Regular cleaning and maintenance are important if you want your HVAC system to last a long time. Even if you do the cleaning yourself, you’ll still sometimes need a professional to take care of some of its components. This includes the evaporator coil, which can accumulate dirt over time and prevent your home comfort system from working efficiently.
Here All Seasons, Inc., a top local heating and air conditioning company, explains how you can determine if it’s indeed dirty.
You probably won’t notice a dirty evaporator coil since it’s hidden inside your HVAC unit, which is why you need to stay on the lookout for other signs by closely monitoring indoor temperatures in the different areas of your home. For instance, if you notice that your room doesn’t cool to the desired temperature even after inputting the correct setting on your thermostat, something’s probably wrong with your HVAC system. It’s likely that the coil is covered with dirt, preventing it from removing indoor heat as part of the cooling process.
A frozen evaporator coil is another sign that there’s dirt buildup. This is mainly because the dirt restricts its ability to absorb heat and causes condensation that can freeze up on the coil. When this happens, the system is forced to work harder while trying to keep temperatures at comfortable levels. It will then consume more energy, increasing not only the risk of a premature breakdown, but also your energy bills.
Since the evaporator coil is located within your HVAC unit, you shouldn’t try to clean it yourself. It’s best to call in one of the trusted AC and furnace companies in the area to avoid risking potential damage to your unit. They can safely remove the housing of the HVAC unit and have a good look around.
If you want to prevent dirt from building up on your evaporator coil, it needs to be professionally maintained at least twice a year. This means a certified technician should inspect your unit and address any issues they may find to keep it running in peak condition. This is also required by most HVAC warranties to keep them valid.
Cleaning or replacing your air filters regularly is also recommended, as every few months they accumulate quite a bit of dirt and dust. How often you should change your filters will depend on the local environment, as well as your family situation. It should be done more often if you have pets or a family member that has allergies. Also, consider upgrading to higher-quality air filters that can capture more particles and keep your indoor air cleaner.
All Seasons, Inc. is a trusted HVAC company you can rely on for all your heating and air conditioning needs. We’re also one of the top electric panel companies in the area that offers electrical repair work and panel replacements and upgrades. Call us today at (253) 879-9144 or fill out our online contact form! We serve residents in Tacoma and Gig Harbor, WA.