How to Properly Clean Your Evaporator Coils

Regular cleaning and maintenance will help your HVAC system reach the end of its expected lifespan. While you may do most of the cleaning yourself, some components should only be cleaned by a licensed professional, including your evaporator. To help you understand why, here our HVAC repair team at Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning shares what you need to know:

Common Problems Caused by Dirty Evaporator Coils

One way to determine if you have dirty evaporator coils is by closely monitoring the indoor temperatures in different areas of your home. If you think that the room isn’t getting cooled to the desired temperature even after your HVAC system has been running for a while, there might be something wrong with the evaporator coils. Dirt buildup will prevent the coils from removing most of the heat from your home’s interior, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to keep temperatures within comfortable levels.

Another way to tell if you have dirt buildup is to check if you have frozen evaporator coils. Dirt will restrict the coils’ ability to absorb heat, which causes condensation that can freeze on them. To minimize the potential for a sudden malfunction, you’ll need to call in a cooling and heating repair technician to address the issue.

Cleaning & Prevention

Cleaning your evaporator coils isn’t something you can do on your own. If you choose the DIY route, they can be difficult to access, and you’ll likely damage some of your HVAC unit’s interior components. It’s best to leave the job to the professionals, as they have the expertise to clean your unit’s evaporator coils carefully and efficiently.

You should also get in the habit of cleaning your air filters regularly, as they tend to get clogged with dirt and dust every few months. How often you change them will depend on a few different factors, such as if you have pets and family members with allergies. You also may want to consider upgrading to higher-quality air filters that can catch more particles so you can keep your indoor air clean and safe to breathe!

Schmitt Heating & Air Conditioning is the leading contractor for your AC repair and replacement needs. Give us a call at (415) 522-0966 or fill out our contact form online to schedule a consultation. We serve homeowners in San Francisco and the surrounding areas.