Coil Air Conditioner Systems

What You Need To Know About Coil Air Conditioner Systems

Your heating and air conditioning systems are some of the most important appliances in your home. Not only do they help you maintain a comfortable temperature, but they also account for a significant portion of your annual energy bills. This can make choosing the right system crucial. One of the most popular options for homeowners looking to minimize the comfort in their home is a split system with an interior furnace and an exterior coil air conditioner unit. If you have been looking to add air conditioning in your home and already have a furnace in place, adding a coil AC unit is a perfect option.

Our trained professionals at Superior Home Supplies know that one air conditioning solution does not fit every home and every homeowner's needs. Contact one of our team members today to discuss your specific cooling needs and find out if a coil air conditioning unit is the right choice for you.

 What is a coil air conditioner system?

Coil air conditioner systems are one of the most efficient options for cooling your home when you already have a working gas furnace. They install along the side of your home or in the attic or crawl space and connect to your interior furnace and existing ductwork system.

Coil air conditioning units are effective at cooling the inside of your home and reducing the overall humidity. They rely on an evaporator coil to absorb heat from the indoor air and a condenser coil to release the warm air outside. The system will then use your furnace ductwork to transport cold air to the rooms in your home.

What is the difference between a standard split system and a packaged system?

Air conditioning split systems consist of two units. Inside the home, there will be a unit that houses the evaporator coil, while the outdoor unit will house the compressor and the  AC condenser coil. In a packaged  AC system, all the components of your HVAC system are in one cabinet. A PTAC unit can be great for those who have less space or are looking to save on installation, but most homeowners prefer an air conditioning coil split system since they are more efficient.

What is the relationship between an evaporator coil unit, an AC condenser and coils?

The evaporator, compressor, refrigerant, and condenser in your AC system all work together to absorb warm air from your home, expel it outside, and deliver cooled air to the rooms in your home through a system or ductwork and vents. 

The compressor will pressurize the refrigerant in the evaporator coil, which turns it from a liquid to a gas state through evaporation so that it can absorb the hot air. The evaporator also pulls in moisture from the air to reduce humidity levels.

The refrigerant is then transferred to the air conditioner condenser coil in a hot-gas state, and the condenser fan blows the air across the coils to disperse the heat outside. After this step, the refrigerant will recool into a liquid form and return to the evaporator coil, where the cooling process will start over. Any interruption in this process can lead to problems in the unit, resulting in your system not working or blowing out warm air through the vents.

Should I choose a horizontal coil unit or a vertical fan coil unit?

When choosing an air conditioning coil unit, you will choose from conditioning coils that are horizontal or vertical. The choice will typically come down to where you want your AC coil unit to reside. Horizontal units are designed for placement in attics and crawl spaces, while vertical air conditioner coil units will be placed in basements if it is an up-flow system or in a utility closet if it is a downflow.

Should I choose cased or uncased coils?

Most homeowners will choose cased evaporator coils, typically A-coils, which are most often found in vertical coil units and can hold enough refrigerant to maximize efficiency, or N-coils, which are designed for horizontal coil units and operate at a high level of efficiency. Both options are extremely durable and easy to install.

While uncased evaporator coils are not the most popular option, they are the perfect solution when customization is required, and you need to accommodate a specific space.

What are the advantages of a coil air conditioner unit?

Choosing a coil AC unit for your central air conditioner needs has many benefits over other cooling options. Some of the pros of coil air conditioning units include:

• They work with many furnace options: It is not difficult to find a coil air conditioning unit that will work with your furnace system. There are many options and bands available, which means you can find the right unit to work with your current furnace and create an efficient HVAC system to handle all of your heating and cooling needs.

• You will enjoy reduced humidity: Your air conditioning coil unit works in two ways to bring down the temperature in your house. It uses refrigerant to draw out the heat from the air in your home and cool it down before returning it out through the vents. The AC evaporator coil unit also helps to draw moisture out of the air, reducing your home’s humidity and improving comfort.

