The coils in a window air conditioner are typically located on the back or the bottom of the unit, depending on its design. There are two types of coils in an air conditioner:
Evaporator Coils (Indoor Coil): These coils are part of the indoor unit and are responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air. When warm air from the room is blown over the evaporator coils, the refrigerant inside the coils absorbs the heat, cooling down the air in the process.
Condenser Coils (Outdoor Coil): The condenser coils are part of the outdoor unit in a window air conditioner. They release the heat that has been absorbed from the indoor air. The hot refrigerant gas from the evaporator coils is pumped to the condenser coils, where it releases the heat to the outside air, making the refrigerant condense back into a liquid state.
The process of heat exchange between the evaporator and condenser coils is what enables the air conditioner to cool down the indoor air while releasing the heat to the outside. This cycle continues as long as the air conditioner is running, maintaining a cool and comfortable indoor environment.
To optimize the efficiency of an air conditioner, it's essential to keep both the evaporator and condenser coils clean and free from dust and debris. Regular maintenance, including cleaning or professional servicing, can help ensure the unit operates at its best and consumes less energy.