Time for a Coil Cleaning? Here's How

For many homeowners, their HVAC system is out of sight, out of mind. Presumed to be hermetically sealed inside those giant metal boxes, heating and air conditioning units couldn’t possibly require that much cleaning and maintenance, right? Wrong. Far from hermetically sealed, your system is exposed to an array of dust and dirt from within and without your home. Without proper cleaning, including regularly cleaning AC coils, trouble is likely on the horizon.

Why Cleaning Coils at Summer’s End is an Essential HVAC Maintenance Task

What’s the big deal about a little dirt on AC coils? The main job of your coils is to transfer heat. The more dirt builds up on coils, the harder it is for your HVAC system to transfer heat. This means it has work harder to accomplish the task of keeping your home to temperature. All this extra strain on your system equates to:

• Higher energy bills.

Because your system has to run longer to achieve the desired temperature. Click here to learn more about ways to lower your HVAC energy costs.

• Refrigerant leaks.
  After remaining dirty for a while, coils corrode, leaking refrigerant into the atmosphere. This situation is not good for the earth, or your pocketbook. Without proper refrigerant levels, your system has to work longer and harder. Refrigerant is also costly to replace, especially if you have an older R-22 system. This refrigerant has been phased out due to environmental concerns.
• Reduced comfort.
  Your coils play an integral role in removing uncomfortable humidity from your home. For this reason, dirty coils can lead to a sticky indoor environment, and all the consequences excess indoor humidity can lead to in the form of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
• Shortened system life.
  The more you run your system, the faster key components such as the system’s fan and compressor will breakdown. Eventually, your system will overheat and fail, and you’ll find yourself shelling out for HVAC system replacement.

How To Clean Heating & AC Coils

AC coil cleaning is best performed once or twice a year, depending on use, in the spring and fall before temperature extremes put a strain on your system. Cleaning AC coils yourself can be a tempting task. However, the small fins on the coil are very delicate. Many well-meaning homeowners damage AC coils when attempting DIY coil cleaning, using the wrong chemicals or cleaning techniques. For this reason, coil cleaning by heating and cooling companies is recommended. The small cost of coil cleaning pales in comparison to the cost of coil replacement following a DIY cleaning attempt.

An HVAC service pro can also maintain other key components of your system while performing this task. A seasoned pro can make sure your system is up to snuff, identifying issues before they result in the need for emergency 24/7 HVAC repair.

Keep your system clean and lower your monthly energy costs with the help of the local air conditioning contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact us today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/time-for-a-coil-cleaning-heres-how/