Does My Evaporator Coil Need to Be Cleaned?
TechXpert verified by Ken Kontra
You may need to have your evaporator coil cleaned during your yearly maintenance check or more often, as needed. Your evaporator coil can easily collect dust and dirt. If left alone for too long, debris can build up and slow down your system. This makes cleaning your evaporator coil an important step in your HVAC maintenance.
Cleaning Guide
Where do you begin? Well, there are three main ways to clean an evaporator coil.
Brush It Off
If a light breeze doesn’t do the trick, your coils might need a little extra love. Brushing away stubborn dirt can help your coils breathe, but avoid harsh bristles and keep brush strokes soft to help prevent damage to the fins of the coil. Always vacuum up any dirt removed by this process before turning the system back on.
Squeaky Clean
Taking a bath can help you feel fresh and ready for a new day — the same goes for your evaporator coil. Evaporator coils can be cleaned with either a mild detergent and water or a commercial cleaner of your choice. Soaking can help detach hard stuck-on dirt and give your evaporator coils that "squeaky clean" feeling.
The Big Guns
If your AC evaporator coil has some stubborn dirt and dust that just won't budge, it's probably time to call in an HVAC contractor. A specialist can come in and assess the damage to your coils, and bring in the right tools to fix your dusty dilemma.
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