Professional Coil Cleaning
Whether a homeowner's concerns are budgetary or environmental, “efficiency” is one of the most common buzzwords of the day. An efficient air conditioner keeps the home cool and comfortable while keeping energy bills to a minimum. An inefficient air conditioner costs too much to operate and raises a home's carbon footprint.
A dirty evaporator coil is one of the most common impediments to efficient air conditioner function. When air filters go unchanged and the air in the house is heavy with pollutants, the evaporator coil in the air conditioner simply can’t keep up. Here are three signs that the evaporator coil is dirty and why evaporator coil cleaning is beneficial.
Loss of Cooling Function and Efficiency
Air conditioners are built with airflow being their number one function. When air moves easily through the air conditioner, bills drop, and comfort increases. This is how air conditioners are intended to operate.
One facet of free airflow is allowing air to pass through the evaporator coil in the air conditioner. The evaporator coil is what cools the air and removes humidity. When dirty air is pushed through the evaporator coil, dust and grime settle in the coil's fins and inhibit airflow. This means that the air conditioner has to work harder to cool the air in the home. The result is a stifling and warm home, with energy bills that have skyrocketed. Simply scheduling a coil cleaning can reverse the loss of cooling function and restore lost efficiency.
Frost and Frozen Evaporator Coil
When refrigerant evaporates, it becomes very cold, dropping to below-freezing temperatures. This process occurs in the evaporator coil and allows the air conditioner to cool the air. One of the operating principles of air conditioners is that warmer air must constantly flow across the evaporator coil to keep it from freezing.
When coils are dirty, humidity condenses on the coils and can’t drain away fast enough before the moisture freezes. This causes frost to form on the coils, and from there, a positive feedback loop occurs when air is slowed down because of the ice, so more frost forms. The result is a frozen coil with almost no air movement or cooling power to the AC. The coil will have to be defrosted and cleaned to restore power. Once these steps are taken, performance will be restored.
Longer Cycles
Low airflow and decreased efficiency that result from dirty evaporator coils can lead to another thing: longer cycles. When air conditioners can’t operate effectively, they must keep running to try and reach the temperature setpoint. Air conditioners with dirty coils must work harder and use more energy.
The result is an air conditioner that runs too long, sometimes continuously, and can still fail to cool the home. On top of that, energy bills will skyrocket. A simple coil cleaning by a professional can restore service and save homeowners money in the long run by restoring lost efficiency.
About Skovron Mechanical Services LLC.
Skovron Mechanical Services LLC. has over 15 years of experience serving its neighbors in Manchester, NH, and the surrounding areas. They offer upfront pricing, financing, and unparalleled customer service. Call them today for evaporator coil cleaning and repair in Manchester, NH.
