How to Clean AC Condenser Coils

Keeping Your AC Condenser Coils Clean

Your air conditioner’s condenser unit plays a crucial role in your home’s comfort level. Without it, there would be no way for your unit to release built-up heat and continue cooling your Fort Worth, TX, home.

But dirty condenser coils can leave your HVAC system vulnerable to several issues. From equipment failure to expensive efficiency problems, you can save yourself hassle and money by taking a few minutes to clean your AC condenser coils.

What Role Does the Condenser Play in My HVAC?

To understand the role of your condenser, you must understand how your AC system works. The cooling cycle is powered by your AC system’s refrigerant, which flows back and forth between the evaporator and condenser coils.

The refrigerant in your evaporator coils absorbs the heat from the air that passes over them, in turn cooling the air. From the evaporator coil, the warm refrigerant gas enters your condenser through copper tubing.

After it enters the condenser, it goes through the compressor to pressurize the gas and spreads out through your condenser’s many coils, where it’s cooled into a liquid form. It then travels back to the evaporator coils through copper tubing, and the cycle continues.

As the refrigerant cools down in the condenser coils, the heat that was absorbed is released and blown away from your unit by the fan on top.

Does Cleaning AC Coils Really Help?

Many homeowners in Fort Worth, TX, pay little mind to their condenser coils and figure that something as minor as wiping away dust couldn’t have much impact on their air conditioner’s performance. Don’t fall for this common misconception.

Clearing debris from your condenser coils allows for better airflow, which means your system doesn’t have to work as hard to remove heat. This improves your unit’s energy efficiency and saves you money in the process.

Cleaning your condenser coils also extends the life of your unit and its parts. When the coils get dirty or clogged it can put additional strain on other parts of your system, causing them to wear down prematurely.

Can I Clean My AC Coils Myself?

Yes! Although most AC maintenance must be carried out by a professional, cleaning your condenser coils is something you can do on your own whenever they need a little TLC.

To get started, disconnect the power supply to your condenser and inspect the coils for signs of damage. If you notice any coils that are damaged, stop what you’re doing and call your trusted local HVAC contractor.

If there are no signs of damage, you’re good to continue to the next step of removing debris from the AC condenser coils and fins. Dirt, twigs, grass, leaves, and other substances can find their way into your condenser and clog things up. Using a coil brush, you can easily remove large pieces of debris.

Next, spray your unit down with a garden hose and apply cleaner. There are dozens of coil cleaners on the market, or you can make your own using a simple solution of dish detergent and distilled water. Allow the cleaning solution to soak for five to ten minutes and then rinse it off.

If you’re using a homemade solution, you may have to use a brush and a little bit of elbow grease to clean your coils before rinsing them off.

How Often Should I Clean My Coils?

You should visually inspect your outdoor condenser unit at least once a month and clean the coils as needed. Most professionals recommend cleaning your condenser coils at least once a year, but if you live in an area with high levels of pollen or air pollution, your unit will probably require more frequent cleanings.

Additional AC Maintenance Tips

Cleaning your AC condenser coils is just one part of a healthy AC maintenance routine. You should also keep the following tips in mind to extend the life of your AC system.

Change Your Filters Regularly

Your air filters are your HVAC system’s first line of defense against dust and allergens in the air. It’s important to check your filters regularly and change them as needed. They usually need to be changed about every three months, but that can vary from house to house.

Schedule a Professional Tune-Up

A professional tune-up includes more thorough cleaning than what you do yourself. An annual tune-up is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to ensure your air conditioner is running at its best and ready for anything.

If your air conditioner hasn’t had a tune-up in the last year, contact the pros at Comfort Experts to schedule a comprehensive professional tune-up today.

Call Comfort Experts Today!

When your family’s comfort is at stake, you need an air conditioning team you can really trust. Since 1962, our family-owned business has provided careful, reliable AC repair services in Fort Worth and the area surrounding it. From minor fixes to major repairs, our team has the tools, technology, and know-how to get your system back up and running in no time.

Comfort Experts is committed to delivering unparalleled service, and that’s why we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee on our work. If your system fails in the same season we serviced it, we’ll service it again completely free of charge. We’re so confident in our ability to get the job done right, we’re confident you’ll never need to use this guarantee. Trust our team to take care of your AC, and we promise you’ll never call another team again!

Need Your AC Fixed?

Call (817) 341-5149 or Message Us!

Are Regular AC Maintenance Service Plans Worth the Expense?

