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Cleaning your air conditioner coils is, without a doubt, the simplest and lowest-cost way to improve your A/C's efficiency, durability, and lifespan. It also enhances indoor comfort and saves on operating and repair costs. These benefits make cleaning your A/C coils a task you should do without fail each year. After the initial learning curve of cleaning the coils, subsequent cleanings will go much faster and easier. Understanding Air Conditioner CoilsThe cool air that flows from your central air conditioning system is the result of two sets of coils that do different things: condenser coils that dissipate the heat and evaporator coils that cool the air. Both sets of coils need to be cleaned. Condenser Coils
Evaporator Coils
Condenser CoilsCondenser coils are located in the condenser, a large metal outdoor unit. Condenser coils remove and dissipate hot air from the house. Condenser coils are metal tubes that run through aluminum fins. Refrigerant in gas form is compressed into the coils, where the gas is condensed into a hot liquid. The condenser coils and fins dissipate the heat as the liquid travels through the coils. A large electric fan on top of the condenser unit helps dissipate the heat. TipCondenser coils never become cold. Instead, they act like a sponge to soak up indoor heat and move it outside. Evaporator CoilsEvaporator coils are located indoors near the air handler. Evaporator coils become very cold. Blower air passing through the evaporator coils sends cool air into the house. Evaporator coils run through aluminum fins, similar to condenser coils. Once the refrigerant has passed through the condenser coils, it moves indoors to the evaporator coils. As the refrigerant liquid enters the coils, it expands into a gas and cools down the coils. When to Clean Air Conditioner CoilsClean air conditioning coils once a year. If you frequently use your A/C or if you have a dirty exterior (leaves, pollen, and dirt) or interior, clean the coils more frequently or on an as-needed basis. Clean the coils in the spring and possibly once again in mid-summer. The 9 Best Portable Air Conditioners of 2022 Why It's Important to Clean Air Conditioner CoilsOnce you know how to clean air conditioner coils, you'll be able to improve the system's efficiency, minimize wear, reduce service technician calls, and save money. Improve Cooling EfficiencyWhen they are dirty, the condenser fan and compressors work increasingly harder just to output the same amount of cool air to the home. Cleaning the coils restores them to their original state so that they can work at their intended capacity. Minimize Wear on SystemDirty coils mean that the system cycles on more frequently to maintain the temperature set-point. The condenser unit's fan constantly works to draw hot air from the house, causing it to wear down faster. Reduce Service CallsThe larger and more complex the repairs, the greater the likelihood that you'll need to call in HVAC technicians for service calls. The average HVAC service call cost is $100 to $200. That's just the cost to show up. Labor beyond that point, plus materials, are all extra. Keeping the system clean reduces the number of service calls you'll make. Save MoneyAir conditioners use a lot of expensive electricity to run. Reducing the frequency and length of run times saves money. Plus, maintaining the A/C system may prevent you from having to eventually purchase a new system—an expensive proposition that starts at around $3,000 to $4,000. Safety ConsiderationsCoil cleaner is a health hazard. Use safety glasses, a face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, and chemical-resistant clothing. Most A/C units are located outdoors and should have sufficient ventilation for working with coil cleaner. If you do not expect adequate ventilation, use a NIOSH mechanical filter/organic vapor cartridge in a respirator. Air conditioner condensers are highly charged 240V systems. Make sure that electricity is completely disabled before working on the condenser.
Materials
InstructionsHow to Clean Air Conditioner Condenser Coils
How to Clean Air Conditioner Evaporator CoilsCleaning the evaporator coils is a modified version of cleaning the condenser coils. Since evaporator coils are indoors, it's not possible to hose them down with a garden hose. Instead, use a spray bottle to control the water discharge.
When to Call a ProfessionalCall an HVAC service technician to repair extensively damaged fins, as they cannot be fixed with the fin comb. If you're uncomfortable cleaning either set of air conditioner coils, technicians can do this for you since this is part of a regular maintenance schedule. What is the best thing to clean AC coils with?While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
How do you clean indoor air conditioner coils without removing them?Use a compressed air canister. One of the best ways to get the dirt and other debris out is to use compressed air. Blow the air into the coil to loosen the dirt. If there's stubborn dirt, though, you might need to put the nozzle close to the bottom of the debris, along its side.
How often should you clean inside AC coils?To minimize energy usage and reduce utility costs, the A/C coils should be cleaned at least once a year. It is estimated that dirty evaporator and condenser coils can increase the energy usage of your air conditioning system by over 30 percent.
Can you clean AC coils from outside the unit?You can't just spray down the outside of an outdoor unit and call it a day. You have to actually take the casing off to access the coil. Rinse the coil down with water. Self-explanatory.
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Best way to clean ac coils inside
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