Know About HVAC Systems Coils: Hydrophobic Coated, Chilled Water and Condenser Coils!

Hydrophobic coated coil, chilled water coils, cooling coils or condenser coils are basically heat exchangers that help to transfer heat between two mediums. These are specially designed for space heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators and car radiators. The coils have a complex set of internal tubing system that is used to manage heat or cool air transferring functions.

What are the functions of coils?

The process of air conditioning involves refrigerant gas that changes from gaseous to liquid state by compression and again comes back to the gaseous state by absorbing heat from the inside and blowing out the hot/humid air exhaust fans. The condenser coils help in the refrigeration process that majorly goes through 4 major stages –

• Compression – With the help of coils, the gas is pressurized and converted into a high-pressure hot liquid.
• Condensation – The liquid then flows through the coils condenses into a cold liquid state.
• Expansion valve – The expansion valves convert high-pressure liquid to low pressure liquid.
• Evaporation – The low-pressure liquid is transferred through an evaporation coil, absorbs the heat from inside the rooms and changes from liquid to gaseous state. For split air conditioners this process occurs in the indoor unit unlike other HVAC systems. 

The process of absorbing the heat from inside and transferring it outside is performed through various types of coils, include hydrophobic coated coils, Chilled water coils, condenser coils, evaporator coils, or cooling coils. The working principle remains the same only the size of the HVAC systems changes or varies. However, the types of coils used may affect the efficiency of the HVAC systems. This is because, the material used to make the coils, their sizes, ease of cleaning and maintenance – everything plays a significant role in the operation and functioning of HVAC systems.

What to look for in the coils when buying an HVAC system?

The two major things to keep in consideration while buying coils for your HVAC system include –

Quality of the cooling coils - The primary thing to consider is the quality of the cooling coils. Low performing coils fail to serve the purpose. For quality, you need to make sure that the coils are electric and fire resistant to avoid short circuits.

Definite about the Tube Bundle Varieties - Be definite on the type of coil tube bundles that you are planning to buy as nowadays, a wide variety of coils are available in the market that may make you confuse. While buying you need to consider that the coils are perfect match for your HVAC system. For this, what you need to do is browse through different types of electrical appliance websites, match the details such as coil’s length, thickness, width, model number and the material from which they are made up of. Place your order and buy the coils accordingly!

Reasons behind Leaks in Evaporator Coils and How to Prevent Them!

Evaporator coils and condenser coils make for two of the most essential components of an air conditioning unit. The coils are not only responsible for transferring heat and helping in the cooling and heating process, but also in allowing the refrigerant to move out of the system. These typically make the air conditioner perform its function in the most effective and efficient manner.

Factors Responsible for Leaks

Sometimes, due to certain factors, the coils wither and cause leaks. Let’s take a look at these factors:-

Physical damage:– This is typically one of the most common reasons behind leaks in both, evaporator and condenser coils. A damage to the coils makes the system to dysfunction.  Severe damages, on the other hand, may even lead to permanent vandalism of the system.

Chemical reactions:- Certain substances present in the coils, known as volatile organic components, reacts with the metal of the AHU coils and cause chemical reactions therein. These volatile components include aerosol sprays, cleaning solutions, air fresheners, or emissions from furnishings. The acid produced due to the chemical reaction causes corrosion, which further eats the coils and paves way for leaks to form.

Formic acid corrosion-: Some chemical reactions, as explained in the above point, cause the formation of formic acids. These develop in and around the evaporator coils, which further leads to the leaks in the coils. Usually such kind of reasons take place copper, oxygen and water.

Ways to Prevent Leaks in Coils

There are an array of ways which can help prevent leaks in condenser as well as evaporator coils. These are as follows:-

Replace copper:- Though coils made of copper are an ideal choice but the metal type reacts quite quickly with water and oxygen, which apparently is readily available in the surrounding environment. The best is to replace them with materials which do not produce any chemical reasons, such as aluminium.

Clean and Maintain the Coils:- Time to time cleaning and maintenance of the coils helps in removing acid, bacteria and other materials that cause harm to the condenser and evaporator coils or obstruct the airflow.

Eliminate the presence of Volatile components:- Restrict the use of products that contain volatile components such as cleaning solutions, air fresheners, etc., especially in the vicinity of the coils.

Increase the flow of air:- The best way to increase the flow air and ventilation around the AHU coils is by removing the presence of volatile components from the air surrounding the coils.

Ways to Know Whether your Condenser Coils for Condensing Units need Cleaning!

Condenser coils for condensing units make for one of the most important parts of the appliance. These typically wrap around the fringe of the condenser and the fan affixed inside pulls air through it, allowing the refrigerant to lose heat inside the coil. If you notice carefully, even the slightest of issue with the condenser coils causes the entire appliance to dysfunction. Hence, is the reason manufacturers always recommend buys the get the condensers cleaned from time to time.

