Your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool in the Dayton area’s summer heat, but if your A/C coils are dirty, your system may be using up to 37 percent more energy than it would if the coils were clean. Dirty coils interfere with heat exchange and can increase the pressure in your system, resulting in the premature failure of the compressor and other components. Regular maintenance is essential for keeping the A/C coils clean and increasing system efficiency.
Two A/C Coils
Air conditioners have two coils. Refrigerant moves between the coils, facilitating heat exchange. The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs the heat from air flowing over it. The heat is transferred to the condenser coil in the outdoor unit, which releases the heat into the air outside.
How Coils Get Dirty
Over time, dust, debris and grime can build up on the coils. A dirty air filter allows dust to enter the indoor unit, coating the fan, motor and evaporator coil. The outdoor coil is exposed to dirt, pollen and other debris that builds up over time. The buildup on the coils acts as insulation, preventing them from doing their job efficiently. In addition to reduced comfort and system damage, dirty coils increase your cooling costs and can lower the cooling capacity of your system by up to 30 percent.
Cleaning the Coils
Annual preventive maintenance is essential for ensuring A/C efficiency. The long list of tasks includes removing buildup from the coils for optimum heat exchange. Cleaning the A/C coils can be a DIY job if you can access them. However, extremely grimy coils require special foaming cleansers and the use of specific tools for removing the buildup.
Prevention
Replacing the dirty HVAC air filter with a clean one helps prevent dust buildup in the indoor unit. A monthly hosing down of the outdoor unit to remove dust and debris from the fins can help prevent buildup on the condenser coil.
For more expert advice about keeping the A/C coils clean, please contact us in the Dayton area at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Christian Delbert/Shutterstock”
