Today, I am here to take you beyond the basic parameters of buying an air conditioner. Copper coil vs Aluminium coil in AC, yes, it is a debatable topic, and it does deserve a thought.
Okay, let’s be honest first. What exactly do you look for while finding the best air conditioner for your house? Tonnage? Efficiency? Power consumption? Brand? Aesthetic appeal? Features? Do you look into the type of condenser coil? What if I tell you that it plays a major role in cooling down the room? Yes, and hence it is important to factor this in. Most people don’t. And that’s why I am here to throw some light on this aspect.
Importance of a coil in an Air Conditioner
The functioning of an air conditioner relies on four major stages – compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
- In the compression stage, the gas gets pressurized and converted into a high-pressure hot liquid.
- In the condensation stage, the coils play an important role. The hot liquid flows through the coil and gets converted into a cooler liquid by dispersing all the heat into the outside air.
- In the expansion valve stage, the high-pressure liquid gets converted into a low-pressure liquid.
- In the evaporation stage, the low-pressure liquid enters the evaporation coil and absorbs all the heat from the room. At this point, the liquid gets converted into a gaseous state.
Therefore, the coil plays a major role in the functioning of the air conditioner. The material of the coil plays an important part in transferring the heat effectively into the refrigerant. Hence, it is important to choose wisely. Copper coil or Aluminium coil? You can distinguish between the two based on a few parameters. Let’s dig into them.
Copper coil vs Aluminium coil in AC: Detailed Differentiation
1. Cost
The cost of the coil directly impacts the price value of an air conditioner. The more the cost of the coil, the more expensive will be the air conditioner. Speaking about the upfront value of both the coils, copper costs more than aluminium. Therefore, a lot of manufacturers make use of aluminium instead of copper to cut down the cost.
Who’s the winner? Aluminium coil.
2. Ease of Maintenance
The placement of the condenser coil imposes a good maintenance procedure. That’s because the coils are fitted in the outside unit. This makes it easily exposed to heat, scorching sun, rains, dust and other harsh external factors. These elements can impact the longevity of the coil if not maintained well. In the case of aluminium coils, they are not very strong and hence need coverage of a heavy-duty cabinet. If you don’t do so, maintaining them will be tedious. On the contrary, copper coils are very easy to maintain and are durable.
Who’s the winner? Copper coil.
3. Pliability
Before I compare the two, let me begin with defining what it means. Pliability is the capability of being bent easily. The more the ability to bend, the better it is for the coil. The pliability of copper is way lesser than that of aluminium. So, moulding and bending copper is tougher than doing it to an aluminium coil. This directly impacts the cost of the coil as well. To construct the same size and shape of the coil, copper requires much more material than aluminium.
Who’s the winner? Aluminium coil.
4. Strength of the coil
We have already discovered how copper coils are more durable compared to aluminium. In terms of strength, copper is way stronger than aluminium as well. Also, in case of any damage repairing the copper coils will be economical as well as easy. However, when aluminium coils are concerned, any damage would only lead to replacing them completely. It is not easy to repair.
Who’s the winner? Copper coil.
5. Corrosion
Corrosion plays a pivotal role in determining the life of an air conditioner. It can damage the coil drastically and hamper the efficiency at which the heat will transfer. Corrosion can also result in leakage. Hence, it affects the whole functioning of the appliance. It is essential to protect the coils from any kind of corrosion. Strictly based on this factor, both the coils require an equal amount of protection. However, copper could score an edge over the aluminium one due to its durability.
Who’s the winner? Copper coil.
6. Transfer of Heat
Since heat transfer happens in the coils, the coil material needs to have good heat transfer capabilities. Without a second thought, copper coil wins over aluminium coil due to its high conductivity. Copper coils can dissipate heat faster and efficiently compared to aluminium coils. This clearly means that an air conditioner with a copper coil will cool the room quicker than an AC with an aluminium coil. So, it won’t be wrong to say that copper coil also is great in consuming energy.
Who’s the winner? Copper coil.
Copper Coil vs Aluminium Coil in AC: Quick Comparision
| Parameters | Copper coil | Aluminium coil |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capabilities | Better | Good |
| Cost | Expensive | Economical |
| Durability | More durable | Less durable |
| Reliability | More reliable | Less reliable |
| Maintenance | Easy | Difficult |
| Heat Transfer | High | Low |
| Corrosion | Less prone to corrosion | More prone to corrosion |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Repairs | Easy | Difficult |
| Pliability | Better | Good |
One Last Thought
Copper Coil vs Aluminium Coil in AC: Who wins the battle? Well, you have learnt the advantages and disadvantages of each one of them. So, you are aware that both types of coils have important attributes that contribute to the performance of an air conditioner.
If you are still in a bit of a dilemma, how about just going with my suggestion?
Being a profound expert, I recommend you go ahead with a copper coil without any second thought. Yes, it is way more expensive than an aluminium coil. But how about the positivities? The cooling capabilities of a copper cool are unmatched. It is more durable, reliable and flexible. The copper coil has a high transfer of heat and can be repaired easily.
I would suggest you ignore the heavyweight of the coil simply.
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