This is a question we get frequently, and it’s one that customers will search online for. Sure, you’ll find plenty of videos with tutorials and “how-tos” that explain the details of cleaning a coil, but they never answer the burning question that everyone wants to figure out: should you clean your coils?
The answer is no, but it’s more complicated than that. Our air conditioning maintenance in Gloucester County, NJ is designed to address this for you, but we understand that customers might want to try this work for themselves. The truth is that the risks far outweigh the benefits of trying to clean the coils on your own. Without specialized training, you’ll be in trouble if you start taking apart your air conditioner, even with the best intentions!
Cleaning Your Coils Regularly
It is true that your air conditioner’s coils need to be cleaned on a regular basis. Think about all the household air that gets funneled through your air conditioning system. Whether you live in Franklinville, Newfield, Washington Township, or Glassboro—you’re going to have dirty air that comes in contact with the AC’s coils.
This has nothing to do with the outdoor environment. Your indoor air can be up to five times dirtier than the outdoor air, which is where all of those contaminants come from. Dust, debris, pet dander, and hair can all come from the people and pets inside of your home and contribute to a dirty coil.
The Problem With Dirty Coils
Can an air conditioner still work with dirty coils? Yes, but not efficiently. This is important, because the AC will continue to try and cool your home even if the coils are caked in dirt or dust, but it’s going to need to run longer cycles and consume more electricity.
This is bad for a number of reasons. For starters, it will ruin the system’s efficiency and run up your electricity bill month after month. This is money that you’ll end up spending which you don’t have to.
Also, the continued strain on your system as it runs extra cycles is going to wear down components in your system and lead it to require replacement early in its lifespan. This is also a bad scenario to be in.
We recommend having maintenance done on a yearly basis so your coils can be kept clean, and so you can avoid this kind of situation.
DIY Maintenance Is Not a Good Idea
And now we come to the crux of our problem. Why can’t you clean the coils yourself or provide DIY maintenance on your AC?
Well, there are two main reasons for this.
- Maintenance is complicated. Technicians do more than just clean the coils during maintenance. There’s an extensive list of components to inspect and clean, and adjustments to be made for better efficiency. Trying to do this on your own is like trying to take the bar exam without law school. It’s just not a smart choice.
- The risk of damage. Opening up your air conditioner without an HVAC license is a disaster based on how much damage can be caused. You could inadvertently hurt the components of your air conditioner, ruin it’s efficiency, forget to put components back, and even void your valuable warranty.
Our team can help! Schedule AC maintenance with Ambient Comfort today so a professional can take good care of your air conditioner.