When it comes to commercial condenser coil replacements, the York ZJ150 is often top of mind. One of the key considerations when designing a replacement coil for this widely-used unit is transitioning its all-aluminum microchannel design into a traditional copper tube and aluminum fin configuration.

For over a decade, microchannel coils have been a staple in the air conditioning industry, not just in York units but across most OEM equipment. Their affordability and reduced refrigerant footprint make them attractive for cost-conscious buyers. However, these advantages come with notable downsides.

The Challenges of Microchannel Coils

Like the lint trap in your dryer, microchannel coils tend to accumulate dirt quickly. Without regular maintenance, this can lead to increased system head pressure, causing operational inefficiencies. Furthermore, precise refrigerant charging is crucial due to the minimal refrigerant capacity of microchannel coils. Repairing all-aluminum microchannel coils is also problematic; it often requires either two-part epoxy or welding, which makes the aluminum susceptible to corrosion. Additionally, leaks frequently occur at the copper-to-aluminum junctions.

#SwitchToCopper: Upgrading to Copper Tube and Aluminum Fin Coils

Opting for high-quality copper tube and aluminum fin coils presents a superior alternative. This microchannel conversion doesn’t just enhance the performance of your York unit but also boosts its reliability and longevity.

Key benefits include:

• Increased durability
• Easier maintenance and repair compared to microchannel coils
• Ability to perform a system “pump-down.” Microchannel coils utilize flat plates with narrow channels, limiting refrigerant flow by up to 30%. With copper tube coils, however, compressors can easily pump refrigerant into the condenser coils, eliminating the need to recover refrigerant from the entire system before repairs—saving both time and money.
• Greater cost-efficiency over the coil’s lifetime by minimizing repairs and refrigerant loss due to leaks.

Closing the Loop on Coil Replacement

When swapping out the microchannel condenser coil for a copper tube version, ensure the circuit is balanced. For instance, if your unit has eight microchannel coils arranged in two circuits (four per side) and only one coil is faulty, you’ll need to replace all four coils in that circuit. This is because copper tube coils use more refrigerant per circuit, and pairing them directly with microchannel coils could result in operational issues due to differing pressure drops. Matching circuits ensures seamless functionality.

#MastersOfMicrochannelConversion

While the York ZJ150 is among the most common units needing microchannel conversion, this upgrade is available for virtually any major commercial HVAC model. Over the years, we’ve successfully completed thousands of conversions, earning Nationwide Coils the title of #MastersOfMicrochannelConversion. If you’re considering this worthwhile upgrade, reach out to the experts. Call 1.888.CoilPro or email us anytime. All we need is the unit’s make and model number to get started.