How To Clean AC Coils Like a Pro - 2023 Guide

Introduction

The best way to keep your air conditioning system running at peak efficiency is to clean the coils. Dirty AC coils can cause higher energy bills, so knowing how to clean them is essential for saving money on electricity.

What Are AC Coils?

In an air conditioner, the coils are the component responsible for cooling the air. They are within your appliance, typically in a coil panel on the side or rear.

The coils are made up of copper tubing and are cooled by refrigerant—a gas used for cooling water. The refrigerant is pumped through these tubes, which help to transfer heat from inside your home to the outside (or vice versa). The condenser, which is mounted outside your house, is connected to these tubes so that it can pull out heat from them as needed.

Why do You need to Clean Your AC Coils & Dangers of a Dirty Coil?

One of the most important things you can do to keep your air conditioning system running efficiently is to clean the coils. Dirty coils can cause your AC to run inefficiently and prevent it from cooling your home effectively, which will make your bills skyrocket. If you don’t clean the coils regularly, they can clog up with dirt and dust, causing them to overheat and break down—not something any homeowner wants! Dirty coils are also notorious for causing bad smells that can permeate your house or business. Additionally, a buildup of dust in an un-cleaned HVAC unit may require regular maintenance visits at exorbitant costs. 

How to Clean the AC Coils?

1. Gather the right tools. You will want a soft brush, coil cleaner, and a vacuum with an upholstery attachment; these are the three most common tools used in this process. Gather all of your tools together before starting so that everything is easy to find when needed.
2. Turn off the power at the breaker box-you never want to start a job without doing this because if something goes wrong while working on an electrical component it could be very dangerous! It is also important that you shut off your cooling system before cleaning or replacing any parts within it; doing so can cause damage if done improperly!
3. Open and clean the access panels. You need to remove the access panel that is attached to your interior air conditioning unit by removing the screws, nuts, or other fasteners that are keeping it in place. The evaporator coils, which are the big, flattened tubes within the air handler, should now be visible. They should be arranged in a group that closely resembles the letter A. Be prepared since that assembly's inside will be the dirtiest!
4. Clean the inside coils. Once you've cleaned up access panels, take some time cleaning everything inside! To start, brush out any large pieces of dirt or debris from the coils using the nylon scrub brush. Work your way down, beginning at the top. The objective is to "jostle out" any large bits so they fall out of the coils and may be vacuumed up rather than completely clean the coils.
5. Clean the outside coils. The next step is to clean the outside coils. The top and side covers of the condenser unit must be removed. Vacuum any dust or dirt out of the unit and remove any debris that may be around (or within!) the appliance. Condenser coils should have their fins repaired and should be cleaned using coil cleaner. After that, spray water onto the coils with a hose to clean them of dust and grime.
6. Remove coil fins for deeper cleaning. Next, you should remove coil fins for deeper cleaning by gently pulling at one end fin using needle nose pliers until they snip out; repeat the process across the entire surface area of coil fins until all are removed and replaced back into place after cleaning has been done.
7. Clean or replace the filter and seal up the unit. Open the access panel on the back of the device where the filters are situated to remove the old filters. Make sure they are out of reach as they are still directly connected to a power source. Clean both sides with warm water mixed with vinegar or baking soda- this should help remove any dirt that may have remained. Now, you may be able to seal up the device after cleaning.

A clean coil will make your AC more efficient, meaning you'll save hundreds of dollars on energy bills.

A clean coil will make your AC more efficient, meaning you'll save hundreds of dollars on energy bills. You'll also get better performance from your AC unit, so if you've noticed that the air in your home isn't as cold as it used to be or it seems like the house is always hotter than it should be, a dirty coil may be to blame. A clean coil will improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system by up to 25%.

Conclusion

Cleaning your AC coils is one of the easiest ways to save money on energy bills, but it's also one of the most overlooked. Just take a few minutes every spring and fall, and you'll be able to enjoy better air quality without spending any extra money!

Check out TCL ACs with CleanXpress Innovation for a 4-step auto clean mode that will make your AC cleaning much easier than ever!

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