Six Tips on Keeping AC Coils Clean

September 15, 2020

AC coils support the heat transfer that is vital to proper functioning of your HVAC system. One of the tasks performed during an HVAC maintenance appointment in Tampa, FL is cleaning the coils thoroughly to support this process. While you should leave cleaning primarily to the professionals, there are ways to keep coils clean between appointments. Here are six tips to help you out:

  • Do not touch: AC coils and the fins on the evaporator are delicate. They bend easily, and DIY efforts can damage them. Your HVAC professional uses equipment that can clean them thoroughly without causing damage. So, even if the coils seem in desperate need of attention, do not try methods using forceful scrubbing or excessive touching. You will only risk a bigger problem.
  • Change filters: A big part of keeping coils clean is replacing the air filter on a regular basis. This is an easy DIY task, and you can usually get a filter for your AC unit at a local hardware store. The filter catches dust and debris that would otherwise stick to your evaporator and coils and reduce performance. Check your air filter once a month and replace it as necessary. Depending on where you live and the type of landscaping you maintain, you will likely be replacing filters every one to three months.
  • Control plant growth: Tall grass, leafy trees and large bushes all bring dust and debris into your AC unit. Reduce this element by creating a two-foot perimeter around your AC unit and allow no plant growth within it. Pull weeds, trim grass and bushes and cut back tree branches that keep growing into this area. This includes overhanging limbs as well as anything in the ground.
  • Reduce waste: Do not allow waste to accumulate around your AC unit. When you mow your lawn, collect clippings in a bag and compost or recycle them away from your unit. If you live on a busy street, watch for any litter that piles up in your yard and remove it. Keep compost piles, garbage cans and toy storage away from your AC. To better enforce this rule, consider building an enclosure or marking the area that needs to be kept clear.
  • Remove debris as you see it: When leaves get stuck in your coils or condenser, remove them. The same is true of wood chips, rocks, branches or sticks. While we discourage touching the coils, you can usually remove disruptive items from them without touching or damaging them. However, if a branch or any other type of falling debris gets stuck in the coils or within your condenser, call someone to remove it. Quickly pulling it out could damage your AC.
  • Hose off coils: If you notice dirt accumulation, quickly hosing off your coils will increase efficiency and leave them cleaner. Before you take this step, shut the power off. You do not need a shocking experience! Also, do not use a pressure washer—only use a standard garden hose at normal pressure. That will be sufficient for most surface dust.

If you seek reliable HVAC maintenance in Tampa, FL, Kenny’s Air Conditioning & Heating Services, Inc. is here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

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