Condenser coils are an integral part of your air conditioning system. They’re located in the outdoor unit of your air conditioner—and that means they’re more prone to getting contaminated with dirt and debris than the rest of your HVAC equipment.
In this article, we’re going to explore the benefits of cleaning your condenser coils. Along the way, we’ll explain what condenser coils are, what you can do to prevent them from getting contaminated, and more.
Let’s get started:
What does a condenser coil do?
We’ll start with a condensed explanation of condenser coils. Air conditioners work by drawing heat away from a building’s interior, then moving that heat outside. The condenser coil is instrumental in the second part of that equation—ejecting heat from your home outdoors.
This is possible simply by circulating hot refrigerant through a series of copper tubes under a series of aluminum fins. The liquid refrigerant is much hotter than the outdoor air. The fins are designed to force air to pass over the copper tubes, cooling the liquid before it is recirculated through the building.
When condenser coils get dirty, the dirt and debris act as insulation—this stops the air from cooling the coils effectively.
How to keep your condenser coil clean
You should never attempt to clean condenser coils yourself—doing so can be dangerous, and it can damage the coils and fins. Carrier recommends hiring someone to clean your condenser coils.
There are, however, a number of ways you can prevent your coils from getting contaminated in the first place. Keep at least 30 cm/one foot of clearance around your outdoor unit—60 cm/two feet is even better. Pay close attention to plant growth around the unit:
- Pull out any weeds growing around it
- Trim the grass around it regularly
- Consider pruning tree branches if leaves are falling into the unit
By keeping the area around your outdoor unit clear, you can drastically reduce how often you’ll need your condenser coils cleaned, all while improving the lifespan of the unit.
The advantages of cleaning your condenser coils
Now that you know how condenser coils work, it’s easy to see that clogged coils have a negative effect on your air conditioner. Your coils need to be cleaned regularly. Here are some of the benefits you’ll see:
You’ll save money
When your coils are dirty, your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your building. That extra work comes at a cost—it will take more electricity to bring your home to the right temperature. By cleaning your coils regularly, you can improve the energy efficiency of your unit—and save money.
You’ll need fewer repairs
Components that have to work harder will experience more wear and tear. Even though your condenser coil doesn’t have any moving parts, the mechanical parts of your air conditioner will have to work harder to compensate when the coils are clogged.
By cleaning your coils regularly, you’ll reduce wear and tear—that means fewer repairs and more money in your pocket.
You’ll increase the lifespan of your air conditioner
Wear and tear—and the repairs that come with them—decrease the lifespan of your air conditioner. Keep your coils clean, and your AC unit will last longer!
You’ll be more comfortable
What we’ve covered so far explains why cleaning your coils is a practical financial investment—but it’s an investment in your comfort, too. When your air conditioner is working at peak efficiency, it cools your home faster, bringing it to the perfect temperature. At the end of the day, comfort is what AC is all about—so keep your coils clean, sit back, and relax.
Need to get your condenser coils cleaned? Call Provincial Heating & Cooling. We’ve got all of your HVAC needs covered.