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What to Know About Cleaning Your Air Conditioner’s Evaporator Coils

There are quite a few things that you can do to maintain your air conditioner in your Burbank, CA home. Regularly removing debris from the perimeter of your air conditioner’s outside condenser, changing its filter, and cleaning off your HVAC air registers, vents, and grilles are all ways to keep your cooling equipment working efficiently. However, when it comes to cleaning your AC evaporator coil, it’s best to contact a professional. Read on to find out why.

Why AC Evaporator Coils Need Cleaned

The evaporator coil is one of the most important components in your air conditioner. This coil absorbs excess heat during the cooling process. The chilled refrigerant that it contains extracts heat from the air that’s cycled over it. Over time, build-ups of dust and other debris can increasingly impact the evaporator coil’s performance. By having these accumulations removed, you can keep your air conditioner from icing over and limit the amount of energy that your AC uses.

Problems You Can Cause When Cleaning the AC Evaporator Coil on Your Own

Although there are special soaps and tools that homeowners can purchase to clean AC evaporator coils on their own, air conditioner manufacturers recommend having these components cleaned by technicians who understand the risks of the job. Using the wrong tools, applying too much pressure, and leveraging the wrong cleaning techniques can lead to refrigerant leaks, bent or broken evaporator fins, and other costly equipment damage.

How Often Do AC Evaporator Coils Need Cleaned?

An air conditioner’s evaporator coil should be cleaned at least once annually. Fortunately, coil cleaning is a key part of professional AC tune-up service. To keep your AC manufacturer warranty intact and to continue enjoying any additional protections provided by your home insurance plan or your home warranty agreement, it’s important to schedule tune-up service every 12 months. Annual tune-ups extend the lifespans of air conditioners, improve their efficiency, and limit the likelihood of major repair issues. Thus, instead of shouldering the responsibility of coil cleaning yourself, you can place this essential maintenance task in the hands of seasoned professionals.

We’ve been serving residential and commercial property owners throughout Burbank, CA and the surrounding area for more than 40 years. We offer air conditioner and heater repair, installation, and maintenance services. We also provide AC performance tune-ups, indoor air quality solutions, and ductless mini-splits. To schedule an appointment, get in touch with Certified Service now!