If there’s one HVAC component that causes more confusion than it deserves, it’s the coil. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard homeowners ask questions like:
“Is that the furnace coil or the AC coil?”
“Where is the furnace coil location?”
“Do I have a furnace condenser coil?”
“Is my air conditioner furnace coil bad?”
And every time, I can see the same thing in their eyes—too many terms, not enough clarity.
So today, we’re going to straighten this out once and for all. We’re going to talk about furnace AC coil systems, what people mean when they say furnace coil, how a furnace and evaporator coil work together, and where the Goodman MBVK electric furnace fits into all of this.
No shortcuts. No marketing fluff. Just the way I’d explain it if we were standing in your basement together.
Why Coils Cause So Much Confusion
Let’s start with the problem.
HVAC systems use multiple coils, and people tend to lump them all together. That’s why you see searches for:
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furnace AC coil
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furnace condenser coil
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air conditioner furnace coil
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furnace and evaporator coil
The issue is that not all coils do the same job, and not all of them live in the same part of the system.
Understanding where each coil is—and what it does—goes a long way toward understanding your heating and cooling system as a whole.
What Is a Furnace Coil?
Here’s the first big clarification.
There is no single component officially called a furnace coil.
When people say furnace coil, they’re usually referring to one of three things:
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The evaporator coil that sits on top of or near the furnace
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The heating coil inside an electric furnace
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A misunderstood reference to the outdoor condenser coil
Context matters.
In systems using the Goodman MBVK electric furnace, the term furnace coil usually refers to the evaporator coil that works with the air conditioner.
Furnace and Evaporator Coil: How They Work Together
Let’s clear this up cleanly.
The evaporator coil is part of your air conditioning system, not your furnace. But it’s installed in direct connection with the furnace or air handler.
That’s why people talk about a furnace and evaporator coil as if they’re one unit.
Here’s how it works:
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The furnace (or electric air handler) moves air
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The evaporator coil removes heat from that air during cooling
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The furnace blower distributes the conditioned air
In a system with the Goodman MBVK, the evaporator coil is typically installed above the furnace cabinet. The MBVK pushes air across the coil in summer and across heating elements in winter.
That shared airflow is what ties the systems together.
Furnace Coil Location: Where to Look (and Why It Matters)
One of the most common questions I get is about furnace coil location.
In most residential systems, the evaporator coil is located:
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Directly above the furnace
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In a cased coil cabinet
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Between the furnace and the ductwork
If you have a vertical installation, it’s usually stacked on top. In horizontal systems, it may sit beside the furnace.
Knowing the coil location matters because:
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Coils need regular inspection
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Dirty coils reduce efficiency
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Leaking coils cause cooling failure
In MBVK installations, the coil location is designed for straightforward airflow and service access—something I appreciate as a technician.
Furnace AC Coil vs Furnace Condenser Coil
This is where terminology really trips people up.
There is no such thing as a furnace condenser coil.
The condenser coil lives in the outdoor AC unit, not the furnace. It releases heat outside after the evaporator coil absorbs heat inside.
When someone says furnace condenser coil, they’re usually mixing terms from different parts of the system.
The correct breakdown is:
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Evaporator coil – indoor, near the furnace
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Condenser coil – outdoor, inside the AC unit
The furnace—electric or gas—simply moves air across the indoor coil.
If you want a solid technical explanation of how evaporator and condenser coils work together, the U.S. Department of Energy explains the refrigeration cycle clearly and accurately.
Gas Furnace With AC Coil vs Electric Furnace With AC Coil
Now let’s compare systems.
A gas furnace with AC coil works the same way, airflow-wise, as an electric furnace with an AC coil. The difference is how heat is created in winter.
Gas furnace:
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Burns fuel
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Uses a heat exchanger
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Produces combustion byproducts
Electric furnace like the MBVK:
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Uses electric heating elements
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No combustion
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No exhaust gases
But in summer, both systems rely on the same evaporator coil concept.
The coil doesn’t care what type of furnace is underneath it—it just needs proper airflow.
Air Conditioner Furnace Coil: Why That Phrase Exists
The phrase air conditioner furnace coil exists because homeowners see cooling performance drop and assume the furnace is involved.
And in a way, it is.
If the furnace blower isn’t moving enough air, the evaporator coil can:
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Freeze up
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Lose efficiency
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Fail prematurely
That’s why pairing a quality furnace like the MBVK with the right coil matters.
Airflow consistency is one of the most overlooked factors in coil longevity.
Why the Goodman MBVK Is a Good Partner for Evaporator Coils
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace is designed as both a furnace and an air handler. That matters when we talk about coils.
Key advantages include:
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Strong, consistent blower performance
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Proper airflow across the coil
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Compatibility with multiple coil sizes
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Smooth integration with AC and heat pumps
When airflow is stable, evaporator coils last longer and perform better.
That’s not marketing—that’s physics.
The Difference Between Cooling Coils and Heating Coils
Here’s another point of confusion.
In electric furnaces like the MBVK, there are heating coils inside the furnace. These are not the same as evaporator coils.
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Heating coils create heat in winter
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Evaporator coils remove heat in summer
Both rely on airflow, but they serve opposite purposes.
That’s why people sometimes call everything a “coil” and end up frustrated.
Maintenance: The Coil Connection Most Homeowners Miss
Let me be blunt.
Most evaporator coil problems aren’t coil problems—they’re airflow problems.
Dirty filters.
Blocked returns.
Poor duct design.
All of these affect the furnace and evaporator coil relationship.
Electric furnaces like the MBVK help by delivering predictable airflow without the added heat stress of combustion.
The National Fire Protection Association has published extensive research showing how airflow and system cleanliness impact HVAC safety and performance.
Coil Failures and Blame: What’s Really at Fault?
When an evaporator coil fails, homeowners often blame:
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The air conditioner
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The furnace
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The brand
In reality, failures are usually caused by:
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Dirt buildup
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Improper airflow
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Refrigerant issues
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Installation errors
The furnace’s role is to move air correctly. The MBVK does that reliably.
Coil Compatibility: Why Matching Matters
Not every evaporator coil works with every furnace.
Proper matching ensures:
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Correct airflow velocity
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Even temperature exchange
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Reduced strain on components
Goodman designs their furnaces to integrate cleanly with a wide range of coil options, making system design simpler and more forgiving.
That’s especially helpful in retrofit installations.
Electric Furnaces and Coil Longevity
Here’s something I’ve observed over the years.
Evaporator coils paired with electric furnaces often last longer than those paired with gas furnaces.
Why?
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Less extreme temperature swings
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No combustion heat below the coil
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More stable operating conditions
It’s not dramatic—but it’s noticeable.
The Myth of the “All-in-One Coil”
Some homeowners ask if there’s a single coil that handles both heating and cooling.
There isn’t.
Even in heat pump systems, heating and cooling use the same refrigerant coil—but electric furnaces still rely on separate heating elements.
Understanding that separation helps set realistic expectations.
Final Thoughts from Mike
If you’ve been confused by terms like furnace AC coil, air conditioner furnace coil, or furnace condenser coil, you’re not alone. HVAC language hasn’t always done homeowners any favors.
Here’s the takeaway:
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The furnace moves air
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The evaporator coil cools air
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The heating elements (or burners) warm air
The Goodman MBVK electric furnace does its job quietly and consistently—providing strong airflow that lets the evaporator coil do its job efficiently.
When systems are paired correctly, maintained properly, and understood clearly, comfort stops being complicated.
And that’s exactly how it should be.
