Evaporator coil vs condenser coil: What is the difference? How do they work together? Simple! An evaporator coil stays inside and absorbs the heat from your home, while an evaporator coil stays outdoors and releases the heat. In a continuous cycle facilitated by the refrigerant, they cool your home efficiently.
Learning the differences and similarities between evaporator and condenser coils is fundamental to understanding your HVAC system. This article provides a complete guide on these two vital components. Start reading to be well-informed about them!
What Is The Difference Between A Condenser Coil And An Evaporator Coil?
The evaporator coil is located inside your home, in the indoor unit. It is responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air, cooling it down before it is circulated back into your home. The evaporator coil is cold to the touch because it works with refrigerant to extract heat from the air, creating a cooling effect.
On the other hand, the condenser coil is situated outside your home in the outdoor unit. Its primary role is to release the heat that has been absorbed by the refrigerant in the evaporator coil. The condenser coil is hot to the touch due to the heat it dissipates.
If you suspect you have any AC condenser problems, read this article prepared by homeyou's specialists.
How Condenser And Evaporator Coils Work Together?
The condenser coil and evaporator coil function together in a continuous cycle facilitated by the refrigerant. Check out a simplified breakdown of their collaborative process below.
- Absorption Of Heat: The refrigerant enters the evaporator coil as a low-pressure liquid. As the indoor air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, causing it to evaporate into a low-pressure gas and cooling the air in the process.
- Compression: The low-pressure gas refrigerant is then transported to the compressor, which is compressed into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas. AC coil leak repairs are sometimes necessary, especially when the system is older and frequently used.
- Release Of Heat: The high-pressure gas moves to the condenser coil. As it passes through the condenser coil, the refrigerant releases the absorbed heat to the outside air, condensing it back into a high-pressure liquid.
- Expansion: The high-pressure liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion valve, reducing its pressure and temperature before it returns to the evaporator coil to repeat the cycle.
This continuous loop effectively cools the indoor air, maintaining a comfortable home environment. Cleaning the air conditioner coils is an essential regular maintenance task as the coils' synchronized operation is crucial for the efficiency and performance of your HVAC system.
In case you need to service either your evaporator coil or condenser coil, reach out to homeyou's HVAC contractors. They will take care of all the components of your AC with precision and professionalism.