A clean evaporator coil breathes easily
Whether your HVAC system is heating or cooling, all the air that moves through it passes through the evaporator coil, making the cleanliness of this component critical to optimal functioning. If the delicate fins on the surface of the coil become clogged with debris, air flow throughout the system becomes choked, inviting breakdowns. Some of the main reasons for a clogged evaporator coil include:
In the image below, the tiny aluminum fins of the coil are not even visible, completely suffocated by pet fur and other debris several millimeters thick. In a situation such as this, air flow through the system is greatly hindered and the furnace or AC is working much harder than necessary in order to reach target temperature, causing much wear and tear on system components.
- using a cheap air filter, which may allow large debris particles to pass through
- filter bypass, caused by an ill-fitting filter, which allows dirt and debris to go around it and infiltrate critical furnace components
- having no air filter in place at all, which, incredibly, is often observed by our technicians in the field
In the image below, the tiny aluminum fins of the coil are not even visible, completely suffocated by pet fur and other debris several millimeters thick. In a situation such as this, air flow through the system is greatly hindered and the furnace or AC is working much harder than necessary in order to reach target temperature, causing much wear and tear on system components.
How we clean it
The evaporator coil (or "A-coil," for its triangular shape), often situated atop the furnace, is frequently difficult to access, hidden behind a bolted panel. In many cases the level of difficulty in accessing the panel is a determining factor in the cost of cleaning it. Cased coils or ducted plenum coils are much more difficult to access than uncased coils.
Once the technician has safely created access, he removes the triangular plate at the bottom of the coil to gain access through the underside. A variety of tools are used for cleaning, each serving its own purpose:
Once the technician has safely created access, he removes the triangular plate at the bottom of the coil to gain access through the underside. A variety of tools are used for cleaning, each serving its own purpose:
- a three-inch round dust-brush head
- a tentacled air whip (such as the Viper)
- non-rinsing coil cleaner
- a high-pressured air wand
- an industrial-strength vacuum
When the debris cover is thick and includes a mass of hair or fur, the first step is to simply peel it off, which can frequently be done in one or two motions. What's left behind are smaller particles, clinging to the fins. These are removed with a 3-inch dust-brush, using an up-and-down motion in the same direction as the fins so as not to damage them. If debris is gummy, or in hard-to-reach areas, especially at the top of the coil where it forms an "A," a multi-tentacled whip may be used to agitate it loose.
Any remaining debris would be tackled with a soft wire brush or non-rinsing coil cleaner (especially if there is any staining). The final step is to blow the coil out gently, using compressed air and an industrial vacuum on the other side to catch debris particles. Finally, a flashlight is held up to one side of the coil to ensure light passes through completely unobstructed by any remaining impactions. In a clean coil, the tiny spaces between the fins (through which air circulates) should be clearly visible.
Any remaining debris would be tackled with a soft wire brush or non-rinsing coil cleaner (especially if there is any staining). The final step is to blow the coil out gently, using compressed air and an industrial vacuum on the other side to catch debris particles. Finally, a flashlight is held up to one side of the coil to ensure light passes through completely unobstructed by any remaining impactions. In a clean coil, the tiny spaces between the fins (through which air circulates) should be clearly visible.
Super-clogged evaporator coil
Our team opens up the access panel to find a completely clogged evaporator coil.
Questions? Reach out.
If we don't respond immediately we're at a job site, but you'll hear back before the end of the day.
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