Your air conditioner works hard throughout the hot Southwest Ohio summer to keep you comfortable. Having your A/C coils cleaned as a part of your regular preventive air conditioning maintenance will help ensure your air conditioner works efficiently all summer long to save you money on cooling costs and extend the life of your system.
Two coils
Your air conditioner has two coils:
- The evaporator coil is located in the indoor unit and using refrigerant, absorbs heat from the air in your home.
- The condenser coil is located in your outdoor unit and deposits that heat energy into the outside air.
Dirt and grime build up on the coils over time and hamper the heat exchange, decreasing the cooling power of your system.
Coil cleaning
There are three main methods used to clean dirty A/C coils.
- Lightly soiled coils are blown clean with low-pressure compressed air.
- Fairly dirty coils are scrubbed clean with a solution of mild detergent and water.
- Heavily soiled coils are sprayed with a foaming chemical coil cleaner that’s left on the coils for a period of time to dissolve dirt and grime before being rinsed off. It may take several applications to remove heavy grime buildup. Whenever possible, choose a biodegradable coil cleaner that can be safely rinsed down the drain.
Don’t forget the pan
The condensate pan beneath your evaporator coil may become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold and other biological contaminants that can considerably reduce your indoor air quality. The pan should be cleaned and treated with a biocide to prevent the buildup of these pollutants.
Keeping the coils clean
Once your coils are clean, keeping them that way is a matter of a few routine tasks throughout the course of the air conditioning season:
- Vacuum around your indoor unit regularly to remove dust.
- Hose down your outdoor unit monthly to remove dirt and debris.
- Check your air filter monthly and replace it when it’s dirty to prevent dust buildup in your system.
For more expert advice about your A/C coils, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., keeping Dayton area residents comfortable year round for three generations.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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