Most often, a dirty furnace coil results from lack of HVAC system maintenance year-round. The furnace coil, also called the evaporator coil, is an integral part of a central HVAC system that offers both heating and cooling. The cooling side uses the coil to circulate the refrigerant to remove your home’s heat.
Its design and placement make it vulnerable to dust collection and biological growths. When either occurs on the coil, the air that the blower fan sends through the blower compartment slows because dust, mold or biofilms obstruct it. Consequently, it takes longer for the furnace to heat your home in the winter and the A/C longer to cool in the summer.
Cleaning the Coil
Most of the time, it’s a better idea to have an HVAC technician clean the coil for several reasons:
- It’s often hard or impossible to access without specialized knowledge and tools.
- It could be damaged during cleaning.
HVAC pros use specialized cleaners, compressed air and soft brushes to remove the debris. The condition of the coil tells the technician about your HVAC system, as well. If dirt is the primary reason you have a dirty furnace coil, he or she can give you tips about the best filter to use with your system.
If mold or biofilms are growing on the coil, the technician can run down the causes, such as problems with the drain pan or the condensate pipe. Excessive humidity also contributes to aggressive biological growths on the coil.
Preventing a Dirty Coil
The air filter should be changed whenever it gets dirty and should be checked monthly during the heating and cooling seasons. A better quality filter will trap smaller particles that could otherwise collect on the coil. You can prevent mold and biofilm growth with an ultraviolet light placed near the coil. Annual professional preventive maintenance will keep the coil and the rest of the system’s components clean.
A dirty furnace coil increases energy costs and harms your equipment. For more information about cleaning and preventing it, contact Ace Hardware Home Services, providing trusted HVAC services for Dayton-area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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