Learn All About How Condenser Coils Work in Your HVAC Unit

What is your knowledge of an HVAC system’s components and how they work? Even though your HVAC professional will handle all necessary maintenance and repairs, it is still a very interesting topic. For instance, what are condenser coils? How do they work, and how do you make sure they are maintained properly?

Condenser Coils and Evaporator Coils

In order to understand the condenser coil, we first need to talk about the evaporator coil. Both are part of the outdoor unit of your AC. In the evaporator, the refrigerant expands, turning from a liquid into a gas. That gas then absorbs the heat from the home’s air, cooling it down before it circulates it back through your home.

From there, the refrigerant heads into the compressor, which pressurizes the gas, and then it finally goes into the condenser, where it turns back into a liquid. As the refrigerant condenses, the heat that it absorbed in gas form is vented outside.

In a heat pump, this process is reversed in the winter. The evaporator coil expels heat from the refrigerant into the home instead of absorbing it and taking it outdoors.

Maintenance for Condenser Coil

Since the condenser coil is outside, it will get clogged with debris over time. This can restrict the airflow, preventing the system from working effectively and forcing it to use more power. To prevent this, the condenser should be cleaned periodically.

Ideally, your coil should be cleaned twice a year, but depending on your environment, it may need attention more often. For instance, if a lot of dust tends to get kicked up around your unit, it can become clogged more quickly. Likewise, if there are bushes or tall grass nearby, the debris can get into the system, restricting the airflow.

This is why heating and cooling system maintenance is so important. Cleaning the condenser is just one of the tasks that your HVAC professional will perform to ensure the system runs as efficiently as possible.

For all your home or business heating and cooling needs, contact us at Jackson & Sons. Eastern North Carolina trusts us for quality home-comfort solutions.