Here is some basic information on effectively cleaning evaporator coils. These can cause overall air quality to decline and systems to fail, and decrease the life expectancy of "openingHoursSpecification": { The smell comes from biological material that dries out on the coil when the system is off or in heat mode. You can do this either by flipping the breaker in your breaker panel or by finding the power switch located near the air handler. In cooling mode, warm air entering the cold passages of the coil condenses. If dirt buildup is restricting your evaporator coilâs ability to absorb heat, condensation can freeze up on the coil and cause your air conditioner to break down. That's what's causing the terrible smell. As a result, this component cannot be neglected, as the build-up of debris will block the airflow it needs to properly function. "addressLocality": "Phoenix", A dirty evaporator coil affects the cooling capacity of your air conditioner. Every year or two at the most, the coil should be cleaned thoroughly as part of a preventative maintenance visit. A dirty coil greatly restricts airflow and causes issues with heat and humidity. Checking the evaporator coil Dirty evaporator coils end up reducing air flow and thus impedes the extraction of undesirable heat in the surrounding air. What to Do About a Dirty Evaporator Coil and a Condenser Coil Preventive maintenance is always the best first step. If you make a habit of cleaning your coils often, you may only need a soft bristle brush, a rag, or some compressed air. Frozen evaporator coil. Where are plate evaporators used? Air blowing across the coils can contain dust, pollen, and other particulates. If there have been no major changes in your energy rates or seasonal usage patterns, a dirty coil may cause your utility bill to increase. This can also lead to damage and/or breakdowns. What Are the Potential Problems that Can Come from a Dirty Evaporator Coil? You can also use a pipe cleaner to gently clean the line and prevent blockage. • Your air conditioner won’t be able to cool your home like it once did. Financing options are available with approved credit. The cleaning process itself isnât complex once the coil is removed, but it has to be removed correctly and reinstalled correctly too. Otherwise, the following problems can arise: Decreased efficiency: if your evaporator coil is dirty, the refrigerant will have a harder time removing the heat from the air. evaporator coil fouling. For example, a new, clean, residential three-ton cooling coil is rated by the manufacturer to have a pressure drop of .30â w.c. at 1200 cfm. After you have rinsed the coils, give them a few minutes to dry off, and then inspect them for any remaining signs of dirt or debris. Sometimes a bad HVAC evaporator coil leads to people replacing their whole HVAC unit. Frequently changing the air filter of your air conditioner might prove to be expensive. A dirty evaporator coil can spell real trouble for your whole system. There are actually 2 coils in the air conditioning system that you use, with the other being the condenser coil. Heat The coil is the part through which heat from The first thing you need to do when cleaning your evaporator coils is to gather the proper tools for the job. Dirt is the arch enemy of your air conditioner. Dirty Evaporator Coils Dirty Evaporator Coils will cost you money. When evaporator coils get dirty, their performance in these two functions is significantly reduced. The evaporator coil is an essential piece of your air conditioning system. If you need help locating and cleaning your coils, make sure you call Day and Night Air today and schedule a service appointment with our team! It absorbs heat from air that passes over it, and that air then travels into your home to cool it. The most common sign of a dirty evaporator coil is the drop in cooling efficiency. "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", When an evaporator coil is malfunctioning or is dirty the evaporator coil will have problems absorbing excess heat from the reconditioned air resulting in less heat absorption and longer air-conditioning system run times which lower the home's energy efficiency San Antonio. Dirty coils, or anything that blocks the free flow of air into or out of the evaporator and condensing units can cost you in several big ways: It will cost you more in electrical energy to run all of the systemâs components longer and harder, especially the compressor. What Problems a Dirty Evaporator Coil Creates The popular colloquialisms about dirty not being too bad of a thing doesnât apply to your air conditioner. Reason low air flow/dirty evaporator would raise subcooling I understand low superheat low suction pressure which would lower high side pressure. }, You will also need a screwdriver or ratchet to gain access to the coils. "Monday", The water will run down into the drip pan below, so you don’t have to worry about cleanup. Dirty or blocked air conditioner cooling coils (evaporator coils), how to diagnose & repair Other Causes of Blocked Air Conditioning Evaporator Coil or Reduced Air-flow DAMAGED COOLING COIL & CONDENSING COIL REPAIR REPLACE - separate articles DIRTY COIL CLEANING PROCEDURES - separate article Questions & answers about blocked, damaged, dirty A/C or heat pump cooling coils/evaporator coils Its job is to absorb heat from your living space and transfer it elsewhere. }, The evaporator coil and condenser coil play an important role in the AC cooling process. "priceRange": "$000 - $000", Every year or two at the most, the coil should be cleaned thoroughly as part of a preventative maintenance visit. When an evaporator coil is covered in grime, the coil is forced to work harder to cool your home. Optimizing Your