(205) 418-8486 Request Service

Expert Guide: How to Clean Dirty Evaporator Coils on Your AC Unit

July 26, 2024 | Blog

As summer temperatures soar in Birmingham, Hoover, Bessemer, McCalla, Pleasant Grove, Hueytown, and the surrounding areas, maintaining an efficient air conditioning system is crucial. One of the key components to ensure your AC runs smoothly is the evaporator coil. Over time, evaporator coils can accumulate dirt and debris, reducing their efficiency and causing your energy bills to skyrocket. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to clean dirty evaporator coils on your AC unit. And remember, Brown Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is always here to help with professional AC tune-up, repair, and AC installation services.

Why Clean Evaporator Coils Matter

Evaporator coils play a vital role in the cooling process of your air conditioning system. They absorb heat from the indoor air, allowing the refrigerant to cool and dehumidify your home. Dirty coils can hinder this process, leading to:

  • Reduced cooling efficiency
  • Higher energy consumption
  • Increased wear and tear on the system
  • Potential system failures

Regular cleaning of evaporator coils helps maintain optimal performance and extend the lifespan of your AC unit.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Evaporator Coils

1. Safety First Before you begin, ensure the power to your AC unit is turned off. This can be done by switching off the unit at the thermostat and cutting the power at the circuit breaker.

2. Access the Evaporator Coils Locate the evaporator coils, typically found in the indoor unit of a central air conditioning system. You may need to remove a few screws or bolts to access the coils.

3. Inspect the Coils Visually inspect the coils for dirt, dust, and debris. If they appear heavily soiled, professional cleaning might be necessary to prevent damage.

4. Use a Soft Brush Gently brush the coils to remove loose dirt and debris. Be careful not to damage the delicate fins.

5. Apply Coil Cleaner Use a commercial coil cleaner specifically designed for evaporator coils. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, applying the cleaner evenly across the coils. Let it sit for the recommended time to break down dirt and grime.

6. Rinse the Coils Rinse the coils with water to remove the cleaner and dissolved dirt. Avoid using high-pressure water, as it can damage the coils. If your unit is indoors, be sure to catch the runoff to prevent water damage.

7. Reassemble the Unit Once the coils are clean and dry, reassemble the unit, ensuring all components are securely fastened.

8. Restore Power Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker and thermostat. Run your AC unit to ensure it operates smoothly.

Professional AC Maintenance Services

While cleaning evaporator coils can be a DIY task, regular professional maintenance is essential to keep your AC unit in top condition. At Brown Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, we offer comprehensive AC tune-up services, including thorough cleaning and inspection of all components. Our expert technicians are trained to handle even the toughest cleaning jobs, ensuring your system runs efficiently all summer long.

Why Choose Brown Cooling, Heating & Plumbing?

Located in Birmingham, AL, Brown Cooling, Heating & Plumbing proudly serves Birmingham, Hoover, Bessemer, McCalla, Pleasant Grove, Hueytown, and the surrounding areas. We provide a full range of HVAC services, including:

With our professional services, you can trust that your home will stay cool and comfortable, even during the hottest months. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction sets us apart as a leading HVAC provider in the region.

Contact Us Today

If you need assistance with cleaning your evaporator coils or require any HVAC services, don’t hesitate to contact Brown Cooling, Heating & Plumbing. Call us at (205) 418-8486 or schedule your online appointment here! Let our experienced team keep your AC running efficiently, so you can enjoy a cool and comfortable home all summer long. #WeGotYou

By following these steps and utilizing professional services when needed, you can ensure your AC unit operates at peak performance, providing you with reliable cooling and energy savings throughout the summer.

Why Choose Us?

We stand by our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee

Learn More
handshake icon
BBB Accredited Business
We have been fully Accredited by the BBB for over a year now.
married couple icon
Professional Staff
Our highly trained and certified AC technicians are dedicated to offer 5 star AC service every time.
blue ribbon icon
Award Winning Service
We're humbled to be considered one of the top air conditioning companies in the Hueytown area.
thumbs up icon
Hassle-Free
We worry so that you don't have to. We offer stress-free service calls and AC installations.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Would Definitely Recommend Brown Heating and Cooling!!

They were awesome!! Got to me very quickly and got me all fixed within a couple of hours!! Chad was great too!! He let us know what was wrong before doing any work and had us all fixed in no time!! Would definitely recommend Brown Heating, Cooling & Plumbing!! We’ve been with them for several years!!

Jennifer H.

The Service Was Excellent

We called late one evening after our AC went out. They were very responsive and technician David Monk was at our home at 8:00am the next day as promised. He diagnosed the issue, got the part needed, installed and tested it all by 10:00am. The service was excellent and David was so nice and personable. I would highly recommend this company.

Nathan G.

They Are Very Friendly, Professional, Service-Minded and Competitively Priced

Brown Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is the best heating and air company I have ever used in my 30 years of home ownership. They are very friendly, professional, service-minded and competitively priced. I trust them to the fullest to maintain and replace, if necessary, my home/residential air systems. I rate them 20 out of 10.

Bill M.