What Does Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost?
Key takeaways:
• Evaporator coil replacement costs can range from $2,000-$5,000+, depending on your system and other factors.
• Replacement under warranty will be less expensive than an out-of-warranty replacement.
• It may be more cost-effective to replace an aging system.
By Anne Fonda
The evaporator coil is the indoor coil in your HVAC system. It's a critical part of the heating and cooling process during your air conditioner or heat pump's refrigeration cycle.
What are the signs of an evaporator coil problem?
Signs of a failing evaporator coil are enough to have you calling your local HVAC company for help. They can include:
- Weak airflow
- Cool air when it should be warm (heat pump heating)
- Warm air when it should be cold (AC or heat pump cooling)
- Inconsistent temperatures
- Hissing or gurgling sound
- Oily substance near the indoor unit
- Frozen evaporator coil
- High energy bills
Other issues with your HVAC system can cause some of the same problems. A trained HVAC technician will troubleshoot your system to pinpoint the problem. If your system’s evaporator coil is shot, be prepared for sticker shock. Replacing the evaporator coil can be pricey. Let’s take a look.
Replacement cost under warranty
Your evaporator coil replacement cost under warranty will be less than an out-of-warranty replacement. That’s because the cost of the coil itself will be covered. You will have to pay for labor, refrigerant, taxes, and more. Your actual price will vary based on where you live, how much refrigerant you need, and more.
Because it’s a labor-intensive repair, in general, you can expect to pay $2,000+ if you don’t have to pay for the coil. Your cost may be lower or higher depending on the specific coil and labor costs where you live.
Replacement cost out of warranty
If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it is likely out of warranty. In this situation, you should be prepared to receive an estimate of up to $5,000+. This includes the cost of the new coil, removal of the old one, dealing responsibly with the old refrigerant, installation of the new coil, charging with refrigerant, taxes, and more.
Why would you need to replace an evaporator coil?
A refrigerant leak is the main reason. Internal erosion or external corrosion can weaken the metal tubing, leading to pinhole or larger leaks. These leaks are more common in older units (10+ years).
Because it’s so labor-intensive, attempting to repair a leak doesn’t make much financial sense, as there is a very good chance the coil will spring a leak in the same place or in another spot.
What causes an evaporator coil to fail?
There are several potential causes. Some you can avoid through proper maintenance.
- Normal wear and tear over 10+ years
- Internal erosion
- External corrosion
- Frozen evaporator coil caused by
- Restricted airflow/dirty filter
- Dirt and debris on the coil
- Blocked return air vents
- Refrigerant leak
You can help prevent a frozen evaporator coil by changing your air filter every 30-90 days, keeping return vents clear, and scheduling HVAC service. An HVAC technician can clean your evaporator coil if needed and check for a refrigerant leak.
Are today’s evaporator coils better than older coils? Why?
We think so. Today’s evaporator coils are better than older coils, at least Trane Comfort™ Coils are. Our Trane Comfort Coils are expertly tested and built to ensure long-term durability, season after season. That’s because they are all-aluminum. Older copper coils are more susceptible to corrosion and pinhole leaks.
The Trane Comfort Coil offers several advantages over standard coils, with a patented all-aluminum coil design that’s highly efficient, easy to clean, and resists corrosion and rust. New coils using the more eco-friendly refrigerant R-454B come with our new Refrigerant Detection System (RDS) installed by our expert manufacturing teams.
This innovative feature includes a Mitigation Control Board (MCB) partnered with a sensor placed on the drain pan to detect and mitigate refrigerant leaks. If it detects a leak, the RDS will shut down the compressor and other electrical devices, activate the indoor fan to disperse the refrigerant, and then return to normal operation once the leak is resolved.
For a coil-only replacement of installations using R-410A refrigerant, we offer an all-aluminum replacement evaporator coil. Availability varies by market location.
Do I have to replace the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor unit at the same time?
If you’ve already had an HVAC company tell you this, they’re right. For the best results for comfort and system longevity, you should.
“As your HVAC system approaches the end of its usable life, my recommendation is to always replace the refrigeration system at one time. That means the outdoor unit and air handler or indoor furnace coil should always be replaced together.”
- Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
You can replace the furnace on a different schedule if it is still in good working order.
When a system is approaching its life expectancy (15+/- years for an AC unit or heat pump), replacing the outdoor unit, indoor coil, and the air handler or furnace all at the same time may be the most cost-effective thing to do.
The indoor unit and outdoor unit need to be a compatible-rated system, and this includes the coil. With an older system, the technology has become obsolete, and new parts are not completely compatible with older systems. Your local Trane dealer will help ensure all components of your system are compatible for optimal performance.
HVAC financing can help make the cost of system replacement more manageable by spreading payments out over several years. With a new, energy-efficient system, you’ll get enhanced comfort, lower energy bills, and a new 10-year warranty as long as you or your Trane dealer registers the system within 60 days of installation.
Schedule a consultation
If you’ve received the news that you need to replace your evaporator coil, your local Trane dealer can offer a second (or third) opinion and discuss your options.
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 Sean Goddard, Product Manager, Coils & Indoor Air Quality
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