Dirty Evaporator Coil: 5 Signs Your AC’s Coils Need Cleaning
By absorbing heat and moisture from the air inside your home, evaporator coils play an essential role in keeping your space cool and comfortable. Over time, however, evaporator coils can accumulate dust, dirt, and debris, which can affect your home cooling system’s performance — potentially leading to higher energy bills or costly breakdowns. Here at LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating, we’re committed to helping homeowners and businesses stay cool and comfortable all year long. Below, our trusted HVAC repair company outlines five telltale signs of dirty evaporator coils so you’ll know when it’s time to have them cleaned.
We offer professional AC repair and installation services to homeowners and businesses throughout Gainesville, FL. Contact us today to schedule a service appointment!
Ineffective & Inefficient Cooling
One of the earliest and most noticeable warning signs of a dirty evaporator coil is a drop in your system’s cooling performance. Once enough dust and dirt have accumulated on your evaporator coil, it becomes much harder for the coil to absorb heat. Some signs that your system is struggling to cool your space effectively include:
- Weak airflow
- Some rooms are warmer than others
- Warm air blowing out of vents
- Thermostat failing to reach the desired temperature
- The AC system is running nonstop
If your system has been struggling to cool your home efficiently, it may be time to call our HVAC technicians and get your air conditioner’s evaporator coils cleaned.
Spikes In Your Energy Bill
Have you noticed an unexpected increase in your energy bills lately? Well, a dirty evaporator coil could be to blame. When evaporator coils get too dirty, proper heat absorption and airflow are restricted, forcing your air conditioning system to work much harder than it needs to cool your home. An inefficient air conditioner will use much more energy every time it tries to cool your home, which unfortunately results in higher utility bills.
Ice Forming On The Coil
If you notice ice forming on your evaporator coils or any other air conditioning component, turn the system off immediately, as running it while iced up could cause costly damage to the compressor. When airflow is restricted, or an evaporator coil becomes so dirty that it’s practically insulated, the coil’s temperature can drop below freezing. Then, when humidity or condensation comes into contact with the freezing coil, it can cause ice crystals to form. Since a frozen evaporator coil can cause serious issues, it’s best to call our experienced technicians for professional AC repair services.
Unpleasant, Musty Odors
Noticing a strange odor around your home whenever your air conditioner is running? That could be an indication that your evaporator coil is dirty. When dirt and dust collect on the evaporator’s naturally moist coil, it creates the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Then, whenever your air conditioner runs, it circulates contaminants throughout your home that give off a musty, sour odor. Worse yet, these contaminants can impact your home’s indoor air quality and your family’s health.
Constant Short Cycling
An air conditioner turning on and off too frequently, or “short cycling,” can be a symptom of a dirty evaporator coil. This issue typically occurs because the system can’t properly absorb indoor heat, which can cause the coil to become too cold and trigger safety shutdowns. Then, once the coil warms up a bit, the system kicks back on, and the process repeats. Constantly cycling on and off puts an unnecessary strain on your system and dramatically increases the risk of a breakdown.
Schedule Routine AC Maintenance With LIBERTYAIR!
The best way to prevent issues caused by a dirty evaporator coil is to schedule routine AC maintenance services with an experienced technician. Here at LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer planned AC maintenance designed to keep your system running smoothly year-round. During a routine maintenance visit, one of our skilled AC technicians will inspect your system, clean critical components, lubricate moving parts, change air filters, and ensure everything is working correctly.
Don’t let a dirty evaporator coil impact your family’s comfort! Contact us today to learn more about planned maintenance or to schedule service!