• It produces less indoor noise: As long as the system is well maintained and the right size for your home, the system will produce less noise than some other cooling options, such as window AC units and portable air conditioning.

• It requires minimal maintenance: Maintenace is simple with a coil air conditioner unit. Aside from regular filter changes, you will simply need to keep your outdoor unit free from leaves and debris and have your system serviced once a year. During your annual service, your HVAC technician will clean your unit, check the refrigerant levels, and check over all parts for any needed repairs or replacement.

What are the disadvantages of an air conditioning coil unit?

While there are many benefits of a coil air conditioner cooling systems, there are also a few drawbacks that you should consider when making your decision. Some of the cons of AC coil units are:

• Sometimes there is a higher risk of damage: While coil units are designed to have an outdoor component, being exposed to the elements can make them more prone to possible damage in severe weather. Homeowners are advised to make sure branches and trees do not overhang the unit, which may reduce the possibility of damage from falling branches. Yet, if you live in an area with severe storms, there is a possibility of the unit becoming damaged.

• Installation can be more expensive: If you have been relying on window AC units or a portable cooling system, the installation of a coil AC unit can be an investment. Luckily the investment is not as high as installing an entirely new system since your coil unit can connect to your current furnace and use the same ductwork for airflow.

• The outdoor unit can be noisy: While you will enjoy a more quiet operation indoors with an air conditioning coil system, the outdoor unit can be rather noisy. This normally is not a problem, but you should avoid installing the exterior system close to a window, so the noise does not become bothersome when you are inside your home.

What type of maintenance do coil air conditioner units need?

Coil AC units will need the same AC maintenance as other systems. Service can be performed annually in areas with more temperate weather but may need to be done twice a year in areas with extremely high temperatures.

AC Coil cleaning is a crucial component of maintenance. If you have a dirty evaporator coil or any AC coils with buildup, the system's efficiency will be reduced, and eventually, the unit may become ineffective at delivering cool air into your home. Your service technician will inspect the unit for damaged or worn parts and perform a coil cleaning. The technician will also check your refrigerant levels and look for refrigerant leaks. If your refrigerant levels are low, more may need to be added.

Aside from annual or bi-annual maintenance, you will need to replace your air filters as often as the manufacturing specs require. This will help your system to work efficiently and also help you to maintain proper air quality levels in your home. Outdoor units will also need grass and vegetation around them maintained so that it does not get into the condenser unit.

Signs you need a new coil air conditioner unit

It is best not to wait until your coil AC unit fails to consider a replacement. Typically before the unit reaches the end of its longevity, it significantly loses its energy efficiency, which means you are likely experiencing higher utility costs due to a failing unit. It might be time to shop for a new AC coil system if:

• Your system is not cooling like it used to

• Your energy bills are higher than normal

• You hear strange or loud sounds coming from your system

• You are noticing increased humidity or moisture in your home

Is a coil AC unit a good choice for the home?

Whether you are replacing an old AC coil unit or adding one to your current HVAC system to enjoy central air conditioning in the summer, coil AC units are a great option for cooling needs in any type of climate. They can easily connect to your current ductwork, thermostat, and other HVAC components in your home, allowing you to have efficient heating and cooling whenever you need it.

Newer coil units are extremely energy-efficient and will last up to 10-15 years with proper maintenance. This will allow you to enjoy a more consistent and even cooling without a significant increase in your energy bills.

How much does a coil AC system cost?

Prices for coil AC systems can range widely, depending on the type of unit as well as the BTU. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2,200 to $6,000, with anywhere from $500 to $1,500 of that being labor costs for installation.

Let Superior Home Supplies help you with your coil AC unit needs

At Superior Home Supplies, we have made it our business to find the best products and appliances to provide for your home needs. Whether you are looking for a coil AC unit or want to discuss your HVAC options, we're here to help. Our trusted sales and customer service staff are waiting to assist you and ready to answer all of your HVAC unit questions. Contact us today to start your journey to a cooler and more comfortable home.