Your air conditioner may start acting up if its coils aren’t in good condition. Removing dirt and debris from these components is key for smooth operation throughout the warm summer months.
How long does it take to clean AC coils? This guide will reveal everything you should know about your system’s coils and how to clean them. Bowie’s professional AC coil cleaning experts at S&L Air Conditioning and Heating are ready to help you get clean coils. Call us at (301) 923-4571 to learn more about how to clean your AC and schedule service.
Air Conditioner Coil Basics
Air conditioning units consist of an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condenser coil. The evaporator coil contains super-chilled refrigerant, which absorbs heat from your home and blows cool air back in. The condenser coil then transfers the heat outside the home and pressurizes water vapor to reduce the humidity level in your home.
These coils play an essential role in the heat exchange process. If dirt or debris builds up on the coils, they cannot cool your home efficiently.
Dirty air filters commonly contribute to faulty evaporator coils. Leaves, pollen, and outdoor elements impact the condenser coil. You can maintain your air conditioner and prevent build-up by regularly replacing your air filter and removing any debris within two feet of your condenser.
How Long Does It Take to Clean AC Coils?
Expect the coil cleaning process to take about an hour. Begin by removing your air conditioner from its power source and taking off the access panel that shields the evaporator coil. You can check the air conditioner’s manual for help locating the access panel.
Take the cover off of your outdoor condenser and remove the screws at the bottom of the unit’s cage. Once you remove the indoor panel and the outdoor cage, you should see two separate coils lined with aluminum fins. Now you can begin cleaning.
Benefits of Clean AC Coils
Regular cleaning of your air conditioner’s coils provides multiple benefits to you. Your comfort is the greatest benefit, as clean coils help air conditioners function normally. You can relax at an ideal temperature without feeling stuffy when the coils are in good shape.
Your air conditioner will perform more efficiently with clean coils. As a result, you can enjoy lower energy costs compared to a unit that has to work harder to transfer heat among dirty coils.
Keeping your coils clean can also help you prolong the life of your air conditioner and avoid expensive repairs. A dirty evaporator coil may freeze over and fail to absorb heat. This can cause serious damage to the system that can lead to costly repairs or replacement.
How long does it take to clean AC coils? Luckily, you can reap these rewards quickly by spending just an hour on the project.
Is Cleaning AC Coils a DIY Job?
While you can clean the air conditioner coils yourself, a trained HVAC technician can easily take care of it during your annual air conditioning maintenance service. If you’re not sure where the coils are or how to clean them, call a professional from S&L Air Conditioning and Heating.
How to Clean AC Coils
Before cleaning your air conditioner’s coils, make sure you have the following equipment:
- Fin comb
- Coil comb
- Brush
- Gloves
- Chemical cleaner
- Cloth rag
- Protective eyewear
Wearing gloves and protective eyewear, you can remove dust build-up by gliding a brush down the fins of the evaporator. Use a coil comb to reach dirt in all the nooks and crannies of the coils. Be gentle to avoid tearing fins.
Follow the directions on a commercial cleaner to remove dirt, and allow enough drying time before turning your unit on again.
How Often to Clean AC Coils
Experts suggest cleaning your coils once a year. However, you can adjust this cleaning schedule to your needs. Plan for more frequent care if your air conditioner gets a lot of use or you live in an area with high pollution levels.
Your schedule can also change depending on how frequently you change your air filter. No matter how often your system requires cleaning, keeping a regular maintenance schedule is the ideal way to extend the life of your air conditioner.
Reach Out to Our Air Conditioning Experts for AC Maintenance
Now that you have the answer “how long does it take to clean AC coils,” you can either tackle the job yourself or enlist an HVAC professional. The experts at S&L Air Conditioning and Heating provide general maintenance, air conditioning installation services, and more. Call (301) 923-4571 to schedule service.