When to Replace Your Lennox Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is an essential piece of your HVAC system. It is responsible for absorbing heat and moisture from the warm indoor air. This allows your air conditioning to have the ability to effectively cool and dehumidify your home. If your evaporator coil fails, your air conditioner can no longer cool air going through the system, which means it will only blow warm air through your vents. Lennox is a command brand of parts in HVAC systems. This blog will touch on what a Lennox evaporator coil is, signs that you need to replace it, common problems, and the potential cost to repair or replace it.

The experts at Classic Aire Care offer Lennox coil replacement services.

What Is an Evaporator Coil?

An evaporator coil is a component of an air conditioner or heat pump that collects heat from the air inside your home. It is either within the air handler or connected to the furnace. The evaporator and condenser coils within a central air conditioner or heat pump enable these systems to complete the heat exchange process, which is the foundation of refrigerated cooling. It is the same case for heating for heat pumps. The coils create continuous loops that each have a particular purpose.

The evaporator coil is found in the blower compartment. It holds chilled refrigerant that is moved into it by the compressor. As the air from the fan moves over the coil, the cold refrigerant removes heat from the home’s air. This warms it and returns it to the condenser coil outdoors. In the winter, the evaporator coil expels heat from the refrigerant into the home. with most heat pumps having auxiliary heating elements.

Signs Your Lennox Evaporator Coil Needs Replacement

An evaporator coil can last 10 years or more if properly maintained, but it will ultimately wear out. Below are some signs that your Lennox evaporator coil needs to be replaced:

• Warm air is blowing from your vents.
• The AC turns on and off rapidly, or not at all.
• There are visible water or refrigerant leaks near the indoor unit.
• Unusual sounds are coming from the air handler.
• You have an unexpected increase in utility bills.
• There is a frequent need for refrigerant recharges.
• Your air conditioner still utilizes the ecologically harmful R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer available for sale in the United States.

Common Issues With Lennox Evaporator Coils 

• Formicary corrosion is due to thin, uncoated copper tubing rather than using aluminum. The rust and decay of these tubes create pinholes, which cause damage that includes leaks and malfunctions in the system.
• Weak evaporator coils are more likely to cause refrigerant leaks.
• Older refrigerants like R-22 are more poisonous, which contributes to coil corrosion.
• Frequent freezing of coils can indicate there is a refrigerant leak. There also may be pools of water or refrigerant around the air handler part of the AC unit.

The Cost of Replacing a Lennox Evaporator Coil 

The cost to replace a central air conditioner’s evaporator coil ranges from $600 to $2,000. The coil alone costs between $180 and $1,600, with an additional $400 to $1,000 for skilled installation. The brand, style of the coil, and the size of the unit also all play a part in how much the project will cost.

Brand

Although a generic evaporator coil is less expensive than a name-brand component, use of the generic replacement part may violate the manufacturer’s guarantee on your air conditioner.

Style

The A coil is the most widely used form or shape. This has two slanted tube panels that form the letter A when they meet at the top. Because most air conditioners process air vertically, blowing it up or down over the coils, this is the industry standard configuration. Slab coils need horizontal airflow, but N- or Z-shaped coils may operate with any type of airflow. Though custom-shaped AC units could need uncased coils, these types are usually enclosed in a protective casing. Although they are less costly, evaporator coils without a casing may break more easily.

Unit Size

The amount of air that an air conditioner can treat in an hour is expressed in tons. British thermal units (BTU) are another unit of measurement for AC units; one ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTU. Since bigger units require larger, more expensive coils, size is the main determinant of evaporator coil replacement costs. Regardless of size, labor expenses are often similar.

Repair vs. Replacement: When to Replace the Entire AC Unit

A weak evaporator coil is more susceptible to refrigerant leaks, making it more cost-effective to replace the coil or entire system than repair the leak and recharge the unit with more refrigerant. The air conditioner has two coils, the evaporator coil and the condenser coil, which need to work together for optimal cooling. If they are mismatched, they may not work as well, increasing energy bills and potentially causing breakdowns. Evaporator coil replacements can be costly, ranging from $2,500 to $6,500, and take over three hours to complete. Total system replacement ensures a match between the coils, increasing AC efficiency.

When Should You Replace Your Entire System?

R-22 Refrigerant Is Phased Out

If your current AC unit uses R-22, an older refrigerant, it is harmful to the ozone layer and has been phased out of manufacturing due to environmental concerns. The best option is to replace your unit with a new, environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant.

The Impact of Mismatched SEER Ratings

Air conditioners have a SEER rating, which indicates their efficiency at heat transfer. The federally mandated minimum SEER rating is 14. However, older systems generally have lower ratings than the requirement. For instance, a 12-SEER system needs a replacement evaporator coil if the model is no longer made. In such cases, a complete replacement is necessary. Mismatching SEER ratings between evaporator and condenser coils is detrimental to the system’s performance.

Age and Efficiency Considerations

You will have a near-death condenser coil operating alongside a fresh one when you replace the evaporator coil. More energy will be needed since the new component will have to work harder to make up for the older outside unit.

If any of these situations apply to your HVAC unit, you should think about getting a new system altogether. Speak with a qualified HVAC expert to assess your replacement alternatives and the costs and advantages.

Lennox Class Action Lawsuit and Recall

Thomas v. Lennox Industries Inc. filed a class-action complaint in 2015, alleging that defective copper coils were used in the manufacturing and sale of Lennox AC coils. While acknowledging no misconduct, Lennox agreed to provide impacted homeowners with a package that included replacing any faulty coils and up to $1,100 in labor reimbursement for either original or new coils.

The following Lennox brand lines and Lennox evaporator coil model numbers are among the impacted Lennox air conditioner coils:

New Lennox AC Coil Replacements

Lennox has improved the quality and efficiency of their air conditioners with the introduction of the Lennox Quantum Coil, an evaporator coil made of aluminum. It is essential to replace faulty coils to keep the air conditioner operating at peak efficiency and extend its lifespan. Three to five hours are usually needed for the replacement process. This includes draining and discarding any leftover refrigerant, disconnecting and discarding the old coil, installing the new coil and any broken connecting components, correctly charging the refrigerant, and testing the air conditioner.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a Lennox evaporator coil last?

Generally, with good maintenance, a Lennox evaporator coil will last 10 to 15 years.

Can I replace an evaporator coil myself?

It is not suggested that you try your DIY abilities on an evaporator coil replacement, as it will require the knowledge and expertise of a professional to correctly remove and replace the coil and avoid future problems.

Can an evaporator coil leak be fixed?

Yes, but the best alternative is likely to replace the Lennox evaporator coil entirely.

How often should evaporator coils be cleaned?

This component of your air conditioning system, like the rest of your HVAC equipment, should be cleaned and serviced once each year. Otherwise, you risk experiencing a breakdown when you most need air conditioning.

How do I know what size evaporator coil I need?

This will vary depending on the size or tonnage of your air conditioner. The bigger the tonnage, the more heat it extracts from your home. So, for a 5-ton system, you should use a Lennox 5-ton evaporator coil and a 5-ton condenser coil.

Call Classic Aire Care for Lennox Evaporator Coil Replacement Services

Evaporator coils are a serious, vital part of your HVAC system. If they aren’t working properly, they ruin your entire system. Get in touch with the HVAC professionals at Classic Aire Care for any Lennox evaporator coil questions you may have. We’re more than happy to help you get your AC system back to running at its peak form. We provide expert air conditioning services, including repairs and Lennox evaporator coil replacements. We’re here to guide you during your decision-making process, and we also have available HVAC emergency services for when you need us most.