Do I Really Need to Clean My Air Conditioner Coils?

 “Do I Really Need to Clean My Air Conditioner Coils?” I hear this from home owners all the time. I know that they think this is just some needless service Air Conditioning Contractors have come with up to make more money. On the other hand some business owners do know the value, coil cleaning is the “Green Thing to Do’, because it saves energy costs. We receive requests just for coil cleaning after a dust storm.  When we get the occasional “Mud Storm”, a combination of dust with monsoon rain, an air-conditioning coil can be coated with mud, sometimes blocking air flow completely.

Just .042 inch of dirt on a heating and cooling coil can lead to decreased efficiency of 21%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 21% efficiency reduction is substantial and that is with only a thin layer of dust and dirt. This dirt also causes your air conditioner or heat pump to work harder which can cause parts to wear out faster and lead to more expensive repairs or premature replacement of your unit.

When our cars get dirty after a storm we wash them. When our patio gets dirty after a storm we clean it. Well, our air conditioner and heat pump coils are outside and get all the same dust, dirt and debris trapped in between the fins of the coils. Washing the car or the patio might raise your water bill a little for the day, but a dirty A/C coil cost you more on your electric bill for months.

We spray a special solution on you’re A/C coil to get to the dirt trapped between the fins but does not damage the other components. This is a job for a professional.  

So in conclusion, when the A/C serviceman advises you that your coil needs cleaning, it is needed to keep your unit operating efficiently to reduce energy costs and increase the life of your unit.

Service Star Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical is located in the Phoenix Metro area, in the middle of a desert, which presents us with some regional conditions that are different from other areas like the Midwest or Coastal regions. There are other special situations I will be addressing in future blogs, so check back often for more informative articles.

Remember, you can always call us at 480-238-5151 to get answers to all your cooling, heating, plumbing & electrical questions, or check our website, www.servicestarac.com .  You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.