Properly maintaining your air conditioning system is essential for extending its life, lowering your energy costs, and helping to prevent common air conditioning problems later in the long Georgia cooling season. In conjunction with your annual preventive tune-up, consider having your air conditioner coils cleaned to improve the transfer of heat from your home to the outdoors and maintain optimum comfort in your home.

Two coils

Your air conditioner has two sets of coils that work together to remove heat from your home. The evaporator coil is located in your indoor unit and absorbs heat from your home’s air. The condenser coil is located in your outdoor unit and expels the heat energy outside. Dirty coils prevent the optimum exchange of heat, making your air conditioner work harder to keep you cool, and reducing its efficiency.

Coil cleaning

A qualified HVAC professional will clean your coils with one of three methods, depending on the amount and type of buildup.

• Dusty coils are blown clean with compressed air.
• Dirty coils are scrubbed with a solution of water and detergent.
• Heavily soiled coils are cleaned with a special foaming coil cleanser that is sprayed on, allowed to sit, then rinsed off.

The condensate pan

Coil cleaning generally includes cleaning out the condensate pan that sits beneath the evaporator coil to catch condensation. Mold and other biological contaminants can proliferate in the pan, reducing indoor air quality and causing condensate drain clogs.

Help keep your coils clean

Dust that enters your system coats essential components, including the evaporator coil. Likewise, debris such as dirt, grass clippings and pet hair can build up on the outdoor coil.

• Maintain the area around your indoor unit to prevent dust from entering your system.
• Replace your air filter monthly, or when you can no longer see through it.
• Hose down your outdoor unit each month to remove debris from the fins.

Powers Heating and Air is dedicated to the comfort and air quality of Peachtree City area residents. For more expert advice about maintaining your air conditioner coils, please contact us today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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