How Cleaning Dirty Air Conditioner Coils Can Improve AC Performance
There are still several weeks left before summer rolls in, and homeowners take advantage of the pleasant weather to tackle their spring cleaning chores. But with the heat of summer on the horizon, there’s one spring cleaning task that no homeowner can afford to neglect - air conditioner coil cleaning and maintenance.
A typical air conditioning system consists of an indoor and an outdoor unit, each containing a set of copper coils filled with a chemical refrigerant. These coils are the media through which heat energy is absorbed from the indoor air and released outdoors. But when they get too dirty, they won’t be able to function properly, and the whole system will suffer in various ways.
This article will explain how indoor and outdoor coils work, why it’s essential (and how often) to clean them, and what the cleaning process entails.
Evaporator Coil - Indoor Unit
The evaporator coil is located inside the indoor air handler unit, near the air intake. The most common design is a copper tube that zigzags through an array of thin aluminum strips called fins. As the unit pulls in air from home through the return vent, the evaporator coil absorbs heat and moisture from the air, cooling it. The blower fan then distributes the now-cool air throughout the home.
Over time, dirt, dust, and dander can slip past the air filter (especially if it’s filthy!) and collect on the evaporator coils, getting stuck in the narrow spaces between the fins or sticking to the condensation from the cooling process. When the coil gets too dirty, it won’t be able to capture heat or water vapor as effectively. If it gets filthy, it may constrict airflow through the coil. These scenarios will cause performance and efficiency to suffer and put undue strain on the unit.
Condenser Coil - Outdoor Unit
The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit, often called the condenser unit. Condenser coils generally share the same materials and basic design as evaporator coils but typically wrap around the entire outdoor unit, essentially comprising the inner wall of the unit. The chemical refrigerant inside the copper tubing carries the heat energy from indoors to the condenser coil, which releases it into the outdoor air with the help of a fan in the center of the unit.
Being somewhat exposed to the elements, the condenser coil can get dirty even faster than the indoor coil, particularly with spring rain, blowing dust, pollen, and random debris. This buildup of grime can hinder airflow and interfere with the heat transfer process, which can lower efficiency and raise the operating temperature of the compressor and fan motor, increasing wear and tear.
AC Coil Cleaning and Maintenance
To keep the AC running at peak efficiency and prevent undue wear and tear on important components like the compressor and fan motors, it’s best to get routine coil maintenance and cleaning done at least once a year before summer begins. This can help prevent breakdowns and costly repairs and help lower utility bills by assisting the AC to run smoothly and more efficiently.
The AC coil cleaning process typically involves disassembling the unit to access the coils and then using a special fin brush to remove dirt carefully. If the fins have become bent by debris, the technician can use a fin straightener tool to fix it. AC coil fins are very delicate, so cleaning them requires great care.
Condenser coil cleaning is often done with compressed air (with low pressure to avoid bending the fins), a commercial cleaning agent, and a water hose. Evaporator coil cleaning is often done with a brush and a self-rinsing cleaning solution since using compressed air or a water hose on the indoor unit would make a bigger mess. Due to the delicate and specialized nature of coil cleaning, it’s generally best to let a professional handle it as part of routine AC maintenance!
About Air Now
The award-winning Air Now has been handling Sarasota’s cooling and heating needs since 1946. They provide up-front, flat-rate pricing, no-hassle financing, and a rewarding membership plan. Air Now also offers 24/7 emergency service with no overtime charges, and their “Service today or it’s free” guarantee means homeowners can get back to their routine in no time - so don’t hesitate to call Air Now for AC coil cleaning in Sarasota, FL!
