It is important to clean your HVAC coils so that you can have your system working efficiently, reduce the energy bills and get the best air conditioning that you need.
Evaporator and condenser coils, also known as HVAC coils, are responsible for absorbing and releasing heat to cool your home.
Here, we will explain step by step how to clean HVAC coils, the tools that you will need, and why they are important.
Maintenance of the coil can help increase the life span of your HVAC system, enhance its efficiency, and improve the air quality in your home.
We will also include the advantages of having clean coils and some guidelines as to how you can clean it whether you are a DIY enthusiast or prefer seeking the help of professionals.
Why Cleaning HVAC Coils Matters?
Dirt, dust, and other contaminants that settle on your HVAC coils over time make your system work harder in order to regulate the temperature inside your home.
Dust accumulation on the coils will decrease your system’s cooling capacity, making it work harder and consume more power, raising energy bills.
Cleaning on a regular basis is important in maintaining the system’s efficiency and proper functioning and preventing expensive repairs.
It also helps to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and mold on the coils, which is not good for the health of people inside the house.
Therefore, it is essential to know how to clean HVAC coils to protect the home and enhance the system’s performance.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Before you begin cleaning your HVAC coils, gather the following tools and materials:
- Soft bristle brush: To clean the dust and hair from the coil surface and not damage the coil’s delicate fins.
- Garden hose: This is used to clean the coils (for outside condenser coils).
- Coil cleaner: Evaporator coils should be cleaned with commercial no-rinse cleaners, which are ideal for this purpose. You can also make one using warm water and detergent.
- Protective gloves: These are required when handling coil cleaners, as they may contain acid and cause a rash on the skin.
- Nut driver or screwdriver: Use this tool to remove the access panel, which is located at the top of the coils.
If you are not confident in your ability to clean the HVAC system or if the coils are very dirty you should contact an HVAC specialist who will be able to clean it properly and safely.
How to Clean HVAC Evaporator Coils?
Evaporator coils are typically located inside the air handler or furnace and are responsible for absorbing heat from the air.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your evaporator coil:
1. Turn Off the System
First of all, ensure that your HVAC system is disconnected from the power supply and this can be done by switching off at the breaker panel.
Look for the circuit breakers with labels “AC” and “furnace” and turn off both of them.
2. Find and Use the Coil
The evaporator coil is most often located inside a metal box that is connected to your furnace or air handler.
Pull out the access panel by unscrewing it and this will reveal the coil.
3. Remove Dust and Debris
Using a soft brush, it is recommended to clean the surface of the coil from dust, pet hair, and other particles.
Do not fold the coil fins, as they are quite sensitive and prone to being damaged easily.
4. Apply Coil Cleaner
Shake the coil cleaner well, then apply it to the surface to be cleaned.
If you are using a commercial cleaner, follow the instructions on the package.
Many coil cleaners will foam up and this is because they are working to clean the dirt, grime, and oil on the coils.
5. Rinse or Let the Water Droplets Do the Work for You
While many of these coil cleaners are marketed as “no-rinse,” it is often still advisable to rinse the coil gently with water, particularly if the cleaner is acidic.
If you do not want to rinse, simply switch on the air conditioning system as the normal operation will produce condensation, which will help in washing away the cleaner.
6. Replace the Access Panel
After this, replace the access panel, switch on the power supply at the breaker panel, and test your air conditioner to ascertain whether it is working efficiently.
How to Clean HVAC Condenser Coils?
The condenser coils in your outside unit remove heat from the other coil, known as the evaporator coil.
These coils are usually exposed to the environment; therefore, they get dirty by accumulating things such as leaves, dirt, and even grass clippings.
Follow these steps to clean your condenser coil:
1. Shut Off Power
Like with the evaporator coil, make sure that the power supply to your HVAC system is off by switching off the breaker.
2. Remove the Outer Panels
In order to access the condenser coil you will have to take off the outer part of your unit that is located outside.
This may require you to unscrew or un-bolt your HVAC, depending on the model that you are using.
3. Clear Debris
When the panels are removed, a general check should be made on the coil for such things as leaves or grass.
These can be done manually or with the use of a soft brush. Please do not fold the fins.
4. Rinse the Coils
This process involves using a garden hose in which water is sprayed onto the condenser coils from the interior.
It is recommended not to use a pressure washer because the high pressure can actually damage the fin of the coil, and this will, in turn, affect the efficiency of the system.
5. Reassemble the Unit
Once done with the rinsing of the coils, you need to put the panels back, switch on the power supply, and switch the system back on.
The Benefits of Regular Coil Cleaning
Now that you know how to clean HVAC coils, it’s essential to understand the benefits of maintaining clean coils:
1. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Dirty coils make your HVAC system to work harder in order to cool or heat your house thus using much energy.
Dirty coils can reduce the efficiency of your system; this means you may be able to save up to 30% on your energy bills.
2. Improved Comfort
When the coils are clean, the HVAC system will be able to control the temperatures well and therefore make the indoors comfortable.
3. Extended Equipment Lifespan
Some of the general servicing tasks include cleaning the coils, which in turn minimizes the strain on the HVAC components.
In this way, it is possible to avoid the formation of dirt and grime that can lead to costly repairs or premature system failure.
4. Better Indoor Air Quality
A clean coil helps to prevent the accumulation of mold, bacteria, and dust, which can circulate in the house and cause poor indoor air quality.
This is especially so if the person has allergies or respiratory problems in the house.
5. Lower Repair Costs
Cleaning your HVAC coils on a regular basis is beneficial for the smooth running of your system; this will also reduce frequent breakdowns and repairs.
Dirt and debris on coils will stress your system and lead to the overheating or failure of certain components.
Professional Coil Cleaning Services
It is also possible to clean the HVAC coils on your own but hiring professionals is a better option because they clean the system thoroughly.
A professional is equipped with tools that he or she uses to clean the system while having knowledge on handling refrigerants and can address other problems that may not be visible when cleaning the unit.
As one of the leading HVAC service providers, we offer coil cleaning services, among other services, in our HVAC maintenance plans.
Our team is knowledgeable about cleaning your system of debris and maintaining it efficiently.
Our services range from basic cleaning to deep cleaning, depending on your HVAC requirements.
When Should You Clean Your HVAC Coils?
It is recommended that you clean your HVAC coils at least once a year to ensure the smooth running of your system.
If your house is in an area that has a lot of dust or if you have pets then you may have to clean the coil more frequently.
For the best results, it is recommended that you have your system cleaned during the times of the year when you have your HVAC system checked up.
Conclusion: Clean Your HVAC Coils for Best Performance
It is vital for any homeowner to learn how to clean the HVAC coils especially if he or she wants to get the best results from his or her heating and cooling systems.
It is recommended that you service your HVAC system on a consistent basis to ensure that your system is running efficiently, the air in your home is clean and your appliances last longer.
Regardless of whether you are able to clean your coils by yourself or if you need to hire a professional, it is important to clean your system, and it is a relatively low-cost investment that will result in big savings on energy bills and more comfort.
We at Finest Heating & Air know the value of having a fully functional HVAC system, and that is why our team of experts is always here to assist you.
Please feel free to contact us for more information on how to schedule a service or to know more about our coil cleaning services.
