If you’re looking for a way to keep your energy bills lower and prolong the lifespan of your air-conditioning unit, keeping your AC coils clean is one of the best things you can do. Since the average home accumulates 40 pounds of dust each year, you’ll want to have an HVAC maintenance company periodically clean your system’s inside and outside coils.

If your air-conditioning unit is several years old and you’ve never had the coils cleaned, it’s time to schedule a servicing. However, if you recently purchased a new unit or moved into a new home, you may wonder what the warning signs are for dirty AC coils.

Your Energy Bill Increasing

While you can expect some variation in your energy bill based on the season and how often you’re using heat or air, beware of a sudden change in energy expenditure without reason. Something is wrong when your energy bill increases despite a lack of change in your behaviors.

Dirty energy coils are a common culprit. As dust and dirt accumulate on your unit’s coils, your AC system will have to work harder to cool your home. Maintaining your home’s temperature with dirty coils requires more energy than keeping the same temperature with clean coils, which results in an unpleasant surprise when you receive your energy bill.

Your AC Unit has Difficulty Cooling Your Home

If your AC unit has difficulty cooling your home, you may worry that you’ll have to purchase a new system or pay for repair. However, a common reason your AC struggles to maintain a lower temperature is a dirty evaporator coil. Your evaporator coil works by removing heat from the air, and when the coil is coated in dirt, it cannot complete its job correctly.

Your Unit Is Breaking Down

Since a build-up of grime on your air-conditioning system’s coils causes it to work harder, it’s unsurprising that neglecting to have your coils cleaned can ultimately result in your unit consistently breaking down. You have two coils in your unit. One is an evaporator coil inside your house that absorbs heat to cool your home.

The second is a condenser coil which is located outside. The purpose of this coil is to release the heat removed from your home outdoors. Unfortunately, if one or both of these coils are coated in dirt, it’s just a matter of time until your unit becomes unreliable.

Your Evaporator Coil Is Frozen

A dirty evaporator coil cannot absorb warm air from your home. Since the evaporator coil has refrigerant inside it, it is vulnerable to freezing if the hot air inside your home doesn’t warm it. If your coil is frozen while your unit is running, it stresses the system, which can cause permanent damage. The compressor is especially vulnerable to overheating and breaking if your evaporator coil is frozen.

Save Money With HVAC Maintenance

Avoid pricey energy bills and the expense of replacing your AC unit by opting to have your system regularly serviced. In addition, preventing your system from overworking due to dirty coils will increase the longevity of your unit and ensure it is operating efficiently. Contact Dryer Ducks for your free, no-obligation AC unit inspection and quote today.

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