The Basics of Air Conditioning Coils

Stepping into a cool home on a hot summer day can be one of the nicest feelings in the world—as long as your air conditioner is working right. But if your coils are dirty and you need air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA you might not know that feeling. Dirty coils mean your system will not run efficiently and you are going to start feeling the heat. So here is a quick review of what AC coils are, how they should work, what happens when they get dirty.

What are AC Coils and How do They Work?

The air conditioning doesn’t produce cold air like the furnace produces warm air. What happens is the AC uses coolant, or refrigerant, to absorb the heat from the inside air, carry it outside, and release it. The evaporator coils and condenser coils handle both sides of the cooling cycle.

The evaporator coil is inside near the air handler. It is usually a series of tubes made of copper, steel or aluminum bent into U-shapes and set into panels positioned in an A-form. Thin pieces of metal known as “fins” line the panels and bring the passing air closer to the coils for cooling. When the AC runs the compressor pulls the refrigerant through the evaporator coil and it absorbs heat from the air and evaporates into a warm refrigerant gas.

The condenser coil completes the second half of the cooling cycle. The condenser coil is a series of tubes and fins inside the large outdoor unit. After the refrigerant absorbs the heat it travels via copper tubing to the condenser unit outside. The refrigerant gas enters the compressor where it gets pressurized and becomes a hot, high-pressure gas. The gas leaves the compressor and enters the condenser coils. A fan blows air over the coils so the refrigerant loses the heat and changes from a hot gas to a hot liquid. From there it flows through copper tubes back into the home. It flows to the expansion valve which relieves pressure to rapidly cool the refrigerant and it cycles through the entire system again.

What Happens When AC Coils Get Dirty?

There is already limited space between the coils. Then surface moisture and air flowing in and out can cause debris to build up. Eventually, it will get so bad the debris can impact the coils ability to transfer heat. And if they become too blocked it can even stop airflow intake, which is crucial for the overall function of the system. Dirty coils can cause increased operating temperatures, reduced comfort, less efficient cooling, higher energy bills, and increased wear and tear on the system. You will want to get your air conditioning repaired and the coils cleaned on a regular basis.

In San Jose, CA most people can’t imagine spending a summer without air conditioning. But when the AC breaks down it can happen on occasion. The best way to keep your coils clean and your system in good shape is with routine air conditioning repair in San Jose, CA. Hire a trusted HVAC technician from Pelle Heating & Air Conditioniong. We take great pride in our work and offer top of the line service. To schedule a cleaning call (408) 978-7060. Or if you have more questions about AC coils stop by 1045 N 10th St., San Jose, CA 95112