AC Coil Maintenance

Dirty Coil?

If it’s been a while since you had your AC coil cleaned or serviced then chances are you are going to need to have it cleaned. As a by-product of normal operation the evaporator coil on your HVAC system is going to collect dust. If you’ve ever noticed how a cold glass will form condensation and how anything damp or wet seems to collect dust then you have a pretty good understanding of why your AC coil will get dirty. It’s the same processes. During normal operation your coil will pull moisture out of the air as condensation (Which is why you have a drip pan) and any dust that is present in the air will naturally stick to that condensation.
Anderson AC Coil Maint

So You’re Ready to Clean Your Coil

You’ll need a few things in order to properly clean your coil

  • Gloves
  • Screwdrivers (Flathead and Phillips) or hex sockets
  • Coil cleaner
  • Fin comb
  • Soft paintbrush
  • New Filter

First things first, turn off your HVAC unit. You don’t need to disconnect power to it, but will want to turn it off. Next you’re going to have to locate your air handler which will house the evaporator coil. This could be on your roof, in the attic, the basement, or even in a utility closet. The coil will be placed after the fan and behind a service panel.

Remove the service panel and inspect the condition of the coil. If it is really dirty, use the paintbrush to remove any large dust bunnies. Next read the directions on your coil cleaning spray and apply it to the coil. Let the cleaner do its work and pull off the remaining dust from the coil. Don’t worry about trying to collect the dripping cleaner as it will collect in the drip pan and exit through the drain line.

Now that the coil is clean and you can see the condition of it better, use the fin comb to straighten-out any bends, dents or kinks in the fins. A bent fin means obstructed airflow and lower efficiencies (And a higher bill!). When doing this step make sure to put on your gloves as the fins are sharp and cut skin easily.

Your coil is now clean and fins straightened. Put the service panel back on the air handler and secure it tightly, taking special care to align it properly against the seals — you don’t want any leaks here.

Next, replace your air filter with the new one.

That’s It!

You’ve now properly cleaned and maintained your AC coil. With twice yearly cleanings your coil will be sure to function properly over the life of your system. If you would rather have one of our trained technicians at Anderson Air Corps service your coil for you, or if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to call us for service!