Most people rely on air conditioning to keep their homes comfortable, but many don’t know exactly how their systems work and what the individual parts do. While some components, like evaporator and condenser coils, sound the same, they are two very different parts. It’s always best to trust repairs and maintenance to a reliable HVAC company, but learning more about your AC will help you to know when to call a professional.

Evaporator Coils

What Are They?

This is the part of your air conditioning system that removes heat and humidity from the air in your home. This piece is located inside the air handler and is made of metal that conducts heat well, such as aluminum, copper, or steel.

Evaporator coils contain refrigerant, a fluid that absorbs heat. This fluid transitions between being a liquid and a gas during the air conditioning process. The heat is eventually carried to your outdoor unit and removed, which is why you feel warm air coming from outdoor units.

How Do You Maintain Them?

Wear and tear on the coils can lead to refrigerant leaks. Other potential problems with evaporators include dirty coils, which can stop the refrigerant from absorbing as much heat, and frozen coils which occurs when there’s not enough airflow.

Avoid these problems by regularly changing your AC filters and by scheduling maintenance with an HVAC company once or twice a year. 

Condenser Coils

What Are They?

The condenser coils in your system come into play after evaporator coils have done their job and can be found in the outdoor unit. Refrigerant that has absorbed heat in the evaporator coils travels to the condenser unit where a compressor pressurizes it into a high-pressure gas. 

The gas flows through the condenser coils, where it releases heat. The unit’s fan blows air over the coils, and as the refrigerant cools, it becomes a liquid, and the process begins again.

How Do You Maintain Them?

Like the evaporator coils, the condenser needs proper airflow to work well. As well as changing the AC filter, keep the air registers, vents, and ducts clean. This will be done by a professional during scheduled maintenance.

Debris from your yard, such as leaves and twigs, can build up around the base of your outdoor unit and clog the vents and fan. It’s essential to check for unwanted debris and keep the area around your unit clean.

When you need a trusted HVAC company to maintain your air conditioning system, contact Independence Mechanical in Kenton County, KY. Having served the area since 1968, this family-owned and -operated company also provides installations, repairs, and 24-hour emergency services. Call (859) 359-7351 to get a free estimate or visit their website to find out more.