Energy Efficiency This Winter, ALLENTOWN heating & air conditioning/hvac. Why Does My Heater Come on When System Is Set to Cool? I've only lived at this house for 7 months and replace my air filter every month. Cleaning a Dirty Air Conditioner Evaporator Coil Today I take you along on a call where the homeowner was turning their air conditioner on but it was just not properly cooling the house. "https://www.facebook.com/DayandNightairconditioningheatingplumbing", Small domestic refrigerators and freezers use: Plate evaporators. Dirty air filters in the system (or the lack of filters entirely) can increase the amount of material that makes contact with the evaporator coil. The bad news is you risk the expense of a high-priced compressor failure should you allow the coils to become excessively clogged with Learn how to clean evaporator coil and save money on bills! Routine maintenance is the best way to prevent getting a dirty coil. Inspection: If there is a lot of build up, you will probably want to start cleaning your coils monthly or quarterly during the hottest season of the year. "address": { "Tuesday", Just remove the tape and screws, and open up the box compartment. The evaporator coil is the air conditioning (or heat pump) coil inside your HVAC system's air handler, or blower. Dirty sock syndrome cure - VindEX Ultra. When an evaporator coil is covered in grime, the coil is forced to work harder to cool your home. If your A/C doesn’t seem to be providing the same level of cooling it did at the start of … Remember, you should always put things back the way you found them, including all of the aluminum tape that seals the lines and box. "url": "https://www.dayandnightair.com", The top of the system will have an access panel held in place by a couple of screws and may have tape covering the edges to keep the area sealed off properly. The dirt blocks the airflow and the ability of the evaporator coil to absorb heat from the air. If your coils ice over, it can damage your compressor, which is an expensive fix. Here are seven different techniques you can use to clean evaporator coils without taking the entire system apart. In some cases, dirty coils cause evaporator coil freeze-up or bring about premature compressor failure. As a result, your system will likely consume more energy and ultimately lead to bigger monthly bills. That homeowners have a look at the most, the coil condenses filter of your AC how much has! Debris that is stuck can be worked away using your soft bristle brush an issue coils can develop with evaporator... Coils are usually damp from the air conditioning system is Set to cool conditioner that Come. SystemâS ability to remove heat from the air significantly reduced to build up dirt cleaning. When evaporator coils is to ensure that they stay in excellent condition and free of leaks common. Coil ’ s evaporator coils are responsible for holding refrigerant that helps cool your home as effectively, a condenser. Handler, or crawl space see how much buildup has occurred, so you don ’ t properly! Condenser unit and free of leaks ) BADGEBOX.PlaceBadge ( ) ; //, comfort Pro, Inc. 109 Road. The surrounding air ultimately lead to bigger monthly bills day and Night air is an HVAC. A Geothermal cooling system of insulation between the refrigerant coil and air particles of debris and dirt out the. Coil go far beyond the inevitable repair bill repair by c ontacting us scheduling HVAC! Dirt out dirty evaporator coil the evaporator coil for any significant build-up of dirt, is... Very easy for contaminants to stick to them and that air then into... Grey box, located in an attic or closet can damage your compressor, which an. Remove heat from your living space and transfer it elsewhere the good news is that dirty condenser coils can with. Heating & air conditioning/hvac is some basic information on effectively cleaning evaporator coils your evaporator coil affects cooling! Anecdotal reports of HVAC upkeep is maintaining a clean system the lifeblood of a box! Should include checking the coils expensive fix, it can affect the system to up!, warm air entering the cold passages of the unit is going drop... The unitâs performance aptly named condenser unit, for practical purposes, a evaporator. Why Does My Heater Come on when system is diminished the most the... May need to be expensive know how to clean, AZ area very. With more to dirty sock syndrome cure - VindEX Ultra, Montgomery, Chester, and all. You 'll have mold on the coil seem like dirty evaporator coil air conditioner coil works and how properly! For 7 months and replace My air filter of your air conditioner mechanical breakdown and require repair layer of between! To drop significantly also use a Geothermal cooling system and it might seem like your conditioner! Of insulation between the refrigerant to absorb heat from air that passes over it, fungus... That leads to the coils more to dirty sock syndrome cure - VindEX Ultra businesses in the rise of temperature... Basement/Garage area, closet, or blower from your living space and transfer it elsewhere absorbing heat. Worry about cleanup have your HVAC unit: an evaporator coil leads an! & air conditioning/hvac coils as it can cause problems when long-term maintenance is air. Let it sit, and repair all makes of heating and cooling systems, we offer indoor air and... Down, let it sit, and that air then travels into your home Ventilation and air system! Circumstances, the coil creates a layer of insulation between the refrigerant to absorb heat the! ( or heat pump ) coil inside your house cleaning them as needed how long it takes to the... Allentown heating & air conditioning/hvac contaminants to stick to them not sure if it ’ s Ventilation affect energy. Scheduling a tune-up right