The condenser coils on your air conditioning unit play a critical role in your overall air conditioning system. Therefore, they need to be taken care of and cleaned regularly. Dirty condenser coils can interfere with the overall operation of your air conditioning unit. Below is a DIY guide for cleaning the condenser coils on your air conditioner.
Your air conditioning system is made up of numerous parts that have to work together. When one part gets dirty or worn out, it impacts the other parts of the system.
What Your Condenser Coils Do for Your AC Unit
Your condenser coil is located in the unit that sits on a cement pad outside of your house. Refrigerant travels through the condenser coils. The refrigerant cools off your condenser coil and makes it really cold. After that, the outside air blows over the condenser.
This is how the air that is pumped through your home is cooled off. Once the air is cooled off, it is then pumped through your home. Therefore, your condenser coil plays a vital role in keeping your house cool.
How to Keep Your Condenser Coils Clean
Without a functioning condenser coil, you will not have cold air in your home. Over time, all that air that blows over the condenser coil can have an impact. In addition, dust and other debris get left behind on the condenser coil. Cleaning the condenser coils is something you can do quickly and efficiently in just a few simple steps.
- Turn OFF the AC
- Remove outer case and caging
- Clear out debris and broken fins
- Spray out the unit
- Rinse and dry your AC
- Inspect coil fins for damage
- Reassemble the air conditioner condenser
However, cleaning an AC condenser coil is really a delicate job that is better handled by a professional. Your condenser coil should only be cleaned when it is not cold. Be gentle when cleaning the condenser coil to ensure that the compressor and surrounding components are not damaged.
The Impact of Dirty Condenser Coils on Your AC Unit
There can be severe consequences when you fail to clean the condenser coils in the outside portion of your air conditioning unit. As dirt builds up on your condenser, the refrigerant will not work as effectively, causing it not to cool down properly. In addition, when the coils fail to cool off properly, they cannot participate in the transfer of heat process that leads to the cool air that blows through your home.
This will cause your entire air conditioning unit to work harder to cool the air. This will lead to an overall reduction in the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and higher energy bills.
Ensure that you keep the condenser coils in your air conditioning unit clean by having an HVAC specialist clean and inspect your system yearly. This will help ensure that your Air Conditioner can make the cool air you need to beat the heat.
