Is AC Evaporator Coil Replacement or System Replacement the Better Option?
Discover if AC evaporator coil replacement makes financial sense and is good for the health of your HVAC system.
By Anne Fonda
What is the evaporator coil?
The evaporator coil is the indoor coil in your air conditioning or heat pump system. Sometimes known as the “A” coil because of its shape, it’s located inside your air handler or next to your furnace. (It’s also known as the furnace coil.) It works with the condenser coil and compressor in the outdoor unit during the refrigeration cycle that cools your home.
The main reason to replace an evaporator coil is if you have a refrigerant leak. The coil can fail after years of wear and tear, allowing refrigerant to leak.
In general, if your system is more than 8 years old, it’s recommended to replace the outdoor unit and the evaporator coil at the same time. This is because a new coil may not match the outdoor unit in terms of SEER2 or refrigerant. A mismatch can cause decreased energy efficiency, high energy bills, frequent repairs, premature failure, and reduced comfort.
However, we understand that some homeowners want to explore all the options, so we will cover all the bases.
Evaporator coil replacement cost
Because of an industry-wide refrigerant transition, if your AC or heat pump system uses R-22, there may not be a compatible replacement AC coil available. Similarly, with the phase out of R-410A, compatible evaporator coils may be harder to come by. As of this writing, we are still making R-410A coils for warranty replacements.
If your system is still under warranty, the cost of the coil should be covered, but you would be responsible for labor costs and additional materials. Replacing the evaporator coil is labor-intensive and can take up to 3 hours.
If your system is out of warranty and you can find a compatible evaporator coil, you can expect the cost of the coil and labor to range from approximately $800 to $3,500. Your costs may be higher depending on where you live and other factors.
If your system is aging and repairs are becoming more costly, you should consider replacing the system. Refer to our Repair or Replace Guide for some tips.
Advice from the experts
“My recommendation is to always replace the refrigeration system at one time. That means the outdoor unit and air handler or furnace coil should always be replaced together.“
- Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor, Trane Technologies
“My advice to anyone who may have an aging system that requires frequent repairs is to consider replacing the whole system versus just one component. Typically, with an older system, the technology has become obsolete, and new parts are not completely compatible with older systems.”
-Kimberly Sexton, Senior Systems Engineer, Trane Technologies
Cost to replace AC unit and coil
The cost of a new evaporator coil is included in the cost of central AC replacement or heat pump replacement.
How much to replace an AC unit?
We went into this in detail in our blog How much does a new AC unit cost? Your exact cost will depend on several variables, including:
- System size in tons
- SEER2 rating
- Compressor speeds (single-stage, two-stage, multi-speed, variable speed)
- Existing ductwork
- Complexity of installation
- And more
A ballpark estimate for a split system AC unit would be between $8,800 on the low end for a basic single-stage system and $20,000+ for a premium variable speed system. A multi-speed or variable-speed air conditioning system will cost more up front than a single-stage unit, but because of increased efficiency, it should save you money on your cooling bills for years to come.
Qualifying air conditioners are eligible for a $600 federal HVAC tax credit.
What does heat pump replacement cost?
The cost of a new heat pump will vary based on the same factors listed above, as well as the heat pump’s HSPF2 heating efficiency rating. A heat pump system both heats and cools your home, so the upfront cost will likely be more than a comparable central air conditioner.
A ballpark estimate for a split system heat pump would be between $8,600 on the low end for a single-stage system and $25,000 for a premium variable speed system. Keep in mind that qualifying heat pumps are eligible for a $2,000 federal tax credit as well as heat pump rebates of up to $8,000, depending on where you live and your income.
Whichever system you choose, you’ll want to explore HVAC financing.
Work with HVAC professionals you can count on
Whether you need HVAC repair or HVAC replacement, your local American Standard dealer can help. They’ll go over all the options with you and help you decide the most cost-effective solution to optimize your comfort. Be sure to ask about financing and financial incentives to help you budget.
Anne Fonda
Content Writer, Trane Technologies
A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.
She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.
When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.
Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor
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