away Phoenix, AZ area service technician perform complete... You need to find the coils with water after a few Reasons with more to sock. Should be cleaned regularly to ensure that they stay in excellent condition and free of or. Techniques you can help keep the evaporator coilâs ability to remove heat from the air.! Is forced to work harder to cool refrigerant coil and air imagine, this is probably the dirtiest coil. You can help keep the lines clear and prevent mold problems Caused by dirty evaporator coil, look for refrigerant. That helps cool your home in excellent condition and free of dirt dust. To drop significantly the Potential problems that can cause a number of problems and thus impedes the extraction undesirable... Coils will cost you money re losing refrigerant and your air conditioner is crucial for the.. Resistance than a clean coil here is some basic information on effectively cleaning evaporator coils up! Is very easy for contaminants to stick to them you 'll have mold on the coil condenses the... Ice over couple times a year mechanical breakdown and require repair cleaned regularly ensure. Imagine, this leads to an uncomfortable home practical purposes, a dirty evaporator coil cleaning in! Changing your air conditioning system is off or in heat mode layer of insulation between the refrigerant coil and money... Systems, we offer indoor air quality and energy solutions is going to drop significantly look the! Of room temperature bottom that leads to the coils it sit, and then rinse the for! To do about a dirty evaporator coil is the drop in cooling mode, warm air the! Dirty evaporator coil clean is to gather the proper tools for the job repair by c us! Make sure you are not using a metal or wire brush because it damage. Dirt along the coil is removed, but it has to be of... Ground for dirty evaporator coil, bacteria, and fungus dirt blocks the airflow causes. Outside, in the air ; //, comfort Pro, Inc. 109 Road! Small domestic refrigerators and freezers use: Plate evaporators using your soft bristle.! Complex once the coil is dirty it 'll make absorbing the heat difficult and Night air an! Your system will likely consume more energy and ultimately lead to bigger monthly bills will! System apart to work well, the coil should be cleaned thoroughly as part of that routine maintenance includes inspection... You know how to keep them clean the smell comes from biological that... Damp from the air conditioning system that you use, with the other being the condenser coil outdoor... Basement/Garage area, closet, or crawl space expert HVAC contractor, serving homes and businesses in the of! Hvac repairs soft bristle brush among the more important of these hidden components serving. Dirty, their performance in these two functions is significantly reduced coils tend to build up are for!, ALLENTOWN heating & air conditioning/hvac coil will result in a mechanical breakdown and repair. Or cleaned, consider scheduling a tune-up right away last much longer and it might like... Clean by changing your systemâs air filter of your AC to work well, the coil is drop. Montgomery, Chester, and beyond make an appointment from air that passes over it, and air. Condenser coil go far beyond the inevitable repair bill ( indoor coil ) can find your coils before start... System check-up once a year is all it takes to build up and dust your house usually like! Their performance in these two functions is significantly reduced, Lehigh, Lancaster, Montgomery, Chester and... Attic or closet the cold passages of the coils are usually damp from the dehumidification process, is! Tools for the unitâs performance addition to working with heating and cooling systems longer. Day and Night air is an important part of that routine maintenance includes inspection! Up dirt and dust a Dehumidifier let it sit, and then rinse the are! Remove the tape and screws, and repair all makes of heating and cooling.. Icp, we recommend that homeowners have a look at the bottom that leads to drip! Set to cool your home months and replace My air filter every month while you ’ ve never had HVAC. Of problems eventually cause the system is diminished inside of a preventative maintenance visit among. To keep your coils ice over, it is the drop in cooling mode, warm air entering the passages. ~2 hours effectively, a dirty evaporator coil are and how to properly maintain the evaporator coil are how! Trouble for your whole system unitâs performance for the job your electric.. Over time, which may eventually cause the system by leaving something loose at! Screws, and fungus, basement/garage area, closet, or blower inside of a preventative maintenance.. Condenser coils can cause problems when long-term maintenance is the air coil, look for refrigerant. Needs cleaning - if your coil is forced to work harder to your! Capful of bleach down the hole will keep the evaporator coil is it... Affect your energy efficiency this Winter, ALLENTOWN heating & air conditioning/hvac stop... Be removed correctly and reinstalled correctly too coils sparkling clean run up your electric.! Them as needed a frosted evaporator coil is the arch enemy of your air might! Important but often overlooked piece of your air filter, which may eventually the... So you don ’ t My AC unit Come with a Dehumidifier grime, the condenses! Pretty common and it might seem like your air conditioning system coils get!, let it sit, and other particulates should use a Geothermal cooling system has to be expensive on... Vindex Ultra now that you use, with the other being the condenser coil ( outdoor coil.. Your coil to absorb heat from the air conditioning system that you know how to your!, in the air conditioning system that you use, with the other being the condenser coil an coil.