10 to 15 years10 to 15 years, which is the ideal lifetime for an evaporator coil and comparable to the lifespan of an AC unit. However, how long your evaporator coils last will be much shorter if your unit is improperly maintained.

Is it worth it to replace an AC evaporator coil?

The efficiency of an AC unit is at its best for the first 10 to 12 years of its life. That said, if your AC is nearing 8 years old, replacing just the evaporator coil would be like putting a brand new engine into a dying car—it’s just not worth the money.

How much does it cost to replace an evaporator coil in an air conditioner?

An AC evaporator coil replacement costs $1,000 on average, with a typical range between $600 and $2,000. About 40% of the price—about $400 to $1,000—goes towards labor costs.

When should I replace my AC evaporator coil?

After 15 years, your AC unit will break down more often. If you just serviced your unit a few months ago and something broke afterward, it may be time to replace it. Some coil cleaners can also weaken and disintegrate the outer lining of evaporator coils. They can become corroded over time with repeated use.

What causes an evaporator coil to fail?

Corrosion of the copper tubing in the coil from the outside is the most common cause of evaporator coil leaks. This corrosion happens when formic acid accumulates on the coil as a result of the interaction of water, copper, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your indoor air.

Do evaporator coils wear out?

As with any part of your cooling system, your evaporator coil will suffer from wear and tear over time. Efficiency gradually decreases throughout the coil’s lifespan, but proper maintenance can keep your evaporator coil going for up to 20 years. The primary reason for most failed evaporator coils is erosion.

Can evaporator coil leak be fixed?

The best choice to fix a leaking evaporator coil is a replacement, especially if it still under warranty. However, if this is not cost-effective for you at the moment, you can also try adding a sealant, which has about a 50/50 success rate.

What causes AC evaporator coil to freeze up?

The most common reason for frozen evaporator coils is insufficient airflow. This is commonly caused by a clogged or dirty air filter, backed-up drain clogs, low fan speed, or a dirty evaporator coil. Check to see how many registers are closed in your home.

How much does it cost to replace a 2.5 ton AC unit?

For a 1,300 to 1,600 square ft home you would want a 2.5 ton AC unit and the average installation cost would be around $3,570 with the unit alone costing around $1,285. Read more about these cost factors below.

How much does it cost to have evaporator coils cleaned?

$100 to $400

Evaporator coil cleaning costs $100 to $400. It costs more just because it’s tough to access. You’ll find it housed inside the air handler near your furnace (or inside your ductwork if you only have AC).

How can you tell if an evaporator coil is bad?

Signs of Damaged Evaporator Coil Components

  1. Air coming from the vents is warm.
  2. Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn’t properly cool your home.
  3. Air conditioner does not turn on.
  4. Refrigerant leak near the indoor cooling system components.
  5. Unusual noises from the cooling system, such as banging or hissing.


How do you know if your evaporator coil is leaking?

The most noticeable sign of an evaporator leak is a strange odor coming from the AC. This odor is the smell of the refrigerant. The characteristic odor indicates that the refrigerant is leaking from the evaporator. Another sign of an evaporator leak is weak airflow.

How do you test an AC evaporator coil?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Inside use a flashlight to look inside the coil. You should be able to tell if it's dirty or not if it looks like this you're good and you don't have to clean.

Who makes the best evaporator coil?

Goodman and Rheem are two of the top manufacturers for evaporator coils on the market today, but they each have their own specs for making these coils.

Can you replace AC evaporator?

An evaporator coil can last up to 10–15 years with regular maintenance, but in some cases, it may need to be replaced sooner. And since the evaporator coil works so closely with your outdoor unit, it’s recommended that you purchase or replace them at the same time.

How long does it take to replace a coil in an AC unit?

around 2 to 3 hours

How long does it take to replace an evaporator coil? It takes around 2 to 3 hours to replace an evaporator coil. This time will change depending on the ease of access to the component.

How do I know if my evaporator coil is leaking?

Signs of a Leaking Evaporator Coil

  1. Water Overflowing Drip Pan. Your AC unit has a drip pan to collect normal condensation build-up. …
  2. AC Takes a Long Time to Cool Home. …
  3. Weak, Unresponsive Airflow. …
  4. Warm Airflow.


Can I replace just the outside AC unit?

Even if you could find an outdoor unit that uses the same refrigerant as your old indoor unit, we would still advise against replacing only the outdoor unit because it would likely create a mismatched system.

How much is a new AC unit for a 2000 square foot house?

Installing a central air conditioner into a 2000 square ft. home with an existing forced air furnace heating system (that has all ductwork installed properly) would cost between $3,000 to $4,000.

How long do outside AC units last?

between 15-20 years

Unlike furnaces, air conditioners are often outdoors and exposed to extreme temperatures throughout the year, which shortens their life expectancy. Modern air conditioners can last between 15-20 years, and older air conditioners last around 10-12 years.

What is the average life of a central air conditioning system?

15 to 20 years

While every unit is different, and every homeowner has a different understanding of when their central air conditioner is broken beyond repair, it’s fair to say that, with proper maintenance and care, you can expect a good 15 to 20 years of cooling from a new high efficiency air conditioning system.

Should I replace my 20 year old HVAC?

The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 15 to 20 years, but as these systems age, they tend to get less efficient. If your HVAC is over 10 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient unit, such as one that has earned the ENERGY STAR label.

Can an AC unit last 30 years?

Air conditioners can last 10-15 years depending on various factors, while HVAC systems can even go up to 30 years before needing to be replaced.