Your air conditioner has a tough job. It works hard throughout the summer to keep you as comfortable as possible, but things will inevitably happen that affect its performance. One of those things is dirt buildup on your condenser coil. That’s why condenser coil cleaning is an essential part of keeping your unit running as efficiently as possible.
What are condenser coils?
Condenser coils are located outside of your home in your condensing unit. After refrigerant has turned into a gas and collected heat from inside your home, it travels to the condenser coils where that heat is transferred into the air that’s blown over the coils. Inside the coils, the refrigerant cools down, turns back into a liquid, and is sent back into your home.
Why is condenser coil cleaning important?
Over time, dirt and debris get sucked into your outdoor condensing unit and begin to coat your condenser coil. This makes it difficult for the condenser coil to do its job because it is harder to transfer heat to the outside air when the coil is covered with dirt.
Without condenser coil cleaning, your air conditioner will use more energy while simultaneously reducing its ability to cool your home. Essentially, you’ll be paying more for a unit that is doing less.
How often should condenser coil cleaning be performed?
Your outside condenser coil should be cleaned at least once a year, especially here in the St. Louis area where we rely on our air conditioners for months at a time. Luckily, condenser coil cleaning is a standard part of air conditioner preventive maintenance, so if you’re taking good care of your unit this task will be performed for you.
During maintenance, your technician will also straighten out any of the condenser’s fins that may have bent since your last maintenance. Bent fins can restrict airflow, so straightening them out can help maximize your condensing unit’s efficiency.
What can you do to help keep your condenser coil clean?
Throughout the year, it’s best to keep away as much debris and foliage as you can from your condensing unit. Remove any visible debris that you can see around your unit, and trim back your foliage at least two feet to prevent further debris and allow for good airflow.
If you have any questions about condenser coil cleaning, or if you’d like to schedule preventive maintenance on your air conditioner, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, your St. Louis area heating and cooling company.
