Dirty AC Evaporator Coil? Here’s Why You Should Be Concerned

Dirt can be a dangerous enemy of your air conditioner. When left to accumulate on various parts of the system, dirt can cause a number of issues, particularly in regard to the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner. One component that’s susceptible to dirt buildup and can create problems when it becomes dirty is the evaporator coil.

In this article, top-rated cooling and heating service provider Bill Reynolds Heating & Air Conditioning shares more information about the AC evaporator coil, listing some signs that will tell you if it’s dirty, as well as tips on preventing dirt buildup on this AC component.

Signs of a Dirty Evaporator Coil

The main job of your AC’s evaporator coil is to absorb heat from the air inside your home. With such an essential function, even a small amount of dirt buildup on this part can affect your AC’s performance and cause problems in your cooling system. Below are the most common symptoms that indicate a dirty evaporator coil:

Insufficient cooling. You may notice that the room still doesn’t feel cool enough no matter how long your air conditioner has been running. Sometimes you may even feel like warm air is coming out of your air registers. These issues are often due to a dirty evaporator coil that’s become ineffective at removing heat from your home. Of course, when the evaporator coil is unable to handle removing the heat inside your house, your air conditioner will have a hard time cooling your home. 

Constantly running AC. Your air conditioner is programmed to run in cycles. This means that when the temperature inside your home exceeds your thermostat setting, the AC will automatically kick in until the temperature returns to the desired level. However, if the evaporator coil is dirty, it will take more time for your AC to cool your home. This causes the cycles to last longer, making it seem like your air conditioner is constantly running.

Frozen evaporator coil. Freezing is the result of condensation and dirt buildup on the coil. When dirt accumulates on the evaporator coil, it limits the amount of heat that the coil can absorb. This causes moisture to build up on the coil as well. Of course, with cold temperatures, this water can freeze and turn into ice, potentially breaking down your air conditioner in the process. At this point, you’ll need to call an expert to carry out air conditioner repair.

Ways to Prevent a Dirty Evaporator Coil

Although the evaporator coil is prone to accumulating dirt, there are a few ways to help prevent this as well as the subsequent problems that may be caused by dirt buildup. Below are some maintenance tips from HVAC professionals:

Change our air filter regularly. Replace your air filter on a regular basis. Typically, the recommended schedule for air filter replacement is every 60 to 90 days. However, if you have pets that shed a lot or a family member with respiratory allergies or breathing issues, it’s best to change your filter every 30 days. In addition, you should also take time to vacuum and clear out any accumulated dust and pet hair in and around the vents.

Upgrade your air filter. Check what kind of air filter you have and consider upgrading to a higher-quality filter if possible. Make sure to consult an expert, though. While a high-quality filter can remove a larger amount of particles and contaminants from the indoor air circulating through your vents, your air filter should have a rating that doesn’t exceed what your air conditioning unit can handle. Otherwise, your AC will wear out faster.

Have your air conditioner checked twice a year. Schedule AC maintenance twice a year so that you can keep your unit in optimal health. With the help of an HVAC professional, you can be alerted of any problems that arise with your AC. This may seem like an additional expense, but it’s definitely a small price to pay to keep your AC in good shape. Problems caused by a dirty evaporator coil can lead to costly repairs, and can also contribute to higher utility bills.

Why You Should Hire a Professional to Clean Your Evaporator Coil

When it comes to cleaning or repairing the evaporator coil, it’s highly recommended to hire a professional to carry out the task for you. The evaporator coil can be found inside the internal unit of your AC or near the air handler where the blower fan is located. Due to its location, it can be difficult to access and clean the coil. For this reason, it’s best to have an HVAC professional handle the job, as they have the expertise and necessary tools to perform the task safely and correctly.

Make sure that you know your contractor well. Check into their qualifications and the specific services they offer so that you can be sure they really have the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job properly. It’s also important for their HVAC technicians to be familiar with the particular make and model of your air conditioning system. This will give you the assurance that they know their way around your AC unit. Furthermore, since different cooling systems have unique specifications and requirements, their familiarity with your AC unit will allow them to provide appropriate recommendations for your system and avoid any mistakes on the job. Lastly, don’t forget to check if the HVAC company has the proper insurance for the protection of you and their employees. Make sure their insurance policies are valid at the time of the HVAC job.

Bill Reynolds Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned and -operated business known for providing superior services. We’ve been serving local clients for more than 60 years, and we always make sure to keep abreast of the latest HVAC technologies and standards. So whether the job calls for furnace installation or AC repair, you can count on us to deliver quality results. Call us at (440) 946-7863 or fill out our contact form to request a quote.