Over time, the air conditioner in your Portland area home loses efficiency due to factors such as dust buildup inside your system, loosened electrical connections, and moving parts that have lost their lubrication. Annual preventive maintenance includes a long list of essential tasks that will greatly improve system efficiency, lower your utility bills and extend the life of your system. Although your annual tune-up doesn’t include cleaning your A/C coils, it’s a good idea to schedule a coil cleaning in conjunction with your maintenance service.
Purpose of coils
Your air conditioner has two coils that work together to remove heat from your home.
- The indoor evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air in your home.
- The outdoor condenser coil deposits the heat energy outdoors.
Dirty coils
When your coils become coated with dirt, grime and even mold, the transfer of heat is inhibited and your air conditioner must work harder to keep your home comfortable, resulting in undue wear and lower efficiency.
Coil cleaning
Your qualified HVAC professional will clean your coils using one of three methods, depending on how dirty your coils are and the type of buildup on them.
- Low-pressure compressed air is used to clean dusty coils.
- Lightly soiled coils are scrubbed with a solution of water and detergent.
- Heavily-soiled coils require a foaming coil cleaner that’s sprayed on and allowed to sit for a period of time before being rinsed off.
Coil service includes cleaning your condensate pan, which sits beneath the evaporator coil to catch condensation, The condensate pan is a breeding ground for mold and other biological contaminants that can cause clogs and reduce your indoor air quality.
Prevention
Help keep your coils clean by checking your air filter monthly and replacing it when you can no longer see through it. Keep the space around your indoor unit clean, and spray down your outdoor unit with a hose each month to remove debris trapped in the fins.
For more expert advice about cleaning your A/C coils, please contact us at (503) 266-1249, proudly providing comfort solutions to Portland area residents since 1976.
