When you’re putting together an HVAC system—like the Goodman 2 Ton 14 SEER2 Northeast System—one part you might overlook is the orientation of your evaporator coil.
It’s not just a technicality. Whether you need a horizontal or vertical coil can impact airflow, efficiency, and installation cost.
📦 What Is an Evaporator Coil?
The evaporator coil sits inside your home (usually above or beside the furnace). It’s the part of the system where refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air.
👉 What does an evaporator coil do? – Energy Vanguard
It needs to match both the airflow direction and available space in your home’s layout.
🔄 Vertical Coil: Best for Vertical Airflow
Vertical coils—like the Goodman CAPTA2422B3 in this system—are designed for upflow or downflow systems. That means:
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Air flows up through the bottom of the coil (from furnace) or down from the top
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Ideal for closets, basements, or utility rooms
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Often sits on top of or underneath the furnace
✅ You’ll want a vertical coil if your furnace blows air upward or downward (not sideways).
👉 Goodman Coil Specifications – Goodman MFG
↔ Horizontal Coil: Best for Tight, Side-Blow Spaces
Horizontal coils are made for left-to-right or right-to-left airflow and are usually suspended or placed in:
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Attics
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Crawlspaces
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Closets with horizontal duct runs
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Low-clearance areas where vertical setups won’t fit
Horizontal coils are often used with air handlers or side-discharge furnaces, not with upflow/downflow furnaces like the GR9S960803BN.
👉 Vertical vs Horizontal Coils – Ferguson HVAC Learning Center
🧠 How to Choose the Right Orientation
Here’s how to make the right call:
| If your furnace... | You likely need a... |
|---|---|
| Blows air upward (from basement) | Vertical upflow coil |
| Blows air downward (from attic) | Vertical downflow coil |
| Blows air sideways (from closet or attic) | Horizontal coil |
Most northeast homes with basements or closets will use a vertical upflow furnace setup—perfect match for the CAPTA2422B3 vertical coil.
👉 Carrier: Coil orientation explained
🛠️ Tony’s Tip
“The coil orientation ain’t about preference—it’s about ductwork. Match the coil to your furnace’s airflow direction. A mismatch = more install cost, airflow issues, or efficiency loss.”
In the next topic you will know about: How to Install a Goodman Packaged System - What to Expect
