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Cooling

What is Evaporator Coil?

The evaporator coil is the indoor heat-absorbing coil of an air conditioner or heat pump, mounted on the air handler or furnace. Cold refrigerant inside the coil absorbs heat from air blown across it, and moisture in that air condenses on the coil surface and drains away, which is how the system dehumidifies.

Why it matters to you

In a humid Charleston summer the evaporator coil is doing heavy dehumidification work every day. Low airflow from a clogged filter or a low refrigerant charge can drop it below freezing, turning it into a block of ice.

Practical guidance

Change filters on schedule and keep supply and return vents open. If you see ice on the indoor unit or refrigerant lines, switch the system to fan-only or off and call for service rather than chipping at the ice.

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