Imagine a summer heat wave without air conditioning. When temperatures reach 90+ degrees, AC isn’t just a luxury – it’s an essential part of daily life.
Today’s air conditioning systems are more reliable than ever. But neglecting proper maintenance protocols is like gambling with your home’s comfort and safety during summer and early fall.
Clean AC coils are critical to overall functionality, performance, and efficiency. In this post, we’ll explore how dirty coils impact performance and explain why it’s essential to clean these components before summer.
What Are AC Coils and How Do They Work?
Air conditioning systems use two primary coils (evaporator and condenser) to transfer heat and regulate indoor temperatures. Here’s a brief description of how each contributes to your air conditioner’s functionality:
The evaporator coil, which is inside your home, absorbs heat from indoor air. As warm air passes over the coil, refrigerant absorbs the heat, leaving cooler air to circulate back into your home.
The condenser coil, located in your outdoor unit, releases absorbed heat outside. As the refrigerant cycles through, it expels heat and cools down, allowing the cooling process to continue.
AC systems must be able to transfer heat efficiently to perform at peak capacity. As you’d imagine, clean coils transfer heat more effectively than dirty coils. As dust and debris build up, you may begin noticing problems.
How Dirty Coils Affect Your AC System
No matter how clean and tidy the area around your AC unit is, over time, particles accumulate on your AC system’s coils. Dust, dirt, pollen, grass clippings, and other types of debris can build up on both the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil. This layer of grime acts as insulation, preventing the coils from effectively transferring heat.
When coils can’t transfer heat properly, you’ll notice reduced efficiency and cooling capacity. In some cases, debris buildup can even cause a breakdown. Recognizing the warning signs can help you fix the problem before it damages your system. The “symptoms” of dirty coils include:
Reduced Energy Efficiency
Dirt and grime act as insulation, preventing proper heat exchange. That means your AC must run longer to achieve the same cooling effect. You won’t just feel it in your home’s temperature – your wallet will notice, too.
Increased Wear and Tear on Components
A system that’s overworked due to dirty coils causes added strain on essential components like the compressor and fan motor. This extra workload can lead to overheating, premature breakdowns, and costly AC repairs.
Uneven or Poor Cooling Performance
Dirty evaporator coils struggle to absorb enough heat. The result is a reduction in your AC’s ability to maintain a steady temperature, leading to uneven cooling, where some rooms feel warmer than others. If your family has trouble agreeing on which temperature to set the thermostat, this may exacerbate the issue.
Risk of Coil Freezing or System Overheating
When an evaporator coil gets too dirty, it can restrict airflow, causing condensation to freeze on the coil’s surface. In severe cases, ice buildup can completely block airflow, causing the system to shut down. Conversely, a clogged condenser coil can overheat, potentially damaging the compressor.
The bottom line? Clean coils keep your system in the ‘Goldilocks’ zone, where temperatures are just right.
Shortened Lifespan of Your HVAC System
Optimizing energy efficiency should be a priority for every homeowner, but extending your system’s lifespan is the ultimate goal. Neglecting coil maintenance accelerates wear on the entire system, leading to premature failure. Regular cleaning ensures your HVAC unit runs efficiently for years, reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs or the need for early replacement.
So, How Often Should You Clean Your AC Coils?
At Hoock’s Heating & Cooling, we highly recommend cleaning your AC coils at least once a year, ideally in the spring. Our experts will prepare your air conditioning system to effectively handle hot summer weather without breaking down.
If you live in an area with abnormally high pollen levels, excessive dust, or construction activity, you may need to clean them more frequently.
Why Professional AC Maintenance Matters
You already clean other parts of your home – can you clean your coils, too? Some ambitious DIYers may want to tackle the job, but it’s not as easy as dusting off a few parts. Properly cleaning AC coils requires special cleaning equipment. Plus, there’s a chance you could accidentally damage components.
There are two advantages to hiring a certified HVAC technician for AC maintenance: they will clean parts more thoroughly, and they can inspect your system for potential issues like leaks, low refrigerant levels, or corrosion, all of which reduce your AC’s output and efficiency.
Prepare for Summer with a Call to Hoock’s
For Midwest residents, turning on the AC is a ritual that marks the arrival of warmer weather. It’s a reason to celebrate! Hoock’s Heating and Cooling aims to give you complete confidence that your system is ready to perform efficiently no matter how high the mercury rises in the coming months.
Contact us today to request routine AC maintenance, or become a Maintenance Value Plan Member to take advantage of exclusive savings opportunities!