Hopefully not, because this seemingly minor detail in the grand scheme of things can lead to some very serious issues with your system. The coils in your air conditioner may not be components that are very familiar with, but if they are dirty then they will definitely let you know about it. Keeping these coils clean is something that some homeowners may feel comfortable doing themselves. Having them professionally cleaned, though, particularly as part of your annual AC maintenance regimen, is really the way to go.
In today’s post, we are going to talk about what these coils do, why it’s so important, and how the accumulation of grime and debris on them will negatively affect your system and your comfort – not to mention your budget. Read on, and remember that we’re here to handle any air conditioning services that you may need. From basic coil cleanings to thorough maintenance and repairs, our team does it all.
What Are the Coils?
There are two sets of coils in your air conditioner in Hanford, CA, and each is vitally important in the overall operation of your air conditioning system. The first coil we’ll discuss is the evaporator coil. This coil resides in the indoor unit of your central air conditioning system.
Unlike a heater, which generates heat, an air conditioner does not somehow generate “coolness.” Instead, it works to remove heat from the air in your home. Once it has done so, it recirculates air throughout the house via its ductwork (assuming that you are using a central AC, and not a ductless system).
The evaporator coil is the point at which refrigerant evaporates in the system. When this happens, the refrigerant draws heat out of the air. That refrigerant then travels out to the second set of coils, in the outdoor AC unit. This is the condenser coil.
At this point, the refrigerant is condensed. This process allows the refrigerant to release its heat, which is dispersed into the air outside via the condenser coil. The refrigerant cycle continues until the desired temperature is met in your home.
Why Are Dirty Coils a Problem?
Have you ever used a hot pad to dampen the heat coming off of a hot pot or pan? That layer between you and the pan prevents your skin from the onslaught of the heat begging to transfer to a cooler surface. A dirty evaporator coil creates the same type of insulating barrier, but with a much less beneficial result.
If the coil is dirty, it makes it a lot harder for that coil to remove heat from the air passing over it. Your system will have to work harder to cool your home, resulting in increased cooling costs. You’ll likely pay more for less comfort, and your system will incur unnecessary wear and tear. It may even start to overheat and short cycle as a result.
If the outdoor condenser coil is dirty, then the system will have a harder time dispersing heat in the air outside. That can cause the unit to overheat, and that can spell serious trouble for your compressor. All in all, ensuring the coils are clean is a simple way to keep your system working properly, avoid operational problems, and protect your budget.
Schedule your AC services with Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We strive to provide honest answers and solutions to the problems our customers experience while remaining highly competitive in price, and offer the fastest turnaround you can find!