Air conditioner coils need to be replaced periodically due to buildup of sludge from airborne pollutants. The rule of thumb is that coils probably should be replaced after 10 years, but they may have to be changed even sooner. Air conditioner coils should also be replaced if modifications are made to a building, requiring a bigger draw of air conditioning, or if a new refrigerant is introduced.
Air conditioner coils consist of evaporator coils, condenser coils, and chilled water coils. Depending on the manufacturer of the condenser unit, coils are made of several different materials including, copper, brass, stainless steel, cupronickel, or aluminum. Replacement coils should match the originals, but the material could be changed if the HVAC unit is in a highly corrosive environment.
One of the primary reasons that air conditioner coils need to be replaced is that they become constricted over time decreasing the efficiency of the HVAC unit dramatically. Poorly functioning coils can drive up energy costs by as much as 40 percent. Air conditioning already counts for a huge portion of any building’s total energy costs. Like clogged arteries, constricted coils make the HVAC unit work harder and perform less.
Maintenance of Air Conditioner Coils
Evaporator coils and condenser coils are designed to work together like two pieces of a puzzle. If an evaporator coil goes bad and starts leaking, some technicians would only changes that coil. That is a mistake, because both the evaporator and condenser coils should be changed simultaneously.
The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, or ARI, is a trade organization, commonly recognized as the authority on HVAC agenda in North America. ARI sets minimum technical standards for HVAC equipment and air conditioner coils. When replacement air conditioner coils are ARI certified, that means they meet or exceed a certain level of quality determined by ARI.
Large buildings such as high-rises, warehouses, hospitals, and malls, usually have several large condensing units on their rooftops. These condensers are packed with miles and miles of coils. Over time, probably all the coils will have to be replaced. Plant managers, facility managers, and air conditioning repairmen all know how expensive it can be to replace air conditioner coils. It may seem expensive to replace old coils, but not nearly as expensive as the increased energy costs related to bad coils.
Ordering New Air Conditioner Coils
When technicians, and building managers need air conditioner coils, they depend on suppliers who have years of experience in the HVAC field. When an air conditioner breaks down, you probably understand what chaos ensues. Companies can loose millions of dollars due to low productivity, damaged merchandise, and lawsuits. Technicians need to know that they will get the correct parts the first time they order them, and fast delivery.
Competitive suppliers of HVAC parts have thousands of air conditioner coils on hand, made to order for all the top manufacturers of HVAC equipment. All of the parts are ARI, or UL certified and tested. If they don’t have the coils, they can probably custom build them. The best suppliers of HVAC coils and parts have developed convenient order forms for their clients to fax in for quotes and specifications. In addition, the top distributors of HVAC parts offer 24-hour customer service and emergency delivery.