There are two major components to a central air conditioner: the outdoor unit a.k.a condenser or heat pump and the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil is normally found mounted between your furnace (gas) or air handler (electric) and main junction of the duct or supply duct. The coils consist of a series of piping that connects to the furnace or air handler which blows indoor air across it. This blowing of air across the fins causes the coil to absorb the heat from the room and allows the flow of the cooled air to the building.