So, what exactly happens when you skip servicing of your condensing units? In addition to the fact that your condenser would stop cooling as effectively as it should, these are a few other consequences as well. These are as follows:-

• Higher electricity Bills – When the condenser coils for condensing units are dirty, they make the system work harder to keep pace with cooling needs. This means that the appliance makes use of significantly more electricity and hence, aids in a higher electricity bill. While on the other hand, if you clean them on a regular basis, you’ll see a drop in the electricity unit consumption.
• More Breakdowns – The next major point is that when the appliances run or work for a longer period of time, they put more pressure on the system, causing the internal parts to wear out faster than usual. Hence, cause damage.
• Shorter Lifespan – This is yet another thing that happens when you do not take care of the condenser coils for condensing units. They wear and tear sooner than later and decrease the lifespan of the appliance.

Post understanding this, let’s take a look at how to define how often you must get your appliance and the condensing units cleaned.

As a general rule, you must clean the appliance at least once in 6 months to enhance its functionality. Below mentioned are factors that indicate you need a cleaning session more frequent.

• Age and Condition of the Equipment – The older the appliance, the more it shall be prone to accumulating dirt
• Usage – Analyse the number of hours the condenser works and what is its occupancy for the space? The higher the load, the more dirt shall sprawl across the system and make it dysfunctional.
• Location – If your appliance is affixed in a location that’s surrounded by high pollution, a construction site or an on-going demolition site, the chances of the unit getting exposed dirt are the highest. And, hence, the cleaning of the appliance must be done more than once in 6 months.

How Do Condenser and Evaporator Coils Work? How They Are Different?

Hydrophilic coated evaporator coils and copper condenser coils, otherwise also known as cooling coils, are placed in the air conditioning systems. These primarily help in completing the heat exchange process of the units, which is the basic function of the refrigerated cooling coils. They form a continuous loop, but perform different functions.

How do evaporator coils work?

Hydrophilic coated evaporator coils are located inside the blower compartment of the air conditioners. They are responsible for holding the chilled refrigerants so that the compressors move into it. As the hot air from the blower fan moves over evaporator coils, these cold refrigerants along with Chilled water coils remove the heat from the indoors, become warmer and transport the air to the condenser coils located in the outside part of the AC unit.

How condenser coils work?

Copper condenser coils are placed inside the outdoor unit along with the compressor, pipes, and valves. The warm and gaseous air flows through the evaporator coils to the compressor which pressurizes the air and transports it into the condenser coils. As soon as it reaches the cold refrigerants (condenser coils) nestled in the outside system, the blower fans blow the hot air across the coils and cools the inside temperature. The cold air, then blows back inside the home. This cooling cycle keeps on continuing!

What are the three main points to consider when buying evaporator and condenser coils?

The engineering behind making the evaporator and condenser coils are fairly complex in nature. Therefore, in order to meet the highest level of energy efficiency and comfort, the coils need to be:–

Perfectly matched – Before purchasing a new air conditioning system, one should always ask the HVAC contractor to verify that both the type of coils perfectly complements each other. This needs to be specially done if one is going to purchase a split Ac system – the most common type of residential HVAC equipment. If the coils do not match correctly, the energy costs tend to rise, and the system won’t be able to perform well.

Leak free – The coils should be free from leaks. If there is any leak, it tends to lose refrigerant in proportion to the size of the leak. Without enough refrigerant, the coils get frozen and stop the cooling process. This can severely damage the compressor of the AC unit.

Clean from dirt – Both the coil should be free from dust and dirt, to perform best and efficiently. Coils covered in dust layers act as an insulator that obstructs the function of the coils.

4 Resolutions to Maintaining the Health of your HVAC Systems!

Many petty things in life actually deserve equal importance than your personal self. No, I’m not talking about going to the gym or keep a check on your diet (though they make for essential day-to-day activities), but I’m talking about taking care of your home and its appliances. This year, take a resolution to maintain the health of your HVAC system, especially condenser coils for condensing units and make way for an easy, comfort driven life.

Check and Change Filter

Air filter makes for an essential part of the HVAC system and also of your home’s air quality. If the air filter is not cleaned on a regular basis, dirt accumulated in it that demeans the quality of the air, which in turn, affects the air that we breathe in. Furthermore, a dirty air filter also makes the HVAC system work harder increasing the risk of the system’s failure. It is, therefore, strongly advised that you must clean the air filter at least once a month.

Schedule Two Tune-ups

Opt for a system tune-up at least once in six months – typically once at the start of the spring season and next before the end of the autumn. During these checks make sure the technicians checks the working of the AHU coils, maps the efficiency of the entire unit and even repairs damages if any. If the technician suggests a replacement of the coils, ensure to opt for condenser coils manufacturers as that of the original coils. Replacing with a different make not always serves as a benefit.

