By Anne Fonda
The indoor HVAC coil, or evaporator coil plays a key role in any air conditioning or heat pump system. During warm weather, the AC evaporator coil efficiently absorbs heat and removes humidity from your indoor air so that you can enjoy being cool, dry, and comfortable. In a heat pump, the evaporator coil performs a dual role in year-round comfort: cooling and dehumidifying your air when it’s warm, and warming the air when the weather gets chilly.
The heat pump or AC is located in the HVAC unit inside your home. It may be inside the air handler in a heat pump system or a separate HVAC unit next to the furnace. It’s also sometimes known as the “A” coil, because of its shape.
American Standard® indoor coils come in a wide range of models to fit any budget or installation, but they all work the same, using a grid of tubes and fins to cool or heat the air. Their patented all-aluminum coil design makes them more efficient, easier to clean, and more corrosion-resistant than standard evaporator coils—plus, the enhanced fin design offers superior humidity control when it’s humid outside.
Your air conditioning or heat pump system has two coils: the indoor coil and the outdoor coil, known in the HVAC industry as the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. The condenser coil is housed in the outdoor unit, which is why that unit is sometimes called the condenser unit.
The two coils and other system parts work together to heat and cool refrigerant to heat and cool your home.
Three main problems can occur with evaporator coils.
Evaporator coil replacement is not cheap. It can cost between $600 and $2,000, according to Architectural Digest. This cost covers the cost of the coil as well as the labor to remove the oil coil, recover the refrigerant, install the new coil, and replace the refrigerant.
Depending on the age and condition of your HVAC system, you may want to consider putting the money you might spend on repairs into a new, more efficient system. Consult our Repair or Replace Guide for more information.
To schedule air conditioning or heat pump repair, contact your local American Standard dealer.
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
The condenser coil is the outdoor coil found in your cooling system. It works together with the evaporator coil to complete the heat exchange cycle by providing a means for heat to be released.
Located in the outdoor condenser unit, the outdoor or condenser coil releases heat that the refrigerant absorbs inside at the indoor coil/evaporator coil.
Refrigerant is the lifeblood of an air conditioner or heat pump, responsible for absorbing, carrying, and releasing heat to achieve and maintain your desired temperature.
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