How Often Should AC Coils Be Cleaned? Helpful Hints for Roselle Property Owners

The air conditioning coils hidden in your indoor and outdoor cooling units are unsung heroes of air quality, comfort, and energy efficiency. The coils are often neglected because they remain unseen and inaccessible without specific tools. 

Keep them clean and functional through maintenance services from a premier HVAC company in Roselle, IL. How often should AC coils be cleaned? Leith Heating & Cooling explains what these coils do, how they function, and what you need to do to keep them in good working condition below. 

What Do Air Conditioning Coils Do?

HVAC systems house two coil types: condenser and evaporator coils. You can find your evaporator coil inside the interior air handler. It removes heat from the refrigerant as it passes through your home. You would find the condenser coil, on the other hand, inside the outdoor unit. 

The evaporator coil passes the heat it collects to the condenser coil for release outside. Both coils impact your comfort and the system’s overall energy performance.

How Often Should AC Coils Be Cleaned by HVAC Technicians in Roselle, Illinois?

You should clean both coils at least once per year as part of your essential air conditioner maintenance plan. Leith Heating & Cooling offers AC coil maintenance as a stand-alone service in Roselle, Illinois. But remember, annual coil cleanings are the bare minimum for HVAC upkeep. 

Your system might benefit from more frequent services, depending on its age and your usage habits. For example, you might have an eight-year-old system that needs more care for optimal performance. How often should AC coils be cleaned? Ask your HVAC technician for tailored recommendations the next time they visit. 

What Does the Coil Cleaning Process Usually Involve?

Now, let’s explore what happens during a coil cleaning service. First, your technician cuts the power to the air conditioner before removing the protective covering that hides the internal components. They’ll remove the coil in question. 

After a brief condenser or evaporator coil inspection, they will wipe the component down with a soft, clean microfiber cloth. A particularly dirty coil warrants a cloth dampened with an evaporator or condenser coil cleaning solution. It loosens and lifts stuck grime, freeing the coil from the filthy coating.

How often should AC coils be cleaned with specific cleaning products? Consistent maintenance generally helps you avoid the need for deep cleaning.

Once the coil dries, your technician places it back in its slot. They’ll replace the panel and vacuum the surrounding floor before returning power to the system. 

Can You Keep Your Coils Cleaner Between Maintenance Visits?

You can protect your coils and the rest of your system to elevate your preventive maintenance schedule. Replace your air filters every quarter to ensure open airflow. The coils will freeze due to those airflow restrictions, which can damage other system components. 

You can also dust, sweep, and vacuum more frequently. Consistent housekeeping improves your indoor air quality and limits the filth that eventually makes it into your ductwork. 

Don’t forget to wipe down vent grates quarterly and schedule duct cleanings every three years. Your ductwork is a magnet for dust blockages that directly impact heating and cooling performance. These efforts eliminate excess grime in your building that might make its way to and coat the coils. 

How Do Cleaner Air Conditioning Coils Benefit You?

Clean, dust-free coils come with numerous advantages:

• You improve your HVAC efficiency. Clean coils mean easy airflow and heat transfer. Your system doesn’t work so hard to reach your temperature settings and uses less energy as a result. 
• Clean coils elevate your indoor comfort. When coils get dirty, they don’t warm and cool the air as quickly. You’ll have warm or cold spots throughout your home, and you might notice the air feels uncomfortably moist. 
• General HVAC maintenance protects your equipment. Well-maintained HVAC equipment lasts much longer and has fewer performance hiccups. Since the coils directly influence the refrigerant lines and motor fan, they can significantly impact how well your entire system works.
• Your indoor air quality may improve. Although both coils can collect dust, the evaporator coils are more prone to becoming coated in household allergens like mold. Regular cleanings keep those pollutants to a minimum for fresher, cleaner air.