Does your AC need a new coil?

There’s something called an evaporator coil in central AC systems. This coil contains refrigerant. When air is taken in from your environment (space), it passes over these coils and is then pushed back into the space. The warmth from the processed air is then brought outside the dwelling (the condenser’s job). When you experience inefficiency in cooling, especially when your system has been around for more than five years, it’s possible that the coil needs to be replaced due to damage from erosion over time. When there is erosion, there are usually cracks in the pipes, leading to refrigerant leaking and thereby interfering with the cooling process.

Central AC systems’ evaporator coil replacement can cost in the range of $800 to $1,200 — if you include the replacement coil (which even under warranty, can cost several hundred dollars), labor and disposal of your original coil which typically contains refrigerant (that by law must be properly disposed of). We typically take about 3 hours to replace a central AC evaporator coil.

Note, however, that if your system is eight or more years old, replacement coils made today may not always match the overall system. When there is a mismatch, one can typically expect less efficiency. We can help you make the judgment call as to whether to replace a part or get a new system altogether, based on what you have, how long you’ve had it, and testing efficiencies in your system. An on-site inspection will allow us to diagnose the problem, and recommend a solution together with a quote that includes labor and parts (or system replacement) pricing.