AC Coils

Maintaining the efficiency of your air conditioning system is vital to keeping your home cool and comfortable during hot summer days. Still, too often overlooked, maintenance tasks are neglected, including coil cleanings – an easy yet essential task that could save money on energy costs while improving air quality and prolonging its lifespan.

Today’s guide will teach you how to clean coils on your AC unit inside and provide expert tips for continued coil maintenance.

If your AC is acting strangely after cleaning your AC coils, you should reach out to a professional. Click the following link to book an appointment for HVAC services in Phoenix, AZ.

Importance of Clean AC Coils

Routinely cleaning your AC coils is crucial for a number of reasons, including the following:

  • Energy Efficiency: Routine coil cleanings will enhance performance by optimizing cooling output while decreasing energy use, according to research from the United States Department of Energy (DoE). Cleaning dirty coils has been shown to boost performance by up to 16%!
  • Air Quality: Unclean coils can circulate dirt, debris and mold throughout your home’s air supply and threaten its quality, potentially contributing to respiratory illnesses or worse.
  • The Lifespan of Unit: With regular AC maintenance comes decreased wear and tear on your unit, increasing its lifespan while helping prevent premature failure.

How to Clean Coils on Your AC Unit Inside — An Expert Guide

In order to clean AC coils properly, gather necessary materials, turn off the power, remove debris from the coils with a cleaner solution, and thoroughly afterward before leaving them to dry naturally.

  • Unload Materials: Gather together materials such as a microfiber towel, coil cleaner solution, AC coil brush/microfiber towel set and vacuum to begin.
  • Switch Off Power: Before cleaning your AC unit, please disconnect power at its circuit breaker to ensure maximum safety and avoid potential accidents.
  • Removing Debris: For optimal results, utilize a soft-bristled brush or hose attachment to safely and gently clear away debris from coils and the area surrounding your unit.
  • Apply Cleaner and Rinse: Start by applying either coil cleaning spray, equal parts water and vinegar solution, or an AC coil brush with any AC coil brush available to gently clean coils. After 5-10 minutes, let sit, and thoroughly rinse out using either a low-pressure washer, hose, or both so all remnants of the cleaner have been completely flushed away.
  • Allow Drying Time: Allow all coils and components to dry completely before switching back on your unit.

Tip for Maintaining Clean AC Coils

Schedule regular AC coil maintenance visits from an HVAC specialist, keep the area clear, replace filters regularly and inspect/clean coils at least every six months.

  • Routine Maintenance: Scheduling preventive maintenance will help identify problems early and extend their lifespan, including changing air filters every 30-60 days and inspecting/cleaning coils frequently.
  • Keep the Area Free From Debris: Regularly remove debris or obstructions near your air conditioning unit in order to maximize airflow and efficiency.
  • Regular Filter Changes: Clogged filters reduce airflow, decreasing energy efficiency. We suggest switching out air filters every 30-60 days (depending on usage and filter type).
  • Regularly Inspect and Clean Coils: Visually inspect coils for dirt or damage before cleaning as necessary with either water and vinegar solution or commercial-grade coil cleaner spray; AC coil brushes can also help in stubborn cases of build-up.

How to Clean Coils on Your AC Unit Inside — Conclusion

Clean AC coils are essential to improving energy efficiency, improving indoor air quality, and prolonging the lifespan of any AC unit. By following the steps outlined here and performing regular maintenance checks on them, you can ensure the optimal performance of your air conditioning system and its coils.