Should I Change My Indoor Coil Myself?

Who do you trust to answer your HVAC general service questions?

HVAC general service questions aren’t always easy to answer. If you settle for the common sense of an inexperienced technician or an experienced DIY fan, you could be asking for trouble. The question of whether you should change your indoor coil—especially whether you should tackle this job yourself—is an issue that causes common confusion.

DIY is Sometimes Dangerous

There are certain aspects of HVAC maintenance and repair that are easy for anyone to handle. Change a filter? Sure. Add on a specialty air filter? No problem. Swap out a sensor? Easy as pie. Well, that last one can be troublesome for a beginner, but it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Swapping out coils is something else entirely because of the chemicals, materials, and tools involved. Just buying what you need to do the job could be much more expensive than hiring it out, and then, you run the risk of making a mistake and having to call in someone for an expensive clean-up.

Here are some factors to consider when it comes to swapping out coils:

• Controlled Chemicals: Freon isn’t free for anyone to handle. The chemicals used in consumer evaporator coils are regulated by the government, and without the proper credentials, chances are you’ll either wind up buying the wrong thing or facing steep fines.
• Brazing and Silver Solder: Evaporated coils are soldered in place, and not using the tools hobbyists can normally get their hands on. You’ll need heavy-duty HVAC tools, costing upward of $1000 second-hand to remove the coil and put another one in. This is also a work and knowledge-intensive task.
• Matching Components: Because of new regulations put in place in 2006, consumer heating and cooling equipment must be rated at least SEER 13. Many older units were only SEER 10, and the indoor and outdoor units need to be matched to work with each other. Are you prepared to not only do the work of replacing two coils, but of investing in the tools and supplies? Do you have an EPA CFC certificate?

As with many HVAC general service questions, the answer is, “You’re better off leaving this work to the pros.” Contact McCall’s Supply, Inc., for referrals, product information, and to get expert answers to your general service questions.