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.
Should I replace the evaporator coil or the entire unit?
Although they are separate components they are designed to work together. If you just replace the evaporator coil, you can run into problems. A good rule of thumb is if your AC unit is over 8 years old, you should replace the entire unit.
Why would an evaporator coil need to be replaced?
The main reason that an evaporator coil would fail and need to be replaced is due to erosion. Over time, the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator’s coils wears down the inner lining, making the coils weaker. Certain evaporator coil cleaners can also corrode and weaken the outer lining of the coils.
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 is the average cost to replace a evaporator coil?
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.
How long should a evaporator coil last?
10 to 15 years
If proper maintenance is regularly performed, then the evaporator coils should last 10 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.
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.
How can you tell if an evaporator coil is bad?
Signs of Damaged Evaporator Coil Components
- Air coming from the vents is warm.
- Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn’t properly cool your home.
- Air conditioner does not turn on.
- Refrigerant leak near the indoor cooling system components.
- Unusual noises from the cooling system, such as banging or hissing.
How does an evaporator coil go bad?
Water travels through the coil at 2-5 feet every second, making erosion an enormous part of coil failure, regardless of how well-maintained it is. Erosion is always there, whether you realize it or not. Water/steam treatment and the corrosive effects of bad steam/water can all be causes of coil failure over time.
What causes an AC evaporator coil to leak?
Leaks in the evaporator coils are primarily caused by a chemical reaction between the copper they’re made from, high humidity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Together, they combine to create formic acid that corrodes the copper. VOCs are gases that many common household products emit.
How much does it cost to replace a 3 ton evaporator coil?
The typical price to replace your evaporator coil by unit size is: 2 ton: $550. 2.5 ton: $675. 3 ton: $825.
Can Freon leaks be fixed?
Can Freon leak in AC be fixed? If you’re certain your AC system is leaking, the best thing you can do is call an HVAC professional. Never try to fix Freon leaks by yourself! While a service technician can add more Freon to fix the charge, the problem won’t be gone until the cause of the leak is resolved.
How long should an AC unit last?
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.
How do you maintain an evaporator coil?
That’s why you should know how to properly maintain the evaporator coil of your AC.
Here are some tips:
- Clean or change the air filter regularly.
- Keep plants away from the outside unit.
- Clear out the debris around the condenser unit.
- Schedule routine maintenance checks.
How much does a new coil cost for an air conditioner?
Condenser Coil Costs
| Coil Capacity | Part Only | Installation Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5-2.0 ton | $575 – $800 | $475 – $650 |
| 2.5 ton | $625 – $975 | $535 – $750 |
| 3.0 ton | $735 – $1,055 | $600 – $835 |
| 3.5 ton | $775 – $1,025 | $775 – $985 |
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 I just replace my 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.
Which is better aluminum or copper evaporator coil?
Copper is harder to damage than aluminum, provides better heat transfer and is easier to clean. Modern engineering eliminates the majority of galvanic corrosion. The prices of the units continue to remain considerably higher than AC equipment constructed with aluminum condensing coils.
Are aluminum evaporator coils better than copper?
The aluminum coils have an oxidation protection which copper does not offer. All-aluminum coils prevent formicary corrosion and will not rust as much over time like copper. The aluminum coils are also more resistant to pinhole leaks giving a longer lifespan to your HVAC system.
Which AC brand is best?
Here are some Best AC Brands in Indian for 2021:
- Voltas – “Indian” Company. …
- Blue Star – “Indian Company” …
- Llyod – “Indian” Company. …
- Whirlpool – United States” Company. …
- LG – “South Korean” Company. …
- Panasonic – “Japanese” Company. …
- Daikin – “Japanese” Company. …
- Hitachi – “Japan” Company.
Which coil is better for AC?
Copper is a better heat exchange than aluminium coils means copper coil can cool the room much faster, efficiently than aluminium coil. This makes air conditioner much more electricity saving one.
