Reasons to Schedule Professional Evaporator Coil Cleaning
The evaporator coil is one of the most important components of a cooling system. Because it is the source of cooling power for the air conditioner, it must be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. Despite being constantly protected by air filters, assuming the homeowner is changing the air filters at least every three months, the evaporator coil can get dirty and cause problems like higher bills and low air quality over time.
The good news is cleaning the evaporator coil is a service that nearly every HVAC contractor offers. Most offer it as a standalone service or as a part of a maintenance package. Regardless of the offering, the service is vital for the continued operation of the air conditioner. Here are a few signs that it is time to contact a coil cleaning expert.
Loss of Cooling Capacity
The laws of thermodynamics are constantly at play within an air conditioner. Heat has to be transferred instantaneously as warm air from the home passes over the evaporator coil. Any interruption in the efficient transfer of heat from the warm air to the cold evaporator coil can cause a loss of cooling capacity. This most commonly occurs when the evaporator coil has a thin layer of dust and grime adhered to it.
The grime covering the AC coil will make the home feel warmer and more humid than usual. The loss of efficiency will also likely be evident in electric bills since the system will have to run longer to keep the home cool. Removing this layer can restore lost cooling power and help the owners save money and stay cool over the summer.
Frost on Dirty Evaporator Coils
Air conditioners are delicately balanced to maximize the efficiency of the thermodynamics at play. When refrigerant in the evaporator coil expands, it causes the coil temperature to drop to near freezing. The main reason the coil doesn’t freeze is because there is a constant stream of warm air flowing across it from the home as the blower runs.
When dust and grime slow down the flow of air across the cold coil, the coil can’t effectively absorb heat from the warm air. This causes water vapor to condense on the cold coil and quickly freeze. Once the process starts, entire coils can freeze solid. To inspect coils, remove the filter and allow the coil to defrost before calling for coil cleaning services.
Longer Cycles
During the summer, the indoor temperature is the quickest way to tell that something is wrong with the air conditioner. Noticing the temperature is too warm in the home should be a signal to pay attention to the time the system is running. An air conditioner with a frozen or dirty evaporator coil will run for far longer than a clean one. This is due to the inefficient heat exchange. If the homeowner is unaware of the regular length of a cycle, they should pay attention to cooling bills and look for a rise in cooling costs.
About Barker Heating & Cooling
Barker Heating & Cooling helps lower bills and protect air conditioners with good AC maintenance. Their crews offer special membership benefits to keep evaporator coils clean, and they offer the service individually as well. Call today for upfront pricing on AC service in Livermore, CA & the Tri-Valley.
