Dirty AC Coils Need To Be Cleaned For Better Air Flow

All About AC Coils: What’s an Evaporator Coil? What’s a Condenser Coil?

Not sure if you know the difference between an AC evaporator coil and a condenser coil? Air conditioner evaporator coils and air conditioner condenser coils may sound similar, but have very different roles to play. Here’s some background information about the inside of your air conditioner unit:

Evaporator coils and condenser coils are two crucial components in most air conditioning systems because they are responsible for the heat transfer process. The evaporator coil is located inside your home and is responsible for absorbing heat from the air as it passes over the coil. After the air passes over the coil, the cold air is then blown back into your home and processed through an indoor air handling unit. The air handler distributes the cool air into your ventilation system while the warm refrigerant gas is sent to the outdoor condenser unit.

The condenser coil is located in the outdoor unit and is responsible for releasing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant inside the evaporator coil. As the refrigerant gas enters the condenser coil, it’s compressed, causing it to become hot. The hot refrigerant gas then flows through the condenser coil, where it releases the heat that it absorbed from your home’s air. The heat is released into the outdoor air, and the refrigerant is cooled back down and sent back to the indoor evaporator coil to start the heat transfer process once again.

It’s important to clean air conditioner coils regularly. Frozen evaporator coils make it difficult for your air conditioner to cool your home, while dirty condenser coils reduce the system’s ability to expel heat. Both problems can lead to system failure and the need for costly AC unit repairs if left unaddressed.

Understanding the Coil Cleaning Process

When you call us for air conditioner coil cleaning services in Sussex County, DE, we begin with an evaluation of your heat pump, ductless AC, or central air conditioning unit. We will look over your entire AC system, from the air handler unit to the blower fan to the electrical components and everywhere in between. Once we’ve had a clear look at what’s happening, our air conditioner coil cleaning professionals will pop open the removable access panel, remove the evaporator coil assembly, and get to work!

We utilize a variety of techniques for evaporator and condenser coil cleaning. We apply industry-grade disinfectant products, such as our super-effective foaming coil cleaner, to kill mold and mildew and use a specialized brush to remove dirt and debris. Our team may also use compressed air, a spray bottle, and a high-pressure water spray to blast away any stubborn residue that is hard to remove from outdoor condenser coils. For evaporator coil cleaning, we will remove the coil and place it in a specialized commercial cleaner solution that will dissolve away any buildup or residue. All of our cleaning methods are designed to be effective while also being gentle on your unit, and they don’t cost a fortune, either!

After evaporator and condenser coil cleaning is complete, our team will reassemble your AC condenser unit and conduct a thorough inspection to ensure that your air conditioner coils are working as they should be. We will then test your system to make sure it is functioning efficiently and effectively. If we notice any issues with your HVAC system during our inspection, we will address them immediately so that your AC unit can continue running smoothly.

At the end of the cleaning process, our team will provide you with a detailed service report that includes any issues we may have found with your AC unit and any recommendations we have for maintenance or repairs. And just like that, those dirty coils have been dealt with!

How to Know When Your AC Coils Need Cleaning

Many homeowners notice early signs of AC system failure, but not everyone knows when they need coil cleaning. If you see any of these tell-tale signs of dirty coils, call our AC coil cleaning professionals right away:

Reduced Cooling Performance

If your air conditioner is not cooling your home as well as it used to, it may be a sign that your AC coils are dirty and need to be cleaned. Since the condenser coil is housed inside the outdoor unit, dirt and debris can end up building up over time. This reduces the efficiency of your system, making it work harder to cool your home. Since the evaporator coil is located within the indoor unit, it’s not exposed to dirt as consistently, but it can still wind up sucking in debris from your home, such as pet hair, human hair, and dust bunnies, which can negatively affect indoor air quality.

Poor Airflow

If it seems like the airflow from your air conditioning system has decreased, it may be due to dirty AC coils. Without regular outdoor and indoor unit cleanings, your AC unit will inevitably fill up with dirt, dust, and other debris. We utilize compressed air, coil cleaning solution, and other air conditioning cleaning products to ensure that your outdoor condenser coil and indoor evaporator coil can vent cooler air throughout your space.

Warm Air

If your air conditioner is blowing warm air instead of cool air, it could be a sign of condenser coil problems. Your outdoor condenser coil is responsible for releasing the heat absorbed by the refrigerant, and if the coil fins are clogged with dirt, dander, and dust, they can’t effectively release heat to perform the cooling process. Eventually, this can result in hot air blowing from your vents — even when you have the AC cranked up to the max. We can safely remove the dirt and dust from your air conditioner coils so that your AC unit runs smoothly once again.

Increased Energy Bills

If you notice a sudden spike in your energy bills, it may be time to clean your AC coils. Dirty coils can cause your air conditioning unit to work harder than necessary to cool your home, resulting in decreased energy efficiency and increased energy costs. If you’ve never considered the cost of your increased bills versus our average AC coil cleaning cost, it’s time to start running the numbers. Those underperforming coils could be costing you big time and compromising cooling capacity!

Unpleasant Odors

If you’ve smelled a strange odor coming from your air conditioning system, it may be due to dirty coils. Dirt and debris in or on your AC coils (or growing inside the air handler enclosure) can lead to musty, unpleasant odors when the system is running. This microbial growth isn’t just a nuisance for your nose, either. Breathing in mold and mildew can be toxic to your family members, so this issue should be handled ASAP. We’ll clean your AC coils thoroughly to remove these toxins and restore your unit’s cooling capacity.

Get your coils cleaned today by the Top Flight team and say sayonara to that dirty-socks smell! We will clean out your AC unit using special foaming cleaners and compressed air, then replace your AC filters before double-checking that any mold and dirt buildup is taken care of.

Short Cycling

“Short cycling” is the term for when your air conditioning system turns on and off frequently. This often happens as a result of a dirty condenser coil, which can cause your system to overheat and stop the air conditioning process prematurely. Book AC unit cleaning now, and we will make sure your AC unit can operate without these annoying hiccups.

Ice Buildup on Air Conditioner Coils

If you notice ice buildup on the refrigerant lines or the evaporator coil, it’s never a good sign. Over time, as the aforementioned dirt and debris accumulate, they can end up insulating the coils, causing them to freeze over. This problem will both make your system work harder AND compromise your energy efficiency, which can cost you more money on energy bills.

More Than Just Your Neighborhood AC Coil Cleaning Company!

Our team specializes in AC evaporator coil cleaning, but that’s just the tip of the Top Flight iceberg! No matter what your HVAC equipment needs, we’re the crew for the job. Our other service offerings include but aren’t limited to…

• AC maintenance
• AC compressor replacement
• Refrigerant leak repair
• And much more!