“Get Your Fix” Part 3 of 10: Carrier® 38APS/38APD

The Carrier® 38APS/38APD is one of the OEM condenser coils that has seen its fair share of service problems. Introduced around 2012, these units feature Carrier’s Novation® microchannel (MCHX) condenser coils, marketed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional copper tube and aluminum fin designs. While the initial savings may seem appealing, long-term reliability has proven to be an issue for many users.

Why did Carrier go with microchannel coils?

Microchannel coils are lighter, more compact, and use less refrigerant—making them ideal for mass production and eco-conscious installations. However, this design comes with trade-offs. Many of these units have faced repeated leaks, corrosion from debris, and difficulty in repairs due to their complex structure. Over time, these issues can lead to costly downtime and reduced system efficiency.

It's time to #changethechannel

At Nationwide Coils, we've worked extensively with the Carrier 38APS/38APD and saw firsthand how these microchannel coils could fail. That’s why we developed our microchannel conversion program. Our #changethechannel initiative allows customers to upgrade from all-aluminum fin coils to more durable copper tube and aluminum fin coils. This upgrade improves reliability, makes repairs easier, and maintains the same level of efficiency as the original unit.

We can fabricate a copper tube coil that installs with minimal re-piping and delivers the same cooling capacity as the original microchannel design. While the unit will require 20–30% more refrigerant and must be charged via sub-cooling, it eliminates the frequent leaks and unreliable repairs that come with microchannel technology.

Smaller tonnage models are available in both dual and single refrigeration circuits (025–065), while larger units (070–130) only offer dual circuits.

Getting a quote is simple.

As a leader in custom and OEM replacement coils for commercial HVAC systems, Nationwide Coils can #changethechannel on any make, model, or year of unit—including these Carrier models:

Unit Size 025 – 050: Offer both Dual & Single Refrigeration Circuit

38APD025
38APD027
38APD030
38APD040
38APD050
38APS025
38APS027
38APS030
38APS040
38APS050
38APD060 (D Only)
38APS065 (S Only)

38APD070 (D Only)
38APD080 (D Only)
38APD090 (D Only)
38APD100 (D Only)
38APD115 (D Only)
38APD130 (D Only)