How To Clean An Evaporator Coil

Samuel Akpan January 26, 2023

0 144 6 minutes read

How To Clean An Evaporator Coil: Your air conditioning system’s coils may become coated with dust and other particles due to air moving across them. Systems with unclean coils consume more energy and perform less effectively in cooling spaces. You may extend the lifespan and cooling effectiveness of your air conditioning system by cleaning the evaporator coils of air handling units before the cooling season begins each year! Note that no matter which cleaning technique you select, you must first prepare the air handling unit and then finish by re-engaging the air handler and turning on the system. Enough Info

FAQs & Answers

1, Are commercial cleaners for cleaning evaporator coils more effective?

It relies on the specific cleaning agents utilized, the unique circumstance, and the desired outcomes. Generally speaking, commercial cleaners made especially for cleaning evaporator coils could produce better results than everyday items. However, some folks might discover that homemade cleaners are just as useful.

2, How often should evaporator coils be cleaned?

Evaporator coils must be cleaned since they continue to accumulate dust over time. The evaporator and condenser coils of your air conditioner should be properly cleaned annually as part of your system’s regular maintenance in order to avoid dirt and debris from affecting the heat exchange process.

3, What happens if AC coils are dirty?

Your AC will be less effective if it is covered in dirt, which will increase your monthly energy costs. The ability of your AC to absorb and release heat will be hampered by dirt accumulation on its coils, which will reduce the system’s efficiency. It might even begin to feel like your air conditioner is running nonstop.

Preparing the Air Handling Unit

Cut off the electricity to the air handler and the A/C system

Indoors, air handler units are typically found in an attic or closet. Flip the toggle switch next to the air handler to turn off the power (the switch looks like a light switch). If the toggle switch is not visible, turn off the power at the circuit breaker handle. How To Cope With Annoying People

Air handlers and air conditioners are not the same. The condenser is normally located outside the house and is contained in the air conditioner. The A/C system includes both air handlers and air conditioners.

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The air handler unit’s access panel should be removed

With the aid of a socket wrench, nut driver, or screwdriver, you may remove the screws and other fasteners on the panel. Any reflective metal foil tape that may be present along the panel edges should be taken off as well.

The panel and screws should be set away so they won’t become misplaced or separated.
Check the owner’s manual for your air conditioning system if you’re having trouble finding the panel.

Find the coils for the evaporator

These are often found on the furnace’s outlet side or the fan coil’s air intake side. Coils are often composed of copper, steel, or aluminum and comprise tubes that have been bent into U shapes and installed between two panels to form an A-frame. Fins, which are tiny aluminum pieces, line the inside of these panels.

Using a Brush and Pump Sprayer

Purchase a brush, a pump sprayer, and a cleaning solution

The bench brush will catch and hook debris inside the unit, the spray wand will reach the narrow spots inside the unit, and professional-grade alkaline cleaning solution for evaporator coils will release dirt and mold from inside the coils. How To Make A Fursona(2023Guide)

As old pump sprayers might have been used for poisons like weed killer or insecticide, the pump sprayer should be between 1 US gal (3.8 L) and 2.5 US gal (9.5 L) and brand new.
Larger sprayers perform best for an extensive cleaning, whereas 1 US gal (3.8 L) sprayers are suitable for routine cleaning and lightly soiled coils.

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Spray the coils with a mixture of the cleaning agent

To make the cleaning solution, adhere to the product’s directions. A spray volume of 1 US gal (3.8 L) should be adequate for a standard cleaning. Although the spray should be set to a fine.25 in (0.64 cm) mist, it shouldn’t be so strong that it bends the coil fins. Pump sprayers greater than 2 US gal. are often concerned about this (7.6 L).

Give the coils some time to dry after that.
Make sure you can see the condensate drain pan where the soiled cleaning solution is flowing.
You might need to spray the coils from a low angle in order to remove large chunks of trash.

Brush the coils while frequently rinsing the brush

To make certain that there are no leftover chemicals or dirt being transferred to the coils, the brush should be rinsed in a fresh pail of clean water. The brush removes bits of dirt and debris that are too tenacious for the spray to clean up. The fins should never be brushed since this can cause them to fold and bend. Airflow will be obstructed as a result. How To Change Layer Opacity In Procreate

Short brush strokes provide perfectly straight up and down brushing motions.
After brushing, respray both sides of the coils with the cleaning solution to get rid of any loose dirt.
As an alternative, you can remove and collect all of the dust using a vacuum brush attachment.

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Reattach the evaporator coil access panel, then use HVAC tape to seal the seam

The top and bottom seams of the panel should have metal foil tape applied to them. Do not cover the access panel’s manufacturer label with tape; service workers could require it later.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are collectively known as HVAC.

Cleaning with Mild Detergents and Water

In a spray bottle, combine dish-washing detergent and warm water

Make sure the detergent is not overly acidic and use only a few drops of it. Acidic cleaners have the potential to corrode the copper and other metals used in the coil, reducing its lifespan.

A hand sprayer or garden sprayer can also be used.

Spray the evaporator coils with the water/detergent mixture

Allow the solution to soak in and loosen particles for a few seconds to a few minutes. If necessary, reapply. You can either let the coil drain naturally or give it a quick cleaning with some water.

With a soft cloth or brush, remove any loose material

Avoid bumping the A-fin frames since this could bend them. If you decide to wipe the fins, never wipe them horizontally as this could cause them to fold and obstruct airflow in the future.

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Using a commercial cleaner

To clean the evaporator coils, get a commercial cleaner

The majority of home improvement retailers carry a number of brands. The bulk of cleansers is of the foaming variety and designed to dissolve material before draining into the plumbing of the appliance.

Directly on the coils, spray the cleanser

Coat the surfaces completely and evenly. The A/C will have already been operating, therefore it is preferable to do this on a warm day. Condensate water can then be used to rinse the coils.

Pour a bleach/water solution of 1 US qt (0.95 L) into the drain pan

Half household bleach and half water should be used to make the solution. This guarantees that the drain line is clear of obstructions and algae. After the foam has properly gathered in your unit and rinsed itself off, it will drain away. How To Get Wood Stain Out Of Clothes

To avoid this, you can purchase time-release algae tablets to pour into the drain pan.

Down the condensate drain tube, pour some water

The drain pan is reached by this tube’s exit. This will enable you to check that the tube is draining effectively. Call an HVAC contractor to unclog the tube if it appears to be blocked, as shown by, for example, standing water in the drain pan. If so, stop using the air conditioning system.

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Put cleaner on again

Continue doing this until the coils are clean and buildup-free. Prior to applying the extra cleaner, make sure to wait until the cleaner has completely drained and liquidized the debris.

Another choice

Consult with experts if your air conditioning system is excessively dirty and grossly polluted. You can rely on a wide range of service providers. They have the necessary training and expertise to deal with challenging evaporator coils. On the other side, you can learn how to clean evaporator coils without it by following this guide. How To Overcome Lust(A Guide2023)

You may therefore be sure that they will do the task swiftly and accurately. Consider it an investment even though the cost is higher than if you were to clean the coils yourself. Your air conditioner deserves the best, after all. There you have it, then! It’s not as difficult as it seems to clean the evaporator coils in an air conditioner, right?

Conclusion

With that, our thorough guide on cleaning AC evaporator coils is now complete. It should have been clear and beneficial. When you decide to clean your own HVAC evaporator coils, remember to save this post so you can refer to it again. Also, don’t forget to tell us about your experience in the comments below. Any feedback from our readers is always welcome. Don’t hold back, then! How To Heal A Broken Heart(A Guide2023)