HVAC Coil Cleaning Tips and Importance

There are a few components that play a big role in your HVAC system's efficiency, and one area that likely doesn't get as much attention as it should is that of coils. There are a few coils that play a major part in bringing warm or especially cool air to your home during the various months of the year, and keeping them clean and in good shape goes a long way to maintaining an efficient system.

At Dick Kearsley Service Center, we're happy to assist with a wide variety of heating and air conditioning services, including with all your possible coil cleaning or repair needs. What are some of the coils that are most important to your system's operations, why should they be inspected and cleaned regularly, and how does one go about this process? Here's a basic primer.

Important Coils in the HVAC System

First and foremost, for those unaware, here are some of the most important coils that are typically present in today's HVAC systems:

• Evaporator coil: This is the coil that helps to "cool" air as it enters your home, and is typically found in the air handler. Evaporator coils are positioned so that they can remove heat and moisture from the air passing over them.
• Condenser coil: The condenser coil is the one that helps to "cool" refrigerant as it leaves your home, and is typically located outside. As such, this coil is constantly exposed to outdoor elements, which can lead to corrosion and other damage if not properly cared for.
• Heat pump coil: A heat pump uses both an evaporator and a condenser, so it will have two coils instead of just one. These coils work together to help heat or cool your home as needed.

Why Are Clean, Well-Kept HVAC Coils Important?

As you may have already gleaned from reading the above, coils play a major role in the efficiency (and proper functioning) of your HVAC system. These coils are responsible for helping to regulate the temperature in your home, and if they are not clean or in good repair, it can lead to a number of issues, including things like reduced airflow, decreased efficiency, and even ice buildup.

In short, it is very important to make sure that your coils are clean and in good condition if you want your HVAC system to function properly. With that being said, let's take a look at some tips for cleaning your coils, as well as how often you should be doing this.

Tips for Cleaning HVAC Coils

Before we move any further here, a vital note we want to list loudly and clearly: You DO NOT have to clean your own HVAC coils if you aren't comfortable with this process. While the process isn't necessarily hugely complex, it has enough detail and moving parts to it that some people will feel more comfortable leaving this job to our HVAC technicians -- and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's always better to be safe than sorry!

With that being said, if you do want to clean your coils on your own, here's how to go about it:

1. First and foremost, you'll want to shut off power to your outdoor condenser unit. You can do this by simply unplugging the unit from its power source, or if you have a central air system, you can shut off power at the breaker box.
2. Once the power is off, you'll want to remove any debris that has gathered around your condenser unit. This includes things like leaves, dirt, and twigs, plus any other larger items that may have made their way inside the unit.
3. Next, you'll want to use a coil cleaning solution (which you can purchase from most home improvement stores) and a garden hose to spray down your coils. Make sure you're getting both the front and back of the coils, and be sure to let the cleaning solution sit on the coils for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
4. Once you've rinsed the coils, you can go ahead and turn the power back on to your unit. Be sure to confirm that everything is properly reconnected before doing so.

How Often Do HVAC Coils Need Cleaning?

This is a question for which there's no singular set answer, as it depends on a variety of factors. In general, though, you should be looking to clean your coils at least once per year -- and more often if you live in an area with a lot of pollen or other outdoor allergens.

Now, if you've had coil issues in the past within your HVAC system, you may want to consider cleaning your coils more frequently than once per year. This is especially true if you've had to call for coil repairs in the past, as this could be an indication that your coils are not as clean as they should be.

In other situations, you might notice specific issues that indicate a need for coil cleaning or even other HVAC repairs. For example, if you notice that your energy bills have been spiking recently or that your home isn't maintaining a consistent temperature, these could be signs that it's time to take a closer look at your coils (among other potential issues).

The bottom line is this: Even if you don't think your coils need to be cleaned, it's always better to err on the side of caution and give them a once-over at least once per year. Doing so could save you a lot of money (and headache) down the road.

If you have any questions about HVAC coil cleaning or would like to schedule a time for our team to come out and assist you with any part of this important area, contact our staff at Dick Kearsley Service Center today.