Evaporator coils are an essential component of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. They are responsible for the cooling process in air conditioning systems. Here's how evaporator coils work:
Location: The evaporator coils are usually located inside the indoor unit of an HVAC system, typically within the air handler or the furnace.
Refrigerant Flow: Evaporator coils contain refrigerant, a substance that easily changes from a liquid to a gas and back again. The refrigerant flows through the coils in a closed-loop system.
Heat Exchange: When the HVAC system is in cooling mode, a blower fan blows warm indoor air over the surface of the evaporator coils. As the warm air passes over the cold coils, heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant within the coils.
Evaporation: As heat is absorbed from the air, the refrigerant inside the coils evaporates, changing from a liquid to a gas. This phase change process allows the refrigerant to absorb a significant amount of heat from the surrounding air.
Cooling Effect: As the heat from the air is absorbed by the refrigerant, the air temperature drops. The cooled air is then circulated back into the living space, providing a comfortable indoor environment.
Humidity Control: Along with cooling the air, the evaporator coils also play a role in dehumidification. As warm air passes over the cold coils, moisture in the air condenses on the coil's surface, forming water droplets. These droplets are collected and drained away, reducing the humidity levels in the room.
Refrigerant Compression: The now gaseous refrigerant, carrying the absorbed heat energy, is then sent to the outdoor unit of the HVAC system (condenser unit). There, the refrigerant is compressed, causing it to release the absorbed heat into the outdoor air.
Cycle Continuation: After the refrigerant is compressed and heat is released, it returns to its liquid state. It then flows back to the indoor unit, where the process repeats to cool and dehumidify the air continuously.
By utilizing the principles of heat transfer and phase change, evaporator coils facilitate the cooling and dehumidification of indoor air in HVAC systems, ensuring a comfortable and controlled indoor environment.