It’s a hot summer day and the air conditioner has been running all day, but yet somehow the office isn’t cooling down at all. What once had felt like the Arctic tundra two years ago now feels like the Amazon Rainforest. When this happens, it is likely a matter of dirty coils hindering the efficiency of the HVAC system.
Importance of Coil Cleaning
When coils are dirty, it causes the whole HVAC unit to work harder, increasing the energy consumption by up to 30%. Not only does the efficiency decrease, but the air quality can decrease as well. Uncleaned coils can become a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal growth. These harmful microbes can be picked up from evaporator coils in the airflow and be carried throughout the building, possibly resulting in Sick Building Syndrome.
Coil Cleaning Frequency
How frequently coil cleaning occurs depends upon the environment, both inside and outside, of the facility. External environments play into how frequently the condenser coils need to be cleaned, while internal environments determine the frequency at which the evaporator coils need to be cleaned. For businesses like veterinary clinics, groomers, and casinos, evaporator coils will need more frequent cleanings. Condenser coils should be cleaned more frequently if there is excess air pollution (including forest fires), dust, pollen, or other debris that could build up on coils.
Determining Cleaning Frequency
When establishing a cleaning schedule to accommodate for environmental factors, visual monthly inspection is the first step. By visually inspecting the coils, it can be determined if there is any build up on the system. This is the best way to establish how quickly the coils are accumulating dust, dirt, and debris. We recommend taking a photo each month of your coils so that you can see the difference from month to month. This will also help you know when it’s time to have your coils cleaned and possibly other parts of your HVAC system.
The second step is to contact a professional company trained in cleaning coils as they have the knowledge and expertise to help create a plan based upon visual observations. Companies who regularly perform coil cleanings, like Clear Air Enviro-Services, have a good understanding of how frequently different business types will need their coils cleaned based on the internal environment of the business and the frequency based upon the external environment.
Additional Tips
Extend the life of your HVAC system and reduce the total number of professional cleanings needed during the year by following these tips.
- Consistently change air filters throughout the year. It is important to pay attention to how dirty the filters are when changing them. If they appear to be extra dirty, more frequent filter changes are recommended. Clear Air Enviro-Services can take care of this for you when we clean your coils.
- Have air ducts professionally cleaned and sealed. Clean and sealed air ducts help prevent the spread of mold, fungus, and bacteria, while also preventing additional buildup on your evaporator coils. This service can be added to any coil cleaning service Clear Air Enviro-Service provides, although we don’t recommend the same frequency for air duct cleaning as we do coil cleanings.
- Clear debris from around the unit to maintain proper airflow. We are happy to help out with this at your regular cleanings as well.
