Air Conditioner Coils: Why Cleanliness Is Important

How Do Dirty Coils Negatively Impact the Air Conditioner?

When the air conditioner coils are dirty, the system cannot work properly. The air conditioner will overwork itself in an attempt to keep your home at a certain temperature. This overwork can result in premature wear and tear on the entire system.

Dirty air conditioner coils also can cause the system to use more energy than it normally would. When an air conditioner overworks itself to compensate for dirty components, it will cycle more frequently, which results in a higher electricity bill.



Dirty coils also mean your components can become damaged and need repair or replacement. You can prevent incurring added expenses for repairs that you would otherwise not have if you keep the coils properly cleaned and maintained.

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Conditioner Coils?

The cleaning frequency depends on your circumstances. Typically, you should only have to have the coils inspected and cleaned during your annual service visit. However, if you live in a dusty area, for example, you may need to check the coils more often to ensure they are clean. Additionally, if your air conditioning unit is older, the coils may collect dust faster.

Can You Clean the Air Conditioner Coils Yourself?

Cleaning air conditioner coils is a fairly simple process that you may be able to do yourself if you are comfortable working with the system's components. Before you decide to take this on yourself, you should know that the coils are fragile and you must handle them carefully.

You can clean the coils in several ways. But the first step is to turn the air conditioner off and remove the access panel. The air conditioner coils are the first things you should see — they look like thin pipes.

Coil Cleaning Solutions

There are many different cleaning chemicals on the market to help with cleaning your coils. They make cleaners that are specific to your indoor unit (evaporator) as well as your outdoor unit (condenser). Some cleaners require rinsing after it is applied and some use an aerosol “no-rinse” formula. Be careful of highly acidic cleaners. They can eat away at the material of your coil. Some manufacturer put a coating on their units and an acid cleaner can eat it away leaving byproduct between the fins that will block the heat transfer. 

Soft Brush Method

You can use a soft brush to clean the coils for a more controlled cleaning. Sweep the dry brush across the coils to remove any debris you can see. If some areas are more difficult to clean with the brush, you may have to apply more pressure. But be careful with this method or you could damage the coils.

The easiest way to clean your coils is to have your professional HVAC technician clean them for you. A professional has the knowledge and expertise to do the job quickly and correctly. You also risk less chance of damage when a professional cleans the coils. If you need to know more about cleaning your air conditioner coils or have other HVAC needs, please contact Central York.