When is the last time you had your commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) coils cleaned? If it has been longer than a year, then you may want to perform a quick inspection. If you see build up like dirt and debris, it would be in your best interest to schedule a cleaning as soon as possible.
What is an HVAC Coil and Why Does it Need Cleaning?
You may ask, “Is it really that big of an issue if the coils aren’t cleaned regularly?” The answer is short and sweet—it’s an emphatic “Yes!” It may be hard to believe that something as simple as a coil could be so important, but it is. In fact, those coils are the most important parts of your unit. If you allow them to go uncleaned for too long, it could eventually ruin—or at least lower the efficiency of—the unit.
Coils are crucial components that play a major role in the operation of your commercial HVAC unit. The process of heat exchange occurs in the coils. Meaning without those coils your HVAC would be unable to pump out cold or hot air. There are a few things you should know to better understand the importance of coil cleaning. We’ll start with the different types of coils in your HVAC and what they do.
Evaporator Coils
Your commercial HVAC relies on two different types of coils to provide heating and cooling. We’ll start with the coil specifically responsible for cooling and heating the air—the evaporator coil. Evaporator coils (a.k.a. chiller coils) are located indoors, within the ductwork. As air moves through the ducts, the air is pushed against these coils. Refrigerant courses through these coils, allowing them to absorb heat and moisture from the air or add heat to it depending on whether you’re using the air conditioner (AC) or furnace. The cool or warm air circulating through the room is the result.
Condenser Coil
The second type of coil, the condenser coil, is responsible for regulating the temperature of the refrigerant. Once the refrigerant passes through the evaporator coils, it then travels to the condenser coils located either outside or in a mechanical room that has access to the outside. These coils allow for the refrigerant to release heat energy outside of the building, returning the fluid to an optimal temperature.
What Happens If I Don’t Clean the Coils?
When you don’t perform regular condenser or evaporator coil cleaning, it provides an opportunity for dirt and debris to collect. The more grime there is, the harder it is for these coils to operate. As a result, the dirty coils must work harder for the heat transfer to occur. Ultimately, the loss in efficiency will leave you with higher energy costs. In addition, dirty coils can also invite bacteria and mold growth, negatively affecting your building’s indoor air quality.
How Often Should They Be Cleaned?
Now that you know how important coil cleaning is, the next question you probably have is, “How often should they be cleaned?” It’s recommended that you clean your coils once or twice a year. A good rule of thumb would be to make coil cleaning a part of your routine maintenance plan. The age of your unit can also play a factor in how often you’ll need to perform a cleaning.
Let A&G Services Help You With Your Coil Cleaning Needs
As a business owner, you want to cut down on unnecessary costs as much as possible to maximize profits. Cleaning your coils is one of the best ways to save money on energy bills. At A&G Services, our goal is to make sure your HVAC is running smoothly and efficiently. In addition to our many preventative HVAC maintenance services, we’ll make sure your coils are clean every time we come around. Trust the experts at A&G Services for your HVAC needs—give us a call today!
