However, the difference between A/C evaporator and condenser coil is exactly reversed. While the evaporator coil picks up heat from indoor air, the condenser coil releases heat into outdoor air. High-pressure liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser coil makes a u-turn and flows back to the evaporator coil.

A vapor-compression (or mechanical) refrigeration system has four main components – an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and metering device.

Refrigerant flows through the compressor, which raises the pressure of the refrigerant. Next the refrigerant flows through the condenser, where it condenses from vapor form to liquid form, giving off heat in the process. The evaporator draws heat from the region that is to be cooled.

A condenser’s function is to allow high pressure and temperature refrigerant vapor to condense and eject heat. There are three main types: air-cooled, evaporative, and water-cooled condensers.

The purpose of the condenser is to receive the high-pressure gas from the compressor and convert this gas to a liquid. It does it by heat transfer, or the principle that heat will always move from a warmer to a cooler substance.

A condenser is designed to transfer heat from a working fluid (e.g. water in a steam power plant) to a secondary fluid or the surrounding air. As this process occurs along the condenser, the quantity of vapor decreases and the quantity of liquid increases; at the outlet of the condenser, only liquid remains.

Here are four parts of the condenser unit that can lower efficiency and start costing you money in increased energy bills when they suffer maintenance problems or breakdowns.

• Condenser Coil.
• Fan Blades.
• Run Capacitor.
• Evaporator Coil.

There are some additional sensors, timers and valves, but the evaporator, compressor, condenser and expansion valve are the main components of an air conditioner.

Most air conditioners have three major parts: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. These parts work together to cool the air. Hence, the repair costs for these are also quite high, and DIY-repairing them is not at all advisable.

The outside unit, called the a/c condenser, contains a compressor, cooling fins and tubes and a fan. The fan sucks air through the fins and cools a special coolant, which the compressor then pumps into the house to the evaporator through a copper tube.

3 Warning Signs You Have a Bad AC Condenser

• Loud and abnormal noises coming from the unit.
• Significantly reduced cooling capability from the unit.
• The unit is leaking a noticeable amount of fluid past the typical amount of condensation.

The compressor “squeezes” the gas. It actually changes the gas refrigerant into a liquid, which is used throughout the A/C system to eventually produce cold air. The condenser is responsible for taking the pressurized gas from the compressor and changing it into a liquid vapor.

Copper has a heat transfer coefficient higher than aluminium. That means, copper is a better heat exchanger than aluminium. 2) Cost and Pliability (The quality of being easily bent): Copper is costlier than aluminium, which increases the cost of making an air conditioner and thereby the price of air conditioner.

Condenser Coil Repair | Regulations for Refrigerant Leaks. The system holds approximately sixty-five pounds of R-22 refrigerant. The E.P.A. in accordance with the Montreal Protocol requires the system be repaired if it leaks more than fifty pounds of refrigerant a year.

Leaks are most often caused by corrosion. Any household water that contains fluoride could cause corrosion, as could many acidic products like cleaning products, paint or adhesives. One other factor that can create leaks in your condenser coil (especially ones with copper to aluminum connections) is vibration.

10 to 15 years

In order to replace the coil and fix your evaporator coil leak, a technician will need to recover the remaining refrigerant gas, and solder in a new coil after dismantling the air conditioner. A filter / drier must also be added or replaced to absorb moister and contaminants.

The average lifetime of an AC is approximately 10 to 15 years. After 15 years, your AC unit will break down more often. If you just serviced your unit a few months ago and something broke afterward, it may be time to replace it. Some coil cleaners can also weaken and disintegrate the outer lining of evaporator coils.

A broken air conditioner may be a result of a faulty AC evaporator….4 Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Conditioning Evaporator

1. The cool air is weak or no cold air is blowing at all.
2. You notice a strange odor when using your AC system.
3. The AC compressor will not activate.
4. The AC temperature will vary.

How to Test for Freon Leaks in Evaporator Coil

1. Attach the a/c gauge set to the vehicles service ports.
2. Add one can of refrigerant, containing leak detection dye, to the system with the engine running and the a/c controls in the vehicle set for “MAX A/C”.
3. Test drive for 15 minutes with a/c on “MAX A/C.

Replacing a home air conditioner’s evaporator coil costs $1,000 on average with a typical range of $600 to $2,000. About 40% of the bill comes from labor, or $400 to $1,000. Warranties range from five to 12 years and cover the price of materials.

The evaporator works the opposite of the condenser, here refrigerant liquid is converted to gas, absorbing heat from the air in the compartment. The evaporator removes heat from the area that is to be cooled. The desired temperature of cooling of the area will determine if refrigeration or air conditioning is desired.