Did you know dirt and grime buildup on your AC could make it harder for your air conditioning system to complete heat transfer? Dirty AC coils cause your system to run for a longer period and work harder to maintain interior comfort. The system endures more wear and tear and uses more energy than under normal operating conditions. Additionally, the more grime coils have on them, the more likely it is for corrosion to set in and cause refrigerant leaks.
At DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we understand the importance of keeping AC coils clean to ensure efficient heat exchange through the coils. Not only do you enjoy lower energy bills, but your air conditioning won’t overheat and cause mechanical failures. In this post, you learn more about what an AC does, the benefits of coil cleaning, and other AC maintenance tips to keep your cooling system running well for many years.
What Does an AC Coil Do?
Your air conditioner has two coils: an evaporator coil and a condenser coil.
The indoor air conditioning unit houses the evaporator coil. This coil receives the warm air absorbed by the indoor AC unit. Inside the evaporator coil, you’ll find the refrigerant. The refrigerant takes care of heat absorption and pushes the heat outside. Any time dirt builds up on the evaporator coil, a barrier exists, and the coil can’t absorb as much heat. So where does all the extra heat go? If you guessed inside your home, you guessed correctly!
Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit houses the condenser coil. This coil’s job is to release heat that’s carried out of the home after the refrigerant absorbs it. If the condenser coil becomes dirty, heat gets trapped and blown back into your home, causing the air coming from your vents to feel warm.
As you can imagine, the heat transfer process is hindered and less efficient when you have dirty coils. Many problems that you might notice, such as warm air blowing through the vents, only get worse. If you allow dirt to build on AC coils for too long, you risk your system overheating and failing completely. You want to schedule coil cleaning before the worst-case scenario happens.
How Often Do Coils Need Cleaning?
Coil cleaning frequency depends on a few factors. First, you want to consider the age and condition of the cooling equipment. AC equipment that’s not well maintained may have corrosion and collect more debris, making it necessary to clean the coils more often.
Second, consider usage. How often does the system run? Do you run it continuously? If so, you might need more frequent cleanings.
Lastly, where is your home located? If it’s near a busy street or in an area where lots of construction happens, the condenser coil is more susceptible to debris being released into the air. You might need to clean the condenser coils more often.
For most people operating their air conditioners under normal conditions, once-a-year evaporator coil cleaning is sufficient. Rinse off the condenser coil with the garden hose once a week as part of your lawn care duties.
Benefits of Air Conditioner Coil Cleaning
Staying on top of cleaning helps you avoid the consequences of dirt and debris building up on your evaporator and condenser coils. You’ll also enjoy the following benefits:
Less Frequent Breakdowns
You can’t always avoid air conditioner repairs, but you can do your part to prevent them as much as possible. Cleaning AC coils prevents dirt buildup that puts added pressure on the system. Air conditioners can take a lot of heat — pun intended — but after a while, the extra work becomes too much and mechanical failures happen. If you want to spend less on AC repairs, make sure to keep the evaporator and condenser coils clean.
Cheaper Energy Bills
Dirty air conditioning coils can’t absorb and dump heat efficiently. The result is less efficient air conditioning. You might notice warmer air coming from the vents. Or, you might notice the unit runs nonstop.
Air conditioning units run longer in the summer, but they don’t need to run needlessly. Cleaning AC coils keeps your home cool for less, and you won’t feel financially strapped to pay your utility bill in the dead of summer.
No Frozen Evaporator Coils
A dirty evaporator coil can easily freeze over when it’s dirty. The reason this happens is that the coil can’t absorb the warm air, and without the warm air, the refrigerant inside the coil freezes.
A coil that stays frozen while the AC runs can cause serious damage to the system, mostly resulting in overheating and burning out. Signs of a frozen coil include:
- AC runs constantly
- Ice by the outdoor refrigerant line
- Puddles around the blower unit
- Warm air comes from the vents
The bottom line here is that AC coil cleaning prevents expensive damage caused by frozen evaporator coils.
Cooler Home
If you want a cooler home that feels less humid, clean the AC coils. What many people don’t understand is that air conditioners don’t actually create cool air. They extract heat and humidity from the home to make it feel cooler. Dirty AC coils prevent your AC unit from doing its job. Instead of extracting heat, AC coils covered in grime hold onto it and circulate warm, not cool, air throughout the home. If your home feels more humid than usual, consider scheduling professional AC coil cleaning services.
Additional AC Maintenance Tips
AC coil cleaning goes a long way toward preserving your AC’s cooling capabilities and ensuring the equipment’s lifespan. Yet, it’s not the only maintenance you need to perform. Checking the filter once every 30 days and replacing it as necessary when it gets dirty, usually after 60–90 days, also helps maintain the cooling equipment.
You also want to schedule professional AC maintenance checks with a qualified service technician. This service, performed once a year, includes a multi-point inspection that checks for mechanical issues, a more thorough cleaning, and a recalibration of the system.
Why You Need Professional AC Coil Cleanings
While you can perform some AC maintenance tasks like filter changes, HVAC professionals stress the importance of professional AC coil cleanings. You want to respect the delicate nature of the AC coil fins and make certain they don’t get damaged. Hiring professionals ensures careful cleaning and reduces the risk of damage caused by incorrect cleaning. Professionals use the right techniques and cleaners to protect the fins and prevent damage.
HVAC Professionals for AC Coil Cleaning
Keep your air conditioning equipment in tip-top shape, and let DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling help you with AC coil cleaning and other maintenance services. Since 1931, we’ve gone from a one-truck operation to serving hundreds of customers every year, helping them with all their cooling, heating, and plumbing needs. Our customers know they can count on us to get any job done right the first time. We offer premium air conditioning services and go above and beyond to ensure your home’s comfort 24/7.
Schedule AC coil cleaning services in Boylston by calling DeWolfe Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today!