Air conditioners are expensive units. They are an investment for your home for the comfort of you and your family. When you spend thousands of dollars on an AC system, you want to ensure it will run efficiently for many years to come. A warranty can cover you for a while, but how can you continue to maintain your AC unit so that it will last? A maintenance program is a great option to ensure your AC unit is working at optimum levels each and every year. While regular maintenance can cost a little bit each spring or summer, the benefits are highly advantageous. If you are wondering why you should spend the money on regular maintenance, here are some of the top reasons that yearly maintenance on your AC unit is with it in the long run.

Efficiency

The last thing you want is to experience a broken air conditioner in the middle of the hot summer. Regular maintenance is the key to avoiding this frustrating situation. When an AC repair technician comes out for a maintenance visit, they will properly look over your unit and make any necessary repairs before bigger problems can occur. In the end, maintenance will ensure optimal efficiency and extend the life of your AC unit so that is can perform at high efficiency even as it begins to age.

Lower Monthly Bills

The best part about an annual service agreement is that you don’t have to remember to schedule your annual maintenance check every year. The company will contact you when it’s time. Additionally, an air conditioning system that is in proper working order doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the home. This means you can save money on monthly energy bills. The money you save each month is well worth the money spent on annual maintenance.

Exceptional Service at Lower Prices

Working with an experienced HVAC company like Comfort Experts guarantees you receive exceptional service whenever you need it. Let’s face it, no one wants to have to sleep uncomfortably in a hot room waiting for their air conditioning repair appointment the next morning. Many companies are even available for 24-hour maintenance should unexpected repairs be required during evening or weekend hours. Sometimes, signing an annual service maintenance agreement with an HVAC company can also save you money as some will offer discounts on AC repairs or annual maintenance for regular, repeat customers. There are definite advantages to yearly maintenance inspection agreements that are beneficial for homeowners. You will see a rerun on investment for the money spent each year with an air conditioning unit that is reliable, runs efficiently, and lasts for years and years. For more information about working with our exceptional AC repair technicians at Comfort Experts, don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

We look forward to working with you to give you a cool and comfortable home all summer long.

Does Your HVAC System Really Need Annual Maintenance?

When it comes to heating and cooling systems, people have a lot of questions about how to care for and keep them working at prime levels. One of the most common questions is, does my HVAC system really need annual maintenance? And the answer is an overwhelming yes! Many people don’t notice the benefits of annual maintenance because it prevents so many issues from ever even happening. If you’ve been wondering if it’s time to schedule an affordable annual maintenance check for your heating and cooling system, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t put off that call.

Prevent Wear and Tear

Your system is going to go through natural wear and tear just like any major piece of equipment for the home will. But, when you prevent unnecessary wear and tear, your unit runs more efficiently. The comfort of your home will increase, and your energy bill will decrease when you keep up with routine maintenance and yearly service calls.

When areas like coils aren’t cleaned and motors aren’t tuned, your unit will have to work harder to get through the buildup and depleted energy. This causes the heating and cooling system to use more energy and wear out faster.

Keep AC Repairs Away

Yearly maintenance appointments completed by professionals help keep AC repairs away. You can prevent a lot of AC repairs from ever happening. In some instances, you can reduce the severity and expense of the repair by keeping it from turning into something major. The longer you work your system when it’s in need of an AC repair, the further damage you can do.

Plus, having fewer AC repairs not only saves you money, but it saves you time. Annual maintenance is more affordable than you realize, and it pays for itself in a preventative measure. You can schedule these in advance and will find that many companies have programs and plans that are ideal for your budget and needs.

Extend the Lifespan of the Unit

When you extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling unit, you’ll appreciate that you’ll save money. A new installation is an investment, and just like other pieces of equipment with a motor, you’ll want to keep it running for the duration, so you can enjoy the investment and not have to replace it prematurely.

Identify Problems Before They Start

A technician will give your unit a complete inspection and detect any areas that are weak or need to be cleaned and tuned, so they are given attention before they have a chance to breakdown. It’s important that you go with an experienced AC repair technician because they have the trained eye to get thorough and precise results.

Don’t forget to speak to a technician about the routine maintenance that you can perform at home like changing filters and cleaning the debris from the outside of your unit. Between the yearly maintenance calls by the professionals and your efforts at home, you’ll be able to prevent AC repairs and enjoy a lasting unit.