Use the thermostat in a More Efficient Manner

Are you in need for a programmable thermostat? Now is the time to get one installed! A programmable thermostat aids in using it in a much more effective and efficient manner, maintain the health of the appliance and even cut that extra electricity cost you’ve been paying for months now. Set the thermostat in a way that you get a comfortable home and save money.

Duct Cleaning is Necessary

Similar to air filters, a duct cleaning is also essential. Dust mites, molds, and mildew, all can live inside the duct and cause the appliance to dysfunction. This, in turn, can cause a problem for you and your family. Hence, when you call in a technician to clean the air filter and the hydrophobic coated coils, make sure to ask him to clean the ducts as well. Also, look for any kind of damage or leaks and get them repaired right away.

The health of your HVAC appliance indirectly defines the health of your family. Take a resolution to keep your home appliances in check and live a leisure life.

6 useful Tips For The Maintenance of Window AC Units!

Window air conditioners make for efficient home cooling means during the scorching summer season. A proper maintenance of these types of condensers is of utmost importance. Appropriate cleaning of the AC units and their condenser coils helps in maintaining and improving their efficiency, reducing energy consumption as well as preventing repairing cost. But how to go about it? Here are some useful tips to maintaining the health of window air conditioners:-

1. Monthly cleaning of the air filters – The air filters are easily accessible by just removing the front panel of the AC. The filters should be gently cleaned with warm water, dish soap or white vinegar solution. In case of damage, they must be replaced immediately to restore its smooth functionality.
   
2. Check for insects, flies and other animal residuals – If the window AC is left uncovered for a long time, one needs to check for wasps and bee nests that can be found inside the unit. This type of problem should be avoided beforehand by keeping the AC covered. Special AC covers are available in the market that help keeping insects, bees and rodents away.
   
3. Cleaning of condensers – The condenser coils for condensing units like window ACs need proper cleaning and maintenance at regular intervals. This is because condenser coils are prone to dust and dirt. The build-up of dust acts as a hindrance in the cooling process of the conditioning unit. As a result, it increases the energy consumption and the monthly electricity bill. For cleaning the condenser coils, the conditioner cabinet should be removed completely so that the coils can be accessed easily. The coils can be cleaned using a soft bristle brush and a soap solution laden spray bottle to wipe the dirt off. It is important to clean the coils with great care to avoid bending or denting of the aluminium fins. One can also use a handy fin comb to straighten them out properly.
   
4. Cleaning the water pan – To prevent mould and musty odour in the air, dish detergent liquid or white vinegar can be used to clean the inside base of the AC unit.
   
5. Inspect the cooling coils for ice build-up – If the outside temperature, where the AC is installed, becomes cold (i.e. - 5 degree Celsius or lower), it is suggested to check for the condenser coils from time to time and clean the frost build-up using a thin fin comb.

Electrical appliances call for the need to be cleaned and maintained from time to time to keep them from functioning property. Adhere to the above mentioned tips and enhance your window AC’s quality of life.

Types of Condensers and Their Functions

Coil manufacturing companies in India produce condenser coils for condensing units. A condenser is primarily a device that is used to liquefy gas by cooling it. In the Central Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, the hot discharged gas called refrigerant vapour from the compressor enters into the condensing coils and performs the basic cooling function. The condenser coils in refrigerator and AC are placed along with the compressors of the condensing units. Condensers are primarily available in a plethora of shapes, sizes and designs including plain tube, finned tube, plate type, parallel pass units, etc.

Classification of condensers

The condensers are categorized by their method of cooling. The three major types are-

• Air cooled condensers
• Combined air/Evaporative Condensers
• Water-cooled Condensers

Air cooled condensers

An air cooled condenser consists of a type of condensing coil of ample surface in which the air is blown by a fan or induced by a natural draft. This type of condenser is majorly used in small capacity refrigerating units. It is mostly designed for residential or small office air conditioners.

 Air cooled condenser should be kept free from dirt and other foreign materials. This is because, the accumulation of dust and lint inside the condenser coils reduce the airflow around the tubes and fins.

Combined Air or Evaporator condensers

These types of condensers are also known as Evaporator condensers. They primarily consist of coils that are cooled with the help of water sprayed from the above .The cold air enters from the bottom and is blown across the coils. The evaporation of the water from the coils immediately creates a cooling effect. The hot refrigerant gas condenses and changed into a liquid state. The water that does not evaporate is re -circulated with the help of a pump. Evaporator condensers also help in eliminating water disposal problems and provide the most economical means of cooling the refrigerant gases.

Water –Cooled Condensers

These types of condenserare similar to steam surface condensers, where the cooling is accomplished by water that circulates through the tubes or condensing coils enclosed in a shell. The major four types of Water–Cooled Condensers are –

-          Double pipe condenser

-          Double tube condenser

-          Shell and coil Condenser

-          Shell and tube Condenser

To conclude, HVAC condensers are vital for all types of air conditioning and refrigeration systems in our homes and are expensive in nature. Therefore, proper maintenance of them are highly beneficial in saving money in the long run!