3 Signs It's Time to Clean the Evaporator Coil

The Benefits of Professional Evaporator Coil Cleaning

The evaporator coil is a crucial component in any air conditioning system. Unfortunately, it’s hidden inside the blower compartment, making it hard to see. When the coil becomes dirty, it can cause problems for the entire system. And if these problems are allowed to continue for long enough, they can cause irreversible damage to the air conditioner. Luckily, there’s no need to be a professional HVAC tech to tell the coil is dirty. There are three signs homeowners can look out for that indicate their evaporator coil needs professional cleaning. A clean evaporator coil will help the system function properly — keeping the home and those in it comfortable. 

AC Won’t Coolcooling

The evaporator coil could be to blame if the air conditioner has trouble cooling the house. The coil is responsible for absorbing the heat inside the house, so one can transfer it outside. To do this, the coil needs direct access to the air around it so the refrigerant inside the coil can work its cooling magic. 

But when there’s dirt on the coil, there’s a barrier between the warm air in the air handler and the refrigerant in the coil. Depending on how dirty the coil is, this could reduce efficiency slightly or drastically. This means the air conditioner will run, but it won’t cool the home. And even a slight drop in efficiency can cause energy bills to rise dramatically. 

coil

Frost on the Coil

When the evaporator coil gets dirty, it can eventually lead to frost or ice forming on the coil. This happens because the dirt on the coil impedes the refrigerant’s ability to absorb heat. And if it can’t absorb heat, it won’t warm up, which is essential to its proper function. Soon enough, condensation will form on the freezing coil. That condensation will then freeze, impeding the coil’s ability to absorb heat. 

A frozen evaporator coil can cause all kinds of problems for the AC system. It can damage fins and even warp the AC coil itself. When this happens, the air conditioner will often stop cooling altogether, and the only way to fix it will be through costly repairs. 

Air Conditioner Runs for Too Long

Not every dirty evaporator coil will freeze. But most will cause other noticeable problems before they become an HVAC emergency. When the air conditioner starts running for longer and longer cycles, it often means the AC evaporator coil is dirty. Since a dirty coil affects efficiency, the air conditioner won’t get down to the temperature when it usually does. So it will need to run longer to cool the house. 

Homeowners who notice their air conditioner running for longer than usual should keep an eye on it. If these long cycles continue, it’s best to call a professional HVAC company to clean the evaporator coil. Most professional HVAC companies provide evaporator coil cleaning in regular maintenance plans. But if the air conditioner hasn’t seen professional maintenance in a while, it’s time for an evaporator coil cleaning!  

About Central Heating

Central Heating has been serving Barrie, ON, with pride since 2007. They provide custom solutions, straightforward pricing, and 24-hour service. Their technicians are fast, friendly, and reliable — and they stand by their work with a satisfaction guarantee. Contact them today for evaporator coil cleaning in Barrie, ON.