Proper air conditioner maintenance boosts energy efficiency, saves money

As temperatures rise during the summer, it’s the ideal time to perform coil cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning coils is smart for businesses because it can help ensure that systems perform properly throughout the season and without consuming excessive amounts of energy.

“Coil cleanings save money through increased energy efficiency. With the right products, contracting professionals can take care of condenser and mini-split coil cleanings fast, saving themselves money.”

When coils are not cleaned regularly, particles build up in between, which makes the air handler work harder and the heat exchange process less efficient. Industry-leaders state that preventative maintenance practices, such as regular coil cleanings, are key to keep equipment running at their peak efficiency, save energy and decrease the likelihood of system failures, potentially extending the life of the HVAC system.

Dirty coils also negatively impact indoor air quality. When dirt, dust and pollen are clogging the coils, more of these particles are let out into the home or office along with the cooled air. Uncleaned coils also promote the growth of bacteria, mold spores and other unhealthy organisms that can produce bad odors, allergies and generally contaminate the air.

What steps should contractors take to clean condenser and air handler coils?

SpeedClean’s coil cleaning checklist will help ensure HVAC technicians and contractors have taken all the necessary steps to properly clean a building or office’s condenser or air handler coils. Some items on the list include:

  • Use pressurized water. This is the best way to flush dirt and debris and thoroughly clean the coils, using limited chemicals. Consider using a portable, battery operated coil cleaning system like the CoilJet CJ-125 for cleaning coils and blower wheels.
  • Protect walls and floors during the coil cleaning. Condensate lines generally don’t do a good job of moving a lot of water. Using a bib system, such as the Mini Split Bib® Kit, will safely capture excess water and cleaner and protect walls, floors and furniture from overspray.
  • Treat coils to prevent the smelly “dirty sock syndrome.” Apply an EPA-registered mold and mildew inhibitor to protect against odor-causing bacteria for months at a time. Make sure the chemical is safe to apply while the space is occupied, like Mold Control from BBJ.
  • Don’t forget about the condenser coils. Dirty condenser coils can drive up the ductless system’s heating and cooling costs. Make sure to clean condenser coils with pressurized water every time indoor coils are cleaned.

SpeedClean carries a variety of coil cleaning equipment are simple to use and can be operated by one person. The CoilJet® CJ-125 quickly cleans coils without damaging sensitive fins and makes it easy to clean HVAC coils even in hard to reach areas. For mini-split systems, the Mini-Split Bib® Kit makes coil cleaning quick and mess-free. 

Visit www.speedclean.uk.com for additional education and check out the wide array of residential and light commercial HVAC maintenance tools.