The evaporator coil is actually the part of your cooling system that does the heavy lifting of keeping your house cool. It’s a copper coil through which the refrigerant passes that absorbs the heat in the air that blows over it. You can find it inside the air handler near the bottom of the unit.
Since it’s the part that’s responsible for cooling, keeping it clean promotes more comfort and better energy efficiency. It starts by keeping the air filter clean and ends with annual maintenance performed by a licensed professional.
Neglecting this coil can result in:
- Poor system performance. Dust that covers the coil acts as insulation and it will retard the cooling process. Air conditioners and heat pumps work by absorbing the heat that’s in the air via the refrigerant. The compressor in the outdoor condenser sends it into the condensing coil and that big fan in the condenser blows air over it to help dissipate the heat.
- Mold or biofilm growth. Humidity condenses on the coil, which provides the perfect environment for mold and biofilm growth. Besides insulating the coil, mold spores can spread throughout your home and trigger allergic or asthmatic reactions.
- A frozen coil. When this coil freezes over because it’s covered with too much dust or mold, it may freeze over. You may notice that your home is getting warmer even though the air conditioner is running continuously. The compressor could burn out, which is the system’s most expensive part. The melting frost or ice on the coil could flood the drain pan and damage the surfaces close to your air handler.
Cleaning the Coil
If you can reach the coil, look for dust and mold on the coil. You can use coil cleaners available from home improvement stores or make it part of the annual A/C tune-up.
If you want the lowest energy bills possible over the long, hot summer, keep the evaporator clean. For more information or schedule a tune-up, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company, helpingYuma-area homeowners with their HVAC systems in the Yuma area since 1952.
