The central air system in your Dayton-area home consists of many parts and components. The two parts responsible for heat exchange, which heats and cools your home, are the HVAC evaporator and the condenser coils. Read on to learn how HVAC coils do their jobs, the impact of neglecting them, and how to properly maintain the coils.
How HVAC Coils Work
The role of the HVAC coils is to exchange heat energy between the forced airflow blowing across the coils and the refrigerant circulating inside the coils. In a heat pump system, the indoor evaporator coil can both absorb heat energy for cooling and expel heat energy for home heating. The evaporator coil of a central AC system only absorbs heat energy for home cooling.
The condenser coil is located in the outdoor portion of a heat pump or central AC system. In regards to heat energy exchange, the condenser coil does the opposite of the evaporator coil. That is, when the evaporator is absorbing heat energy, the condenser expels heat energy and vice versa.
Impact of Neglected HVAC Coils
The major culprit of hampering HVAC coil heat exchange is the buildup of dirt and grime. Even a thin layer of grime on the evaporator and condenser coils dramatically reduces the efficiency of heat exchange between forced airflow and the refrigerant. The result is higher energy bills and unnecessary HVAC wear and tear.
Another culprit for reducing HVAC coil efficiency is a clogged air filter. A dirty and clogged filter substantially reduces airflow across the evaporator coil. This reduces the ability of your HVAC system to cool and heat your home. It may also cause ice to accumulate on the evaporator or condenser, which can damage the HVAC system.
Maintaining HVAC Coils
HVAC coils need regular professional maintenance from your HVAC technician. During maintenance, your technician will properly clean the coils and check the refrigerant level. Each of these tasks are essential to optimize HVAC performance.
If you would like to schedule professional maintenance to maintain your HVAC coils and system in your Dayton-area home, contact Ace Hardware Home Services.
