What Happens When an Evaporator Coil Gets Dirty?

Your HVAC system has multiple components that aid in the cooling process, but few are more important than the evaporator coil. The coil helps cycle the refrigerant, which is responsible for absorbing heat from the air inside your home. Without a working evaporator coil, your air conditioner can run for hours without generating any cool air, which spells bad news for your monthly electricity bills.

What happens when an evaporator coil gets dirty or starts to malfunction? As an experienced HVAC contractor in Fairfield, NJ, Comfort Specialists goes through a few possibilities below.

Signs Your HVAC Has a Dirty Evaporator Coil

What could you expect to see when an evaporator coil builds up a layer of dust and grime?

Inadequate Cooling

The evaporator coil depends on having a clean surface to absorb heat from your indoor spaces. Any dirt buildup will reduce the coil’s available surface area and hamper this heat absorption. Your air conditioner or heat pump will not cool or heat your home effectively, and your climate control will continue to worsen as more dirt accumulates.

Longer Operating Cycles

When an evaporator coil gets dirty, an HVAC will have to run longer to cool your home. The longer cycle happens because the unit is trying to compensate for the coil’s loss of absorption.

Think of how long it takes you to drive to your grocery store in your SUV. How long do you think it would take on a bicycle instead? You might get to the same destination, but the travel time will be vastly different. 

That should give you an idea of what happens when an evaporator coil gets dirty. You can try to cool your home with less evaporator coil surface area than the unit’s design intends, but it’s not the most efficient way to do things.

Ice Buildup Around the Coil

With dirt and debris hindering heat absorption, the next problem will be with the refrigerant inside the coils. Without enough heat coming in, the refrigerant gets too cold. As a result, you might see the water vapor starting to condense on the coils and then frost or ice buildup. 

Unfortunately, running an HVAC unit with a frozen evaporator coil can cause a long list of problems, including damage to the compressor. If you’re seeing frost, you need to stop using the HVAC unit and call a professional to take a look at it.

Higher Energy Bills

Dirty evaporator coils require the unit to run for prolonged periods to reach your desired indoor temperatures, which means uncomfortable rooms, wasted energy, and a spike in your energy costs.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

If there’s dirt and debris on your evaporator coils and they mix with moisture, another problem you could face is mold and mildew growth. If so, the blower fan could spread mold spores across your home, triggering respiratory issues in allergic individuals and even getting into the upholstery, ceilings, and flooring.

The Benefits of Keeping Your HVAC’s Evaporator Coils Sparkling Clean

What should you do about your dirty evaporator coils? The best way to prevent problems is to keep a spotless cooling unit, including the condenser and evaporator coils. If you notice visible dirt, don’t wait to schedule a coil cleaning service so that you can avoid the above issues and reap the following benefits, too:

Longer Unit Life Expectancy

Keeping the evaporator coil clean can extend your HVAC’s lifespan. When the system doesn’t have to work too hard to keep your home cool, it doesn’t experience as much wear and tear.

Fewer Repair Callouts

An air conditioner or heat pump with clean evaporator coils will not need as many repairs. Minor breakdowns add up fast. Keep the coil clean, and avoid expensive HVAC emergencies.

Better Comfort

A clean evaporator coil gives the refrigerant ample room to do its work. Your unit will absorb more heat from your indoor environment and transfer in cool air more easily. You’ll feel more comfortable as the cool air circulates faster, too.

Get Quality HVAC Coil Cleaning Services From Comfort Specialists Today!

Are you suffering in the summer heat due to a dirty evaporator coil? Call an HVAC specialist who will guarantee exceptional service. Why not reach out to the experts at Comfort Specialists to get rid of all the dirt around your evaporator coil and restore your unit’s cooling efficiency?

Don’t wait to experience what happens when an evaporator coil gets dirty! If you’re proactive about calling Comfort Specialists for AC coil cleaning in Fairfield, NJ, or the surrounding areas, you won’t regret it. Call 973-490-4881 today!