Clean A/C Coils for Best Results this Summer
The efficiency of your central air system impacts your energy bills, home comfort and your home’s indoor air quality. Cleaning your A/C coils is one of the best tasks you can do for the system to ensure the best results this summer. Here’s what to do.
Cleaning the A/C Coils
Your central air unit contains two coils that work together to cool your home. The evaporator coil extracts heat using a cold refrigerant. The refrigerant transports the heat to the condenser coil where the heat energy is released outdoors.
If you have a split-system central air unit, there will be a large A/C cabinet sitting next to your home. If you have a packaged central air unit, it will sit on your home’s roof. For safety, it’s best to have an HVAC professional service this system type.
To clean the outdoor condenser coil of your split-system unit, you’ll need a garden hose, soft cleaning cloths and a can of disinfecting coil cleaner.
- Turn off power to the central air unit by pulling out the disconnect switch located near the outdoor cabinet.
- The condenser coil is located behind the side panel of the cabinet. Liberally spray on the foaming coil cleaner.
- Allow the foaming cleaner to soak 10 to 15 minutes, or as the directions state.
- Rinse off the cleaner and debris with a garden hose.
The following steps are used to clean the indoor evaporator coil:
- Remove the panel protecting the evaporator at the indoor air handler.
- Liberally spray the fins and all sides of the evaporator coil with the foaming coil cleaner.
- After the appropriate amount of time, wipe off any remaining cleaner and debris using soft cloths.
- Affix the panel, turn on the A/C power and you’re finished!
To help maintain clean A/C coils through the summer, make sure you change your filter regularly.
At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues — especially HVAC and plumbing issues — so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
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