What do you know about your air conditioner’s evaporator coils? For most people, the answer is a resounding ‘not much’!
However, these coils are an important component of the functionality of your home comfort system in the summer season.
Evaporator coils capture heat from the air inside your home. They hold chilled refrigerant and are located inside the blower compartment or air handler.
On the outdoor cabinet of your air conditioner, there are also condenser coils. These coils release the heat captured inside of your home into the outdoor air. Both the evaporator and condenser coils form a loop which completes the heat exchange process.
Evaporator coils are important to your home’s comfort levels in the summer for two main reasons. First, their functionality provides the cooling needed to keep your building comfortable even when temperatures are at their hottest.
Second, the evaporator coils assist in the dehumidification of your home. As the coils cool, water condenses on them and that water is safely drained from your air conditioner unit.
Keep your coils clean
Now that you know a little more about the role and importance of your evaporator coils, it’s time to turn our attention to the why and how of keeping them clean!
At a basic level, dirty evaporator coils reduce the performance of your air conditioning unit.
Since your coils are dampened by the dehumidification process, the dust, pollen, and other particulates that blow across the coils can easily build up on their surface.
You need to maintain your air conditioner filters to minimize this problem. A dirty filter will contribute to greater dust and dirt build up on the evaporator coil. This reduces the air flow of the system and will cause a blockage in the condensate tube.
An air conditioner with dirty coils will also use substantially more energy than one with clean coils. It can contribute to operating pressures and raised temperatures. Over the longer term, this can lead to increased wear on the system. This means system malfunctions, unexpected need for repairs, and reduced life expectancy.
When it comes to your air conditioning unit, preventative action can go a long way to ensuring its performance and efficiency! Considering the role of the evaporator coils provides important insights into why maintaining your air filters is key.
For all your home comfort questions and preventative maintenance insights, give our team a call! We are happy to be of service to you and your family for your air conditioning needs.