5 Steps to Ensure AC Repair and Maintenance Saves You Money

Getting an AC repair is a smart investment when you want your system to run in excellent condition, as well as keep your home comfortable. It can make a significant difference in the longevity of your unit as well. However, when you want to ensure that your AC repair and maintenance efforts are getting the job done and saving your money, there are a few things that you’ll want to consider. Here are 5 steps to follow so you make the most of the performance of your air conditioning unit.

#1: Don’t Put off AC Repair

At times it may feel like the AC repair can be put off for a while because your home is still cooling and performing fairly close to what it should be. But the longer you put off the repair, the more damage you can do because your air conditioner has many parts that work together. When one area gets weak or broken, it can start to cause a domino effect and slowly take down parts that have to work overtime to keep the damaged part functioning. In the end, putting off AC repairs will cost you more money than dealing with them right away.

#2: Know That Yearly Service Isn’t Optional

If you put off getting yearly service from a professional company, then it can lead to early AC repairs. Your air conditioning service will cover bases such as cleaning coils, testing elements, and making sure thermostats, airflow, and ducts are all working in prime condition. If there is a problem that needs to be addressed, this is an excellent time for it to be spotted and fixed.

#3: Understand Your Unit and the Maintenance You Perform

Beyond having the pros come in for AC repair and maintenance, you should also be doing your part. Changing filters, cleaning outside debris, and other tasks will keep your unit healthy when the weather gets bad. It will also prevent your HVAC unit from working overtime, and that keeps it running the way you expect it. The more you learn about your air conditioner and how to properly maintain it, the better!

#4: Be Smart About Temperature Settings

You don’t want to overdo it when you’re setting the desired temperature because even the newest units will struggle to keep it twenty to thirty degrees below the temperature outside. If you aim to keep it extremely cool in the hot temperatures then consider getting energy-efficient windows and doors, and making sure your home is prepared to hold in the air.

#5: Go with a Quality AC Repair Company

When you want to ensure that each AC repair is handled with complete attention to detail then bring in a professional company. The experts will make sure that repairs and maintenance are durable and add longevity to your unit. The part is, the pros will do it at an affordable price and will listen to the needs of your budget.

Simple AC Maintenance Tasks a Homeowner Can Do

Air conditioners are expensive and complicated pieces of machinery with moving parts and some hazardous materials (such as refrigerant). For these reasons, we’d usually advise against unqualified people getting too close to an air conditioning unit.

But, just as you top up the oil and water in your car, there are a number of things a user can do to make sure their air conditioner keeps running well. By regularly checking your air conditioner you can prevent or delay needing a general AC repair.

Checking and Replacing Air Filters

A dirty or clogged air filter will reduce the efficiency of the unit as the airflow will be impaired. An air filter protects the unit from dirt particles, so using a dirty filter will mean more dirt in the unit, which could cause damage to parts over time. The buildup of dust will make the need for a general AC repair more likely. It will also mean dirt particles aren’t filtered from the air and so the air blown back out of the air conditioning unit may still have dirt particles in it.

An air filter will need replacing regularly and is normally done during a service. However, you may need to change a filter more regularly. How regularly depends on how often you use the unit. If there are lots of dust particles in the air (if you have pets for example) or if you use a poor quality filter, you will need to replace the filter more regularly.

Cleaning the Coil

Over time dirt can build up on the evaporator and condenser coils. Getting the dirt on both your evaporator and condenser coils will impair their ability to absorb and expel heat. When this happens your air conditioner won’t be able to cool air as efficiently, it will cost more to run and your parts will have to work harder to achieve the same air temperature.

Dirt is easy to remove, but you must use a specialized cleaner for the purpose. Check it at least annually, and make sure cleaner fluid doesn’t come into contact with electrical wires. Do the same with the condenser coil in your outside unit, if you have one.

Protecting Outdoor Units from Dirt and Debris

You can reduce the need to clean your outside unit by making sure the area around it is kept clean. Outdoor units are particularly vulnerable as they are more likely to come into contact with dirt and other debris.

Always keep the area around your condenser unit clean and clear, cut back greenery, such as plants and shrubs, and remember leaves, pollen, etc. can clog your machine. Make sure there is at least a 3-foot gap between your unit and surrounding shrubs.

Although regular servicing should be carried out by a qualified technician, there are some simple maintenance tasks homeowners can do regularly to keep their systems running efficiently. These 3 simple tasks will help keep the air conditioning running well and reduce the need for a repair.