For a long time, copper coils were used in condenser and evaporator until recently when Aluminum took over primarily as a result of the price hike in copper. Copper being highly cost-effective (earlier), having a good heat transfer rate (two times greater than aluminum), and very flexible to use has remained the only preferable choice of manufacturers. But as mentioned, the price hike, made it inevitable to look for an alternative and the alternative came in the form of Aluminium. The trend of using Copper in coils hasn't yet completely gone. However, the units with copper coils are evidently expensive now. All aluminum, all copper and combination of Aluminium and Copper is now in the market. You, as a homeowner can choose which unit to go for provided that you have sufficient knowledge about what difference copper and aluminum coils can really make.

Copper is great but not always - Difficult Repairing

We've always discussed why the price factor now makes copper a not so good option. There is, however, another factor and that is of difficulty in repairing. Manufacturers who are still using copper in coils are making the structure very thin, which makes repairing very difficult and brazing, impossible.

Aluminum is a great corrosion resistor. Copper? No!

One of the primary attributes of aluminum as a metal is that it is resistant to corrosion and is, therefore, used in submarines. This factor gives it an edge over copper. Contrarily, the leaking of copper coils is a common thing to happen. They frequently leak and provided the latest structure that they are made in; very thin, the repair becomes impossible. Although the repair is almost equally difficult for Aluminium, aluminum doesn't leak or corrode much. It's in years that an aluminum coil corrodes.

Copper is efficient but beware!

For a fact that had been established; of the efficiency of copper, some manufacturers are bent on using copper coils despite the price hikes. But the solution they have found is that the coils are made very thin which leads to a number of problems when doing maintenance and repair. Therefore, even if you have money to buy a unit with copper coils, reconsider whether the unit is worth the money or it's just similar to buying copper in a false hope of buying a great unit.

What do professionals suggest?

An HVAC professional at PICK HVAC suggests that using an all-copper unit (but clearly not the intentionally made thin coils) is always better than an all-aluminum unit. By all copper and all-aluminum means units in which fins, as well as the coils, are made of the same material. The third best is the copper coil with aluminum fins units.

While this blog was only a basic idea for homeowners to understand what kind of materials are being used in their HAVC units and what replacements are taking place, we highly recommend that homeowners consult a couple of HVAC services in their vicinity to confirm which unit would work best for them. Because the compatibility varies system to system. In addition, climate changes, usage, and some other factors make aluminum coils best for some and worst for others.

Consult before making a purchase.
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