Vertical Or Horizontal Evaporator Coil: What Is Better?

One of the crucial factors to take into account when selecting your HVAC system is the arrangement of the evaporator coils. Are there significant variations between coils that are vertical and horizontal? Which one should you choose if so?

Your installation area should be your primary concern before deciding on a horizontal or vertical evaporator coil. Vertical evaporator coils are typically fitted to encourage vertical airflow. The horizontal evaporator coil is an alternative to think about nevertheless if your installation space is limited.

We shall go into great detail about evaporator coils in this article. This will cover the characteristics of each configuration, the different kinds, and other pertinent data.

What Is The Better AC Evaporator Coil?

The two most common arrangements for AC evaporator coils are vertical and horizontal. Your ACs’ efficiency depends on the arrangement you choose. Let’s examine each coil arrangement in more detail so you can determine which one best suits your needs.

Vertical AC Evaporator Coil

When picking your coil arrangement, installation space is a key consideration. Vertical air movement is equivalent to vertical arrangement. The blower fan’s location determines whether air is moving up or down.

Under the coils of blower fans installed in basement installations, air is forced upward. Due to the fact that hot air in evaporator coils naturally rises, this is seen as energy-efficient. Vertical evaporator coils suitable for people with enough basement area.

Your vertical evaporator coil can be installed in the attic if you don’t have a basement. Warm air is discharged at the bottom end of attic units since the blower fan is located above the evaporator coils. This results in an inefficient down-flow of air movement.

Horizontal AC Evaporator Coil

Due to the alignment of the evaporator and blower fans, horizontal coils require less space. This can be fitted in small attics or crawl spaces. The air is pulled in from one side and ejected from the other end in this design. This is less efficient than up-flow in terms of energy usage.

What Are The Different Types Of Evaporators?

Evaporator coils come in a variety of options on the market. These options come in both cased and uncased varieties. They are either vertical or horizontal evaporator coils depending on their case layout.

Evaporator Coils With Cases

The most popular evaporator coils for household and commercial use are those that are enclosed. These kinds, which are enclosed in a metal casing, are popular due to their strength and simplicity of installation. Additional variations exist for cased evaporator coils.

N Coils

The name “coils” refers to the shape of the coils. The capital letter “N” can be seen in the shape of N coils. They are comparable in size to other varieties yet equally effective. This explains why N coils function well in both horizontal and vertical case arrangements.

A Coils

A coils were given their name because, like N coils, they resemble the capital “A.” The vertical case layout is frequently utilized with these coils. A coils have a large contact surface and are very effective.

V Coils

The newest form of coil on the market, the V coil, is still gaining popularity. It is typically contained in a casing that is vertically orientated, similar to A coils. This kind’s advantage over other evaporator coil types is that it is simpler to install. Additionally, accessing the coil does not require the use of tools because there isn’t a delta plate.

Slab Coils

This coil type has a straightforward slab shape. The least frequent evaporator coil is this one. It can only fit in a horizontal case layout due to its form.

Evaporator Coils Without Cases

Evaporator coils without cases can be used with either horizontal or vertical air conditioners. They are less clumsy and more versatile to install because there is no external case. You will need assistance installing it though because this kind is often designed to accommodate unique AC units. N coils and A coils are the two most prevalent varieties of uncased evaporator coils.

Care Instructions For Evaporator Coil

The efficiency of your AC is greatly influenced by how well you maintain its evaporator and condenser coils. Here are some suggestions on how to take care of your evaporator coils to help you maintain your air conditioner operating at peak efficiency.

1. Clean Or Replace Your Air Filters On A Regular Basis
   Filters that are dirty impact airflow and your AC’s effectiveness. Additionally, it can make your evaporator coils dirty, which would reduce heat absorption. You can save 5% to 15% on your energy bill by cleaning or replacing your air filters every two months in addition to assisting in keeping your coils clean.
2. Follow A Regular Service Schedule
   Your air conditioner will last you 10 to 15 years if you take good care of it. The same is true of evaporator coils. Your air conditioner should ideally be serviced twice a year, once before winter and once before summer.

How To Determine If An Evaporator Coil Needs To Be Replaced

Even with precautions, evaporator coils are susceptible to damage. Look for the following symptom to determine whether your evaporator coils need to be replaced:

The AC Is Blowing Warm Air

The purpose of evaporator coils is to cool warm air by drawing it in. A damaged evaporator coil could be to blame if your air conditioner starts to blast hot air. There are several potential causes for the heated air coming from your appliance.

There Is A Water Leak From The Indoor Unit

Evaporator coils that are frosted may be the source of water seeping from your indoor unit. Leaks in the system’s refrigerant could be the cause. When the coils develop cracks due to normal wear and tear, leaks result.

Strange Noises From AC

If the evaporator coils are damaged, you might hear hissing or bubbling. That noise is the compressed refrigerant escaping through the coils. Better call the experts for the necessary repair if you notice these noises coming from your air conditioner.

Evaporator Coil Replacement Procedure

You will need to have technical understanding on how to handle refrigerants in order to replace your evaporator coils. To be thorough, you should also find the leak on the evaporator coil. This is where leak detectors can be useful.

Here is a tutorial you can use if you think you can replace your evaporator coils on your own:

1. Take the refrigerant out.
   Disconnect the device from its power source before handling any electrical parts, including the coil. Using a scroll compressor, compress the refrigerant to low pressure.
2. Liquid line must be closed.
   The valve caps should be unfastened with a service wrench. The liquid pressure and suction should both fall to 10 PSI. At the same time, close the suction valve.
3. Take out the previous evaporator coil.
   Cut the tube coming in and going out. Remove any outdated line dryers and install new ones in their place. Observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Plug the cut lines’ ends temporarily to stop oil from leaking in.
4. The new evaporator coil should be replaced.
   The replacement coil is accompanied by a new metering system and drain pan. Verify that the retaining clips are in place and that the replaced coils are level. Reassemble the tubes with care while nitrogen is flowing at 3 to 5 SCFH. Reattaching and properly sealing the drain pipe.
5. Run the program.
   Test all of your joints for pressure and bubbles after the tubes have been welded back into place. Turn the device on and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes to evaluate system performance.

Along with fulfilling the labor requirements, you must match the capacity and SEER rating of the new and old evaporator coils. Incompatible components will reduce your system’s lifespan and performance. A mismatched replacement for an old evaporator coil could violate your appliance’s warranty.

The model and serial number of your coil should be known as a result. The data sticker on the item will provide all the information you require.

Closing

Overall, the area you have will determine which evaporator is best for you. But as of right moment, we are aware that the performance of an evaporator coil is unaffected by its orientation. The coils will continue to function effectively for a very long period if they are properly maintained. It is still preferable to get in touch with your service provider if you find that you need to replace your coils.