A coil-cleaning maintenance program should be an integral part of upkeep for your HVAC system. The benefits of clean coils include energy savings, maximum heat transfer, system longevity and improved air quality.
Purpose of HVAC Coils
Coils are those cool looking things on your outside condenser unit surrounded by thin aluminum fins. There are also coils on your inside evaporator unit. These coils hold refrigerant either in its cooled state (for cooling) or heated state (after it has done its cooling job). In order for your AC system to work properly, these coils need to exchange the heat (or cool) efficiently. If they do not, your unit works longer to get the same cooling effect, which in turn, means more wear and tear, and a shorter life span for your HVAC system.
Time for HVAC Maintenance as Summer Approaches
As summer quickly approaches, this is the perfect time of year to put this cleaning and maintenance at the top of your to-do list. Condenser and evaporator coils are an important part of HVAC systems, and one of the quickest and safest ways to maintain them is through a comprehensive coil-cleaning regimen. Even the most high-end HVAC systems will not operate at optimum performance without proper maintenance, and a building’s heating and cooling systems account for 60 percent to 70 percent of its total energy use. What’s more, studies have shown that you can gain up to 16 percent in efficiency simply from coil cleaning on a routine schedule.
Rising energy costs and the accumulation of dust and debris in the coils or ducts are two indications that it is time to clean your system. Proper HVAC maintenance can save you thousands of dollars and cleaning your coils as part of a maintenance program is one way to do that. It is vital to keep the process equipment clean and free of all contaminants or potential hazards for safety and health reasons.
Coil Cleaning Process
As part of an annual or bi-annual maintenance program your friendly Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning field technicians will clean the fins on these coils. The fins get blocked by all sorts of debris. Outside units, or condensers, typically get a lot of gunk build-up from materials such as grass clippings, leaves, pollen, and other biological matter. The inside coils (evaporator unit) usually get build-up from micro-organisms, mold and mildew.
The best way to clean coils is opposite to the airflow. For your condenser unit, as an example, this means getting inside the unit and cleaning from the back of the coils.
Advancements in technology and design have helped to make coil cleaning easier and less time-consuming. The equipment lends itself to increased portability for smaller spaces.
Your highly-trained technician at Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning will use the perfect coil-cleaning system that uses an appropriate amount of water pressure to remove the dust and debris from evaporator and condenser coils.
Be aware that finding the right coil-cleaning chemical is very important. Acid cleaners are unsafe for workers, destructive to coils and other components, and not environmentally friendly. Instead, a biodegradable, alkaline coil cleaner with a foaming component is an alternative. Also, EPA-registered mold and mildew inhibitors that contain any growth and improve indoor air quality can be used to treat indoor coils after cleaning.
6 HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
- Keep Your Evaporator and Condenser Coils Clean: It is important that the coils for both the indoor and outdoor HVAC units remain free of debris for consistent airflow to keep the units running.
- Replace Filters: Replace your filters every three months for increased efficiency. A helpful way to determine if your filter needs replacing is if it is covered in dust and air no longer flows. All filters are easy to change by slipping out the old filter and sliding in the new one.
- Check Your Unit’s Clearance: It is important to keep your unit free of obstruction. If you have trees or shrubs near your outside unit, keep in mind that regular HVAC maintenance includes cutting back limbs. A recommended clearance for your unit is two feet.
- Clean the Condensate Drain Line: Your HVAC system has a condensate drain line. If this line becomes clogged, it can cause your system to freeze and fail to operate properly. Cleaning the line is a rather easy fix. Just detach the line and pour a cup of bleach or vinegar to clean out the sediment, algae, and mold that can build up.
- Check Air Ducts During HVAC Maintenance: This is a simple maintenance procedure. With the unit running, walk through the house to ensure that air is flowing through the vents. If you do not feel the air coming through, make sure the vents are fully open and not being obstructed.
- Check for Tears in Air Ducts: Critters can occasionally get into your attic and damage your air ducts. If you feel air is being restricted, check for damage. A sign of torn ducts is insulation debris blowing through your vents.
Look to Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning for Coil Cleaning Maintenance!
Our experienced team of highly trained technicians will work with you and exceed your expectations during HVAC service and repairs. Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning is committed to delivering premium quality HVAC service, maintenance, products, and documentation.
Contact your premier source for heating and air conditioning in the Tri-Cities, Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning, at (509) 396-COLD (2653) or schedule a service for your HVAC system!
