Evaporator and condenser coils are a key component of every AC system. When they are clean and well maintained, your HVAC system will run at peak efficiency. However, if your coils are dirty, they can cause a host of problems, including: Increased Operating Costs: If a coil becomes dirty, it cannot provide adequate heat transfer, which will cause higher discharge pressure. This, in turn, requires more electricity, which translates into increased utility costs. In fact, dirty coils can increase energy consumption by up to 37% over clean coils. Reduced Cooling: As dirt collects on the coils, it restricts heat transfer. This causes the compressor to work harder. The harder the compressor has to work, the more heat accrues in the system. The result is an increase in the head pressure of up to 75%, which can cause a loss of as much as 30% of the systems total cooling capacity. This loss will hit the hardest on the hottest days when cooling is the most critical. Shortened Equipment Life: The higher operating pressures and temperatures caused by dirty coils, as detailed above, can dramatically reduce your equipment’s durability and life expectancy. Consistently higher system pressure and temperature, if unaddressed, will lead to the breakdown of the compressors lubricant. Also, acidification can occur, which ultimately leads to an acid burnout and eventual equipment failure. Of course, these failures mean no cooling, and potentially very costly repairs. Air Quality: A dirty or poorly maintained evaporator coil presents major issues that go far beyond the issues previously discussed. Dirty evaporator coils also create a breeding ground for bacteria and mold that can have a serious impact on health and indoor air quality.
