Without proper AC maintenance, the summertime heat will get the best of you. Keep your system working efficiently by cleaning the air conditioner coils at least once a year and following preventative measures to keep them clean during use.
The Two Types of Air Conditioner Coils: Evaporator and Condenser
You might think that air conditioners “create” cool air, but it’s actually more accurate to say that they remove heat from existing air in your home. AC coils are the pure magic that lies within air conditioning systems, allowing all of this to happen. There are two types of coils: evaporator and condenser coils.
The evaporator coils are located within the inside portion of the AC unit and are in charge of removing heat and humidity from the air inside your space. Meanwhile, the condenser coils are located within the outside portion of the unit. Condensor coils use refrigerant to transfer heat from inside to the outside of your home.
The Benefits of Keeping Your Coils Clean
It’s important to keep the AC coils clean so that heat can exchange efficiently through the coils without being blocked by dirt and debris. A lack of routine maintenance on the coils can lead to higher energy bills and consumption or an overheating AC system.
The condenser coils, being on the outside of your unit, get hit the hardest by dirt and grime. If the condenser coils are dirty, heat won’t transfer out of your home as easily. And the harder your unit has to work to maintain your desired temperature, the more costly your monthly bills and the higher the likelihood of your system breaking down prematurely.
Although the evaporator coils are located inside your unit, they are still exposed to dust being filtered out of your home. If the evaporator coils are dirty, they can’t remove as much heat or humidity from your space and will take longer to cool the air.
How Often Should You Clean Your Coils?
In most cases, you can get away with cleaning your coils once a year with a seasonal tune-up. However, you should consider where your unit is located. If you’re in a big city with heavy air pollution, you may want to have the coils cleaned two times a year. Also, if the equipment is older or it’s running most of the day, frequent tune-ups will keep your system running better.
Checking your condenser coils every couple of months and using a brush to gently clean off debris can be an easy way to keep your system up-and-running in between tune-ups. AC repair can be costly, so keeping your system clean year-round can save you big bucks in the long run.
Get Seasonal Tune-ups for $99 with Big Mountain Heating & Air
When’s the last time you got your coils cleaned? If it’s been a while, we’re offering a $99 rejuvenation special which includes two seasonal tune-ups per year and can be scheduled months in advance. Give us a call to schedule your first appointment.