Surprising Ways a Dirty Furnace Coil Can Affect Heating

Airflow is the most important factor in your HVAC system’s ability to heat your home. Not only does it affect the amount of warm air going into your home, but it also affects its quality as well. While a dirty air filter is the most common cause of restricted airflow, your evaporator coil may also be a source of the problem.

The Evaporator Coil

When you set your thermostat to warm your home, a heat exchanger or electric coil will be activated. Air is then pushed through the furnace by your blower fan and heated by the exchanger. In a clean system, this air goes through the evaporator coil and into the supply ducts.

The Effect of a Dirty Furnace Coil

The evaporator coil has hundreds of small air passages that are essential to its function. If these passages become obstructed, your system won’t be able to provide adequate heat. Not only will the restricted airflow limit heat, but you’ll also see an effect on your utility bills. Your HVAC system will have to run longer to reach the temperature set on your thermostat, therefore using more gas or electricity.

A dirty furnace coil is often a consequence of not changing your air filters regularly. Along with dust, mold and mildew can also restrict airflow. Mold can grow in your evaporator coil due to the condensation that occurs while running your air conditioner during the summer. When the weather gets cold and you turn your furnace on, dried mold can clog your heat exchanger’s air passages and make your furnace less effective.

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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