The name Evaporator Coil is a little cryptic if you ask us, but engineers don't always ask us humans when they name heating and air conditioning equipment! Placing the odd name to the side, without one of these, your air conditioner would be completely useless! Read on to know what your local HVAC contractor means when they talk about the "indoor coil".

When cooling your home in the summer, the air conditioner compresses refrigerant to dissipate heat energy. The chilled refrigerant is then pumped inside to the indoor coil. The indoor coil is a series of copper or aluminum loops contained in the...you guessed it, the evaporator coil. The furnace fan motor then pulls air from inside your home, and forces it through the chilled coil. This cools and dehumidifies the air as moisture condensates on the cold metal. The enemy of coil and cooling efficiency is mold. Yep, you read that right. The dark, damp interior of an evaporator coil creates an environment that mold is all too happy to grow in. A mold covered coil isn't as efficient, and the risk of mold spores being released into your air becomes a problem. The solution is to install a UV lamp to kill the mold. UV lamps have been used for many years in water treatment plants, and that technology is now part of overall indoor air quality for a healthier home, and more efficient system.

Ask your local HVAC contractor about a UV lamp for your coil. If they offer indoor air quality products (most established HVAC companies do) then they can give you advice on the right one for your coil. It is also worth the time and consideration to have your HVAC contractor discuss other indoor air quality options as well, because these can greatly enhance the health of your home. If you use another heating source besides a gas furnace, you will not have an evaporator coil. Instead, an air handler is used. An air handler (also called a fan coil) is in a basic sense, the combination of the fan motor from a furnace, and the coil from an evaporator coil. An air handler is then responsible for circulating air through your home and through the indoor coil.

To search for an HVAC dealer in your area use our HVAC contractor locator tool.