Commercial Mobile Air Conditioning Units: Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coils are located on the inside of your mobile equipment air conditioning unit or heat pump. They are A-shaped webs of copper coils that are filled with very cold refrigerant and are crucial for completing the heat exchange process. Evaporator coils form a loop with the condenser coils to create a continuous flow, each with different functions.

Keep reading to learn more about evaporator coils, how they work, and common issues to look out for.

The role of the evaporator coil

In a mobile air conditioning unit, the evaporator coil removes heat and moisture from indoor air. The condenser coil takes that heat and releases it outside. When air is blown over the coils, the refrigerant in the coils takes the heat from the air and transfers the air outdoors. Without the evaporator coils, the air would stay warm, making it a crucial part of the air conditioning cycle.

How an evaporator coil works:

• The compressor moves cold liquid refrigerant to the evaporator coils, which hold the refrigerant
• Warm air then passes over the cold coils and the refrigerant absorbs the moisture and heat
• The refrigerant then converts to a low-pressure gas, travels to the condenser coils, and the warm air is expelled
• Cool, dehumidified air is blown into the space

The process is reversed with a heat pump. The evaporator coils are responsible for expelling heat from the refrigerant and into the space instead of absorbing it.

Common issues with evaporator coils

Because the evaporator coils are such a vital component of the cooling process, any malfunctions with the coils can result in warm air being blown back into the space. It becomes difficult to achieve a cool space and maintain a comfortable working temperature if the evaporator coils are damaged.

Common issues that may indicate damaged evaporator coils include:

• Warm air blowing through the vents
• The AC unit starts and stops frequently with no cool air
• The AC unit fails to turn on
• Refrigerant leak
• Strange noises coming from the AC unit

The above can be caused by a dirty air filter, a dirty evaporator coil, or a frozen evaporator coil.

Where to find evaporator coils in Calgary

At Polar Mobility, we stock an inventory of evaporator coils such as Peterbilt, Mack, Western Star, and Kenworth, just to name a few. If you need a different name-brand part, give us a call and we can find the perfect fit for your equipment.