Homeowner: A new evaporator coil replacement costs $630 to $1,700 if it is still under warranty. Homeowner: An indoor AC coil replacement costs $1,230 to $3,700 if it is no longer under warranty.
Whether it's worth replacing an evaporator coil depends on several factors: Age of the HVAC System: If your system is relatively new (less than 10 years old), replacing the evaporator coil is generally worth it. However, if the entire system is older, it might be more cost-effective to replace the whole unit.
Labor Cost
Labor for an evaporator coil replacement costs anywhere from $400 to $1,000 depending on the job and service area.
A new evaporator coil can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $6,500 and takes 3+ hours to complete, potentially leading to higher labor costs than other AC repairs. In contrast, a total system replacement ensures a match between the coils, leading to increased AC efficiency.
Sadly, repair isn't an option.
There's no reliable way to repair the leaks themselves. Evaporator coils are large components that reside in dark places and are characterized by tiny dips, curves, crevices, and hard-to-see, hard-to-reach areas.
The first thing you should know is that leaky evaporator coils are a normal and common occurrence. This is due to the expanding refrigerant in the coils, which takes heat from indoor air and condenses water out of the cool air, onto the coil.
Home warranties will cover your compressor, evaporator coils, blower motors, and other critical parts of your AC system. Some providers do have exclusions for issues caused by a lack of regular maintenance, so check with your warranty provider for details regarding covered events.
On average, evaporator coils can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. However, certain factors may cause them to wear out more quickly.
At BOXT, we highly recommend that repairs should be carried out by a professional, but if you are somewhat experienced and want to try it for yourself then here's what to do. With the right knowledge, replacing an evaporator coil can be pretty simple.
Signs of Damaged Evaporator Coil Components
Air coming from the vents is warm. Air conditioner starts and stops frequently but doesn't properly cool your home. Air conditioner does not turn on. Refrigerant leak near the indoor cooling system components.
Ignition coils can vary in price based on their type and quality, ranging from $50 to $200 or more for each coil. Labor costs for ignition coil replacement are typically charged per hour of work. On average, labor rates can range from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on the location and the repair shop.
The evaporator coil is the part of the air conditioning system that sits inside of your home near the air handler and is where the refrigerant absorbs heat. The evaporator coil uses U-shaped metallic tubes that easily conduct the heat the refrigerant flows through. Metal "fins" are located on the outside of the coils.
An HVAC replacement cost is $7,500 on average. This range could be as low as $5,000 or as high as $12,500, depending on the type and size of your unit, the brand, and labor costs. Your overall cost for a new HVAC unit could reach $22,000 if you add new ductwork and additional features like a HEPA filtration system.
The type of furnace you have will determine how much you pay for a new evap coil. A gas furnace evaporator coil costs around $630 to $2,310 for a replacement. While a heat pump or straight electric furnace requires far more work for a proper evap coil changeout, running the prices up to $870 to $3,700.
0 to 9 years old: Your HVAC equipment most likely has years of life left. Seriously consider a repair over a replacement. 10 to 13 years old: Some high-use heating and air conditioning systems wear out after about a decade.
Cooling Coil: A cooling coil, also known as an evaporator coil or indoor coil, is a heat exchanger component typically used in air conditioning systems. It is responsible for cooling and dehumidifying the air that flows over it. The cooling coil works by passing refrigerant through a network of tubes or fins.
Replacing just the evaporator coil can lead to problems. A common rule of thumb in the industry is if your AC unit is over 8 years old, it may be more beneficial to replace the entire unit rather than a single component.
Vacuum the Coils: Attach a soft brush to your vacuum cleaner and carefully vacuum the coils. This will remove the dust and debris loosened by the brushing. Ensure the vacuum is set to a low suction level to avoid damaging the coils.
Symptoms of an undersized AC unit include poor cooling, high energy bills, uneven temperatures and excess humidity.
Over time, exposure to moisture and contaminants in the air can cause the air conditioner's evaporator coil to corrode.
Homeowners insurance covers HVAC systems when the damage is a result of a covered disaster or peril, including high winds, fallen trees, theft, hail or even a fire. So if lightning strikes your unit and damages its electrical components, your homeowners insurance policy would probably cover it.
American Home Shield HVAC Coverage Benefits
$5,000 per covered HVAC system. $4,000 per covered appliance.
If any modification, alteration, misuse, negligence, or accident occurs to your system that results in failure, defect, or damage, your warranty will likely be voided. Keep this from happening by immediately calling the professionals to come service your system when issues arise. Don't try to fix HVAC issues yourself.