AC Coil Installation - InspectionNews

Tim Miller · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 09:08 PM

Can an AC coil be installed backwards on the unit. the unit is aged by some 12 -15 years and is a seperate unit connected to a gas furnace. I amsorry that I dont have a picture to illustrate the type of coil.
thanks for any input.
Tim

Sal Castro · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 09:34 AM

The inlet / outlet orientation should not matter on most installations (horizontal) to the air flow. Of course flipping it upside down would create condensate drain issues on vertical A-coils or any coil assembly with integral drain pan.

Sal Castro · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 09:39 AM

On a 12 to 15 year old unit, if you are having air flow problems, I would be willing to bet the coil needs a good cleaning, especially if filter maintenance has been negligent.

I have seen drastic improvements in capacity after a good cleaning. (Surface cleaning doesn't quite do it)

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 10:13 AM

By the time you do a "good cleaning", which requires removal of the coil.

I always advised my clients to "put an extra $100 or so in and just have a new coil installed, by the time you pay to have the old coil cleaned, you still have an old coil which is not-as-clean-as-new, yet you have almost paid that much just to clean the old coil ... replace the coil with a new one".

Darrell Udelhoven · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

By the time you do a "good cleaning", which requires removal of the coil.

I always advised my clients to "put an extra $100 or so in and just have a new coil installed, by the time you pay to have the old coil cleaned, you still have an old coil which is not-as-clean-as-new, yet you have almost paid that much just to clean the old coil ... replace the coil with a new one".

Also, ask if they want a more efficient thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) metering device on it.

Of course, if it is not a Scroll compressor it may also need a start kit. I wouldn't have an evaporator w/o a TXV refrigerant metering device on it.