able to patch it. However, for extensive corrosion and other major damage, it’s often inefficient and sometimes impossible to repair the coil. If this is the case, your HVAC tech can advise you on the most efficient option.
When coil repair makes sense
Repairing an evaporator coil may make sense if your air conditioner is relatively new and still under warranty, which should cover the cost of repairs. It’s also a good fit if the rest of your air conditioner is in good condition and the only thing that requires repairs is the evaporator coil.
When Should You Replace the Evaporator Coil Instead?
In cases of severe corrosion, it may not be possible to repair the evaporator coil. It’s also important to consider whether repairs will be efficient — for example, if you’re dealing with recurring leaks, it may be more cost-effective to replace the coil.
Coil replacement vs. full system replacement
If your air conditioner is relatively new and functioning well, simply replacing the evaporator coil is often the best choice. However, if your air conditioner is reaching the end of its service life, it may be more efficient to skip the repairs and upgrade the entire system.
You may also need to consider an upgrade if your evaporator coil breaks and your old air conditioner is incompatible with newer refrigerants, meaning replacing just the coil is impossible. While a new AC is an investment, options like Energy Star models can reduce your power bill and provide long-term savings.
Why Book Your Repair With Comfort Bros
At Comfort Bros, we’re dedicated to providing you with the best possible service at a price that fits your budget. We deliver a fast, local response across our Southern California service area so you can get the AC help you need when you need it.
We believe in providing an honest assessment and repairing whenever possible. Our HVAC technicians are fully licensed and insured for professional service. We offer transparent pricing and friendly service for a great HVAC experience.
What to expect from our visit
When you call Comfort Bros, we’ll provide you with a clear diagnosis of any AC issues and walk you through all your repair and replacement options. Our technicians will respect your home and your schedule, so we’ll keep wait times to a minimum and make sure our service is always friendly, helpful, and efficient.
Looking for HVAC maintenance, inspection, repairs, or replacements? Browse our specials to discover great deals on local HVAC service, then contact us today to book your next appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent evaporator coil damage?
The best way to prevent evaporator coil damage is to perform regular AC inspections and maintenance. This helps catch any issues like wear and tear, so you can address the problem before it becomes a costly replacement.
How can I extend the lifespan of AC evaporator coils?
You can extend the lifespan of evaporator coils by taking good care of your AC. This includes using quality air filters and changing them every three months to avoid dirt building up inside your AC. Scheduling annual tune-ups also helps keep your system running smoothly.
What financing options are available for evaporator coil repairs?
If your AC is still under warranty, the manufacturer may cover some or all of the cost of evaporator coil repairs or replacements. If you need a full new AC system, we partner with GreenSky to offer financing options with fair interest rates and flexible